Hair Transplantation Scars
Hair Transplantation Techniques
Hair transplantation has made great progress since it was first developed in 1940. Initially, hair transplants were performed using chunks of hairs which resulted in a rough, unnatural look and left large, unsightly scars. These large scars discourage people suffering from hair loss from undergoing hair transplantation. Scars are inevitable even with modern techniques and advanced research. However, these scars are much smaller with much better appearance compared to the first hair transplantation method.
Due to the differences in hair follicle extraction step, different hair transplant technique leaves different scars.
In FUE hair transplantation, hair follicle units consisting of 1-4 hair follicles are extracted using a small, hollow needle. FUE is a minimally invasive procedure which creates very small circular incisions distributed throughout the donor area. These incisions heal naturally, become small pink spots in about 5 days and eventually turn into small white scars. These scars are relatively unnoticeable as they can be easily hidden in the remaining hair in the donor area. This method is therefore suitable for patients who like to keep their hair short.
In FUT method, a strip of skin tissue containing a large amount of hair is removed from the donor area, usually at the back of the head. It is then dissected into hair follicles used for transplanting into the recipient area. However, this method results in a long, thin scar according to the size of the wound created in the procedure. Upon completion of the hair transplantation, the surgeon will suture this wound and the stitches are then removed after 2 weeks. Compared to FUE method, the scar caused by this method are more noticeable, so long hair is required to cover this surgical scar.
After FUT hair transplantation, more patients choose to remove or cover up scars compared to patients who undergo FUE hair transplantation. However, the patients who undergo both methods of hair transplantation often seek treatment or medication to cover up the scars.
Removal of hair transplantation scars
The appearance of the scars caused by FUT method can be lessen or reduced in a number of ways. However, none of these methods can completely or permanently remove the scars, as it is impossible to completely remove the damaged tissue.
The patient may request another hair transplant if he/she is dissatisfied with the results of the first FUT procedure. The hair surgeon will reopen the incision caused by FUT if the patient’s scalp is still able to receive another hair transplant. This is in order to harvest the grafts from the surrounding skin. This method can also improve the appearance of scars from previous hair transplant by removing damaged tissue and with proper wound sutures.
Some medications and steroid injections can thin and smoothen the scar tissue which makes the scar ready for additional hair transplantation for better coverage.
Techniques for concealing the scars
Although there are no methods that can completely remove scars, there are ways that can conceal them.
FUE is the most popular method for concealing scars from FUT hair transplantation. However, it may not be able to perform hair transplant on some types of scars. For example, a keloid scar which is a raised scar with increases in width after surgery. It is difficult to perform hair transplant on this type of scar as the hair grafts do not have access to the blood vessels in the scalp which are necessary for hair regrowth.
Another method used to conceal scars from FUT hair transplantation is scalp micropigmentation (SMP). It involves the deposition of tattoo ink directly onto the scalp with the aim to provide the appearance of real hair and is often referred to as a hairline or scalp tattooing. However, like any other tattooing methods, patients may experience cause some issues when hair regrowth and ink fading occur at unequal rates. Micropigmentation is sometimes used as an alternative to hair transplantation, especially in people with thinning hair but not balding hair.
Tricopigmentation (TMP) is a scalp micropigmentation method that provide semi-permanent result. In this method, the ink is deposited only into the top layer of the dermis. This is in contrast to the SMP method, which the ink is deposited into several layers at a deeper level. The results of TMP last about 6 months to 3 years.
Laser therapy is another treatment for scars. It is often used in combination with SMP or TMP for best results. In this method, laser is used to remove the damaged tissues from the scar surface and to stimulate collagen production in the scar area. Collagen increases elasticity and improves the appearance of the skin and reduces skin damage.
คำถามที่พบบ่อย
เช่นเดียวกับแผลเป็นจากการผ่าตัดแบบอื่น ๆ รอยแผลเป็นจากการปลูกผมจะไม่หายไปอย่างสมบูรณ์ แผลเป็นเหล่านี้อาจจางหายไปและลดลงเมื่อเวลาผ่านไป แต่โดยส่วนใหญ่แล้วมักจะไม่จางหายไปจนหมด การรักษาแผลเป็นสามารถทำได้ด้วยหลายวิธี เพื่อช่วยปรับปรุงลักษณะของแผลเป็นหรือปกปิดแผลเป็น
หนึ่งในวิธีที่นิยมใช้กันมากที่สุดในการปกปิดรอยแผลเป็นจากการปลูกผมด้วยวิธี FUT คือ การปลูกผมด้วยวิธี FUE เพื่อเติมเต็มรอยแผลเป็น และในบางครั้งอาจต้องมีการฉีดสเตียรอยด์เพื่อทำให้แผลเป็นเรียบ เพราะหากแผลเป็นมีลักษณะนูน กราฟต์ผมจะเชื่อมต่อกับแหล่งเลือดหล่อเลี้ยงได้ยาก
เป็นไปไม่ได้ที่จะกำจัดรอยแผลเป็นจากการปลูกผมได้อย่างสมบูรณ์ แต่ก็มีวิธีที่สามารถลดรอยแผลเป็น เช่น การใช้ยา การปลูกผมเพิ่มเติม หรือการรักษาในรูปแบบต่าง ๆ
ไหมจากการปลูกผมด้วยวิธี FUT จะถูกตัดออกประมาณ 14 วันหลังจากการผ่าตัด แต่จะยังคงมีรอยแผลเป็นเล็ก ๆ ที่มีความกว้างประมาณดินสอ รอยแผลเป็นจากการปลูกผมด้วยวิธี FUE จะค่อยๆ จางลงเป็นจุดสีชมพูเล็ก ๆ ในเวลาประมาณ 5 วัน