Can I Shave My Head after a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) or Strip Hair Transplant?

I am going to have a hair transplant soon, however I have a few questions. I have been told that follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS) with trichophytic donor closure leaves a very fine scar that would allow me to shave my head down to a 2 or 1 grade and follicular unit extraction (FUE) scaring is still noticeable when the hair is cut at low levels. Is this true? If I shave my head down, I don’t want a million small bump scars.

Shaving the head is off the table for all strip patients unless they don’t mind displaying the scar. Most FUE patients will not be able shave with a razor either as all surgery results in some scarring. The FUE scars won’t be bumps but tiny visible dots. FUE scars typically allow a much closer buzz cut but there are no guarantees. There are many factors at play including your skin type and healing characteristics.

I have a very good quality strip scar that was closed with a trichophytic closure. With a #3 guard my scar is mildly detectable. Anything lower and it’s obvious. I’ve heard some guys say that they can get away with a #2.

Many patients are opting for FUE these days because yield and session sizes have increased substantially over the last few years and they want the option of a closely buzzed haircut. Others prefer to maximize the number of strip procedures they can get before turning to FUE to exhaust all possible donor grafts. In many cases, the scar can be concealed with FUE using either scalp or body hairs or with scalp micropigmentation.

David
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.

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