Posted By : Rootzhair Admin Posted Date : 03-Sep-2018 Blog Category : Blog Posts
Eliminating the scars after a FUT hair transplant
Hair transplantation procedures have come a long way since the early days, but even then, the scarring that happens after the procedure is still inevitable. There are two types of procedures that are used today and each leaves a different type of scarring.
But whichever procedure you choose, there has been a lot of improvement in the wound closure techniques along with the procedures themselves. However, the technique that is chosen is determined by several factors and that could include, the hair loss pattern, amount and quality of the donor’s hair and the type of scarring one can expect.
What is a Hair Transplant?
To put it simply, hair transplantation involves removing the hair follicles from the donor site and getting it transplanted to the recipient site. For decades, this has been a common and popular method for the treatment of hair loss.
Types of Transplants
Although there are a few different types of hair transplants, the two most common today are the following
What is FUT?
Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) is comparatively an older method of hair transplantation and is much older than the commonly used and popular FUE hair transplant.
In this procedure of hair transplantation, a large skin area is harvested from the donor area. It is typically from the back of the head but sometimes the sides are also used. The skin of the donor is dissected so that the excess skin is removed and the follicles are also separated into groups of 1-4 hairs. The hair follicles are then grafted on the recipient section and that is typically the top or front of the head.
What is FUE?
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a more involved process where each follicular unit is individually removed with a small punch device. The removal of individual grafts is usually from the back of the scalp. The grafts that are removed are then transplanted in the area of the scalp with hair loss. Once the procedure is done, the donor zone heals in a matter of two or three days.
What are the side effects of Hair Transplantation?
The side effects for both the hair transplantation are common. The following are few of them:
- Hair Thinning
- Numbness
- Itchiness
- Post-surgical Edema
The side effects are found more common for the FUT method due to the more invasive nature of the method adopted.
What is Transplant Scarring?
The scarring in transplantation method can be very severe and will be as a full width lateral scar on the back of the scalp or it could be a minor one as a follicle sized scars in the donor area.
What is the cause for scarring?
Normally, scars are a natural healing response by your body. Scars can occur as outcome of diseases, accidents, or skin conditions and also in surgery, especially in case of hair transplants.
Who all are at the risk of scarring?
Anyone who goes through the transplantation can develop scars as it is a medical procedure that involves incisions. But, some people are more at risk than the others. There are also certain factors that can put one on a higher risk. One of the factors is genetics. Genes play a major role in how the wounds heal and whether the scarring will happen or not. There are certain genetic conditions also that contribute to scarring and also make it more difficult to prevent scars. Age is another important factor. It is also well known that as people age, the ability to heal also gets delayed and the delayed healing may also put you at risk for developing a scar.
Is it possible to prevent scarring from hair transplantation?
When the FUT method is used, it is not possible as the procedure requires a lateral incision and also involves stitching, there is a possibility of scarring is quite high.
If FUT method is the one best for you, you cannot entirely do away with scarring, but can minimize the scar and lessen its appearance.
How is FUT scar repaired?
If you find yourself with a large FUT hair transplant scar after the Hair Transplantation and would like to get it repaired and removed, there are lots of ways that the scar can be repaired.
Excising the old scar
The old scars or the wound are mobilized properly and the wound is stitched and too it is done layer by layer. This is done from the deep layers to the more superficial ones. Usually this type of technique is adapted for scars that of medium to large with width. It can only be done if the surrounding skin is elasticated. This technique makes the scar appear less in its appearance but it cannot be totally eliminated.
The FUE Method
The most common method used throughout the world to remove or repair the scars is by using the FUE method. FUE is by nature minimally invasive and there are also other benefits from the procedure that include minimal pain, speedy recovery and also quick healing that a person can get back to normal work as soon as possible. In this particular technique, the new hair follicles get implanted into the scar itself. But the only requirement for this is that there is adequate blood supply in the area of the scar and to the scar itself and if there is not, the hairs will not be able to function and will die forever.
With the FUE procedure, the scar can be restored in a completely natural way and one can expect the hair grow in a natural way.
At Rootzhair Clinic, FUE is one of the treatments we specialize and we do scar repair also in a professional way. Our surgeons have an immense experience to carry out this procedure and will educate and discuss with you the exact treatment that you require.
