Hair Transplant Surgery Scar Information

When it comes to any type of cosmetic surgical procedure, the main concern for patients is typically how the scars are going to heal and what they will look like moving forward. With hair transplant surgery, whether it’s FUT or NeoGraft, the same concerns apply.

Whether you’ve opted for Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or the innovative NeoGraft method, both hair transplant procedures can lead to minimal scarring. Although these cosmetic advances are remarkably effective in restoring fullness and confidence, they sometimes leave behind small reminders of the journey. Luckily for you, we have compiled professional advice on how to treat and manage scars from these hair transplants, ensuring your path to renewed hair growth is as smooth as possible.

Scarring after FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) or NeoGraft hair transplants can vary depending on individual factors and surgical techniques. With FUT, a linear scar along the donor area is common but can be concealed by surrounding hair. NeoGraft, which uses a less invasive method, typically results in tiny punctate scars that are hardly noticeable. To understand how these procedures may impact your specific case, it’s best to consult with a qualified hair restoration surgeon who can assess your situation and address any concerns you may have about scarring.

The FUT (follicular unit transplantation) and NeoGraft hair transplant methods are both effective solutions for hair loss. However, the FUT technique involves removing a strip of tissue from the scalp, while NeoGraft utilizes individual follicular units to extract hair. Both procedures can generate scars in the donor area, which can be concerning for some patients.

It’s essential to understand that scarring from these procedures is inevitable; however, with proper care and management, scarring can be minimized. It’s best to consult with an experienced hair restoration surgeon who can help you understand your options better.

For instance, Dr. Scott K. Thompson at Utah Facial Plastics ensures his patients follow strict aftercare treatment plans that address wound healing management and scar prevention right before the procedure occurs.

Let’s explore the differences between FUT and NeoGraft donor area scars further and look at some important hair transplant surgery scar information to understand prior to your procedure.

NeoGraft Donor Site Scars

With a NeoGraft procedure where the grafts are extracted one by one in a checkered pattern from the back of the head, the small holes close up nicely within 2-3 days post procedure. Patients are able to wear their hair very short with no visible scars showing. It’s important to keep in mind that with every surgical procedure, there will always be some sort of scarring. While these pinpoint scars are very tiny, if one is to shave their head at some point they will likely be visible. The option of scalp pigmentation is there should they decide they’d like the small white holes to match the pigment in the surrounding skin. Then the scars would be virtually undetectable even with the head completely shaved.

Here is what the back of the head looks like 5 days post NeoGraft:

NeoGraft Donor Site Scars

 

FUT (Strip-Method) Donor Scar

With the strip method, a piece of scalp is excised from the back of the head and closed up nicely by Dr. Thompson so the scar heals to look like a very fine white line across the back of the head. Most patients are able to wear their hair a normal length and completely hide this scar. For patients who like to wear there hair very short, NeoGraft is often a better option.

Here is what the scar looks like 3 months following an FUT (Strip-Method) procedure:

FUT scar

strip-incision1

 

Recipient Site Scars

With NeoGraft or the strip-method, the transplantation process of moving the grafts to thinning or bald parts of the scalp is the same. Once the recipient sites are made – typically on the top of the head – the grafts are placed in each one in a completely natural pattern. In the end, the skin heals around the follicle and there are no visible scars. But at first, pinpoint scabs develop that then fall off over the next 7 to 10 days. A hat can be worn loosely 2 days following surgery.

Here is what the pinpoint scabs look like 5 and 7 days post hair transplant surgery:

5_days_2000_grafts2

hair transplant surgery scabs

 

Post-Transplant Care to Minimize Scarring

While Neograft incisions and recovery times tend to be less invasive than traditional FUT strip procedures, there’s still a risk for potential scarring post-treatment. Following correct aftercare strategies will help minimize this risk further.

Ensure your surgeon provides comprehensive post-operative instruction on how to clean and maintain your hair after the procedure. This includes gentle shampooing and avoiding sunlight exposure as per their guidelines.

Avoid scratching your scalp at all costs even if experiencing itching in the donor area. Scratching could slow down the healing process and worsen any visible scarring.

In the case of dryness or dandruff, choose a specialized shampoo that doesn’t trigger allergic conditions and gently massage the scalp to prevent flakiness build-up.

Aftercare Strategies To Minimize Risks Of NeoGraft Donor Site Scarring
Avoid scratching your scalp
Use a medicated shampoo to minimize dryness and dandruff
Avoid sun exposure during specific timelines as per instructions from your surgeon

Ensure you follow these aftercare guidelines for around two weeks to four weeks following your procedure. Additionally, avoid intense exercises like weight lifting until your surgeon gives you a green light. The sweat that builds up in your hair could affect the healing process and dislodge some of the follicles transplanted into different areas.

