By EKalman September 29, 2023 - 1:24am

Hair follicles are capsules beneath the skin that contain and regenerate hair. Blood arteries beneath follicles aid in their growth and regeneration. However, when a scar forms on damaged skin, hair follicles do not regrow. Scars are formed of strong fibrous tissue called collagen, which grows to protect the skin beneath.

This leaves no place for hair follicles, blood vessels, or, in some circumstances, nerves. Because scar tissue is not like normal skin, it cannot accept a standard hair transplant in which hair is put into existing follicles. It cannot be fixed by conservative hair loss treatments.

But you should know - it is possible to get a hair transplant on scar tissue. However, the procedure is performed differently than a standard hair transplant since the skin and tissues of a scar differ from normal skin and tissue.

Let's look closer at how it works on scars, what to expect from the hair transplant results, and what you should know about the healing process.

About hair transplants on scar tissue
A surgeon will graft hairs that are still enclosed in their follicles into the scar using one of several methods, such as FUT or FUE, to transplant hair onto a scar. This allows the hair to regrow and take root once it comes into contact with blood vessels.

Hair follicles normally begin to regrow hair when the wound has healed and the follicles have been fully grafted into the skin, receiving blood flow from adjacent blood arteries.

Hair transplants on scar tissue require continuous monitoring to ensure a successful implant. Because of the initial absence of blood flow to the area, you may require numerous surgeries.

Scar tissue is frequently thicker or elevated as well. A doctor may advise injecting corticosteroids into the region around your scar to flatten the scar surface and make the area appear more natural.

Aftercare and recovery
Most transplant surgeries last one to two hours. You can normally go home the same day as your hair transplant. A larger transplant may necessitate numerous appointments spread out over a few days.

Once the area has begun to recover following the surgery, your surgeon will remove the bandages. They may also use a triamcinolone injection to minimize edema near the transplant site.

Will it hurt?
It is normal to have pain or discomfort in the location of the transplant and where hair was taken. Your surgeon would most likely advise you to do the following in the days after your hair transplant:
- take medications for pain, like ibuprofen (Advil)
- take antibiotics to reduce the risk of infections
- take anti-inflammatory medications, like steroids, to reduce swelling
- take stimulants, like minoxidil (Rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia), to boost hair growth

Aftercare tips
To aid in your recuperation after the hair transplant, your surgeon may additionally advise you to undertake the following:
- For a few days after the procedure, avoid washing or immersing the transplant area in water.
- Take a few days off from work or other activities to allow the area to recover.
- Apply no lotion, ointment, or other material to the affected region unless instructed to do so by your surgeon.
- If your hair was transplanted onto your scalp, do not comb or brush it for at least 21 days.
- Wear as little clothing as possible over the region or leave the area uncovered for a few days while the skin heals.
- Don't exercise for a week or more to avoid injuring or irritating the region.

It’s normal for hairs to fall out of the transplanted area
Hairs falling out of the transplanted area is a usual thing. Hair may not grow in line with the surrounding region at first, so don't be concerned if it looks different from the area around your scar.

When the hair will start to grow?
Hair growth in the scar can take from three to thirteen months.