Hair Transplant Strip Scars: Can They Really Be Undetectable?

This below question was asked by a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums and answered by Janna, the lead medical technician for Coalition hair restoration surgeons Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Paul Shapiro.

I would really like to know the real deal about FUT scarring. We’ve all seen the videos/photos from various hair loss clinics including many reputable ones that show patients with almost imperceptible scar lines in the back of their heads. Having researched and read many threads and comments, it seems hair transplant scars look their best 4-6 months post operation (which I’m assuming is when a lot of these photos are taken) but have the tendency to stretch-out/widen as time continues on.

Are we being misled by hair restoration physicians a bit regarding what we can truly expect in terms of scarring? I understand individual physiology, contributing factors by the patient (not complying with post-op instructions), doctor’s skill in closing wounds, etc. all can play a role but, generally speaking, what can one expect from a typical follicular unit transplant (FUT) procedure with a trichophytic suture?

I’ve never heard this before where the scar looks the best at 4-6 months post op. We generally don’t take pics or think about the donor scar because the patients care mainly about the result on the top of their head and they normally say their scar is great; that it’s a non-issue. It’s difficult for patients and clinics to take pics of the donor scar as the hair is too long to see the scar most of the time. Of course, if the scar has stretched, then it’s addressed.

It’s difficult to answer as to why one patient gets an undetectable strip scar while another patient’s scar stretches. Those with great laxity can have a scar stretch even though the same closure technique was performed. So the technique and physiology both play a big part in how the scar heals.

The trend in the last few years is that not only are we producing very, very thin line scars but some patients receive a scar that’s truly undetectable. And, I’ve seen these beautiful non-scars at all stages of healing – 3 weeks post op to 12 months and beyond.

Janna
Lead Medical Tech and Surgical Manager
Shapiro Medical Group

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David (TakingThePlunge)
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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