With these critical aftersales tips in mind, it’s essential to engage a qualified professional who can walk you through each step of the way before, during and after the Neograft procedure.

  • Proper aftercare following a Neograft hair transplant procedure is crucial in minimizing the risk of scarring. Patients should follow their surgeon’s instructions on cleaning and maintaining their hair, avoiding scratching the scalp, using a specialized shampoo to prevent dryness and dandruff, and protecting the scalp from sun exposure. These aftercare guidelines should be followed for two to four weeks post-procedure, and intense exercise should be avoided until given approval by the surgeon. Engaging a qualified professional who can provide comprehensive guidance throughout the entire process is essential.

Aftercare for FUT Donor Sites

After a FUT hair transplant surgery, proper aftercare for the donor site is crucial to ensure quick healing. The donor site tends to be most tender in the first few days following the procedure, after which it will start to scab and scarring begins to show. Here are some essential tips on how to care for your FUT donor site.

It’s recommended that you avoid sun exposure or any strenuous activity immediately following the procedure since this could lead to sweating and irritate the surgical area. You’ll be advised to wear a headband covering the suture line on your scalp for several days post-surgery.

It’s common to develop scabs within two to three days of surgery, indicating the healing process has commenced. However, do not pick at them; leave them to fall off naturally during showering with lukewarm water and gentle cleansing.

To prevent infection, wash hands before touching the donor site as much as possible and use only light non-alcoholic disinfectants on it. Additionally, refrain from scratching or itching as this can cause severe discomfort and potentially interrupt healing.

If the area is swollen or bruised, you can try placing an ice pack wrapped in a towel on your forehead near the transplant area for 10 minutes several times a day.

You should try sleeping on an elevated pillow and avoid sleeping face-down for around two weeks post-surgery. This helps prevent injury to the grafts placed receiver sites and also reduces swelling around the treated areas.

Once your sutures have been removed – typically ten days following surgery – you’ll generally be able to return back to work or normal activities slowly with extra caution.

Now let’s examine what aftercare entails when undergoing NeoGraft hair transplant treatment.

Aftercare for NeoGraft Donor Sites

Like other forms of hair restoration surgeries, NeoGraft donor sites require proper care for quick healing and optimal results. The following tips will help in post-surgery management for a NeoGraft donor site.

Just like FUT surgery, you must avoid strenuous activity or any other form of exertion, including heavy lifting and workout routines that can lead to sweating and potential scarring.

Keep hats or headbands on for the first few days following the procedure. Keep the area dry for at least 48 hours before washing. After this period, you’ll need to gently wash your hair using medical-grade shampoo and lukewarm water, using only your fingertips to rub into the area surrounding the transplanted grafts.

Make sure to apply prescribed antibiotic ointment regularly as it helps prevent infection and promote healing. Do not scratch, pick or excessively touch the grafted areas as this can lead to scabbing or even be detrimental to healing altogether.

Applying cold compresses to the scalp over the next three to four days, intermittently for a period of ten minutes each time can help reduce swelling. Ensure that you sleep with your head elevated above your chest level; this will help reduce swelling and bleeding.

Now that we’ve discussed aftercare for FUT and NeoGraft hair transplant treatments let’s delve into how hair thinning is addressed during healing.

Addressing Hair Thinning during Healing

After a hair transplant, it’s common to experience thinning or shedding of the newly transplanted hair. This is due to a natural process called telogen effluvium, where the hair follicles enter a resting phase and naturally shed before regenerating new hairs. This can cause anxiety in patients, who may worry that they are not experiencing successful transplant outcomes.

However, it’s essential to understand that hair thinning during healing is normal and doesn’t indicate an unsuccessful procedure. Because every patient is unique, there isn’t a fixed timeline for when shedding will begin or end. While some patients start shedding as early as two weeks after surgery, others may not notice any shedding until four months post-surgery.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to be patient and trust the process. In the majority of cases, steady new hair growth starts approximately three months post-surgery, with visual improvements noticeable within six months post-surgery.

For example, suppose you have undergone FUT treatment for frontal baldness. In that case, you might start observing some mild thinning on areas near the scalp where the transplant took place. This should cause no alarm, as it’s an indication of healthy growing roots pushing out weaker premature strands.

Type Of Shedding FUT Transplant NeoGraft Transplant
Initial shedding Usually starts 2-3 weeks post-op but can vary Shedding may occur between 7-30 days after NeoGraft
Normal regrowth Typically occurs around month four post-op Typically begins around month three

Remembering the nature of telogen effluvium should help reduce anxiety related to thinning and shedding after hair transplantation. Now let’s move onto evaluating FUT and NeoGraft procedures to determine which is best for specific hair loss cases.

For more information on the process of hair transplant surgery, call (801)776-2220 for a consultation in Layton or Draper, Utah.

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Contact us to schedule a hair restoration consultation or call 801-776-2220.

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