How Can I Correct My Hair Transplant Scar and Make It Less Visible?

I had one hair transplant procedure some 12 years ago which has left me with a lengthy single incision scar from the donar area, to me the worse decision I have ever made. I now keep my hair clipped short leaving the scar very visible.

I am constantly depressed and do not know if there is anything that can be done to correct my scaring. I live in the UK and wonder if there is a reputable person/organization where I can seek help and advice. – Andrew
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Dear Andrew,

You say it was the “worst decision you made”, but I am not clear if you are happy or not with your transplanted hair. Also your email clearly shows you are unhappy with your donor scar, but you do not describe whether it is the normal and expected variety or a widened scar. Having your hair very short obviously exposes the scar and if you do not wish to have further surgery then I recommend a slightly longer hair style. You need to appreciate that hair transplant techniques when done according to today’s incredible standards and in the right hands is a million years away from 12 years ago.

If the scar is wider than expected, then it might be worth attempting to revise it. This basically entails cutting it out neatly and re-closing it carefully using the trichophytic method of forcing hair to grow through the scar. If you are still interested in more hair at the front or top of your scalp, then this scar revision can be combined with a hair transplant. Alternatively hairs can be planted into your scar to disperse the straight line look of it. To avoid giving you another linear scar elsewhere, the hairs can be obtained using FUE (follicular unit exaction). This method will still produce scars, but they will be tiny dots scattered and hardly noticeable.

Other than surgery, you may wish to deal with the scar cosmetically. There are a variety of colour products that can temporarily camouflage the appearance of the scar. You can also consider micropigmentation or semi-permanent tattooing into the scar and reduce the colour contrast between your hair and your scar. I have recently met a specialist who has showed me impressive work in this field.

Please feel free to contact me or my staff for for more detailed information.

Best wishes,
Dr. Bessam Farjo
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons
Member, American Hair Loss Association

Bessam Farjo, MD Dr Bessam Farjo graduated as a doctor of medicine in 1988 from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, attaining the qualifications of MB, ChB, BAO, LRCP & SI. He spent 4 years working in the national health scheme (NHS) hospitals in Ireland and the UK training in the field of general surgery. In 1992, he travelled to Toronto, Canada, and joined a training course in hair restoration surgery at the office of Dr Larry Fremont. He started practicing hair in Manchester later that year. In 1993, he co-founded the Farjo Medical Centre with his wife, Dr Nilofer Farjo, exclusively practicing hair restoration surgery and medicine in Manchester and London. They currently operate a busy practice to the tune of over 300 hair restoration surgical procedures a year. Dr. Bessam Farjo is a member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons and recommended by the American Hair Loss Association. Visit Dr. Farjo's Website: www.farjo.com

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