How Long Before Hair Grows Through a Hair Transplant Scar Using The Trichophytic Closure?

This question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

I recently underwent a follicular unit transplantation (FUT) procedure where the donor area was closed using a trichophytic closure. I’m curious, how long will it take for hairs to grow through the hair transplant scar?

As you may very well know, the trichophytic donor closure technique during hair transplant surgery occurs when one side of the open donor area is slightly trimmed before the section (specifically the outer layer in a double, deep layer closure) is closed with sutures or staples. Only around 1 millimeter of the epidermis (outermost layer of skin) is removed, which trims the tips of the existing hairs without transecting the follicle (or its ability to produce new hairs). By removing this thin layer of epidermis and superficial hair shaft, the hairs will ideally grow through the scar and minimize its appearance.

Now, because the hair follicle is not damaged in a trichophytic closure, the trimmed hairs should continue to grow and cycle at a normal rate. According to cumulative averages, human hair grows around 13 millimeters (1/2 an inch) a month or approximately 0.44 millimeters a day. Unless something is stunting or blocking the hair shaft (which could be a possibility), it should grow through at a fairly normalized rate. However, due to trauma placed on the scalp during hair transplantation, there may be a delay in hair growth through the wound for approximately 3 to 5 months. Also, keep in mind that no two hair restoration patients are the same, and growth will most likely occur at differing rates.

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

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

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