Today, it is possible to combat baldness with hair transplant. Still, this has its disadvantages and side effects, including scarring in the donor and recipient areas. It is a good thing that it is also possible to erase the scars of hair transplant.
- There are plenty of reasons why scars occur. These may be because the person scars easily, techniques and procedures for the transplant were improperly executed, or the person was transplanted using older transplant methods.
- Although it is still best to minimize scarring during the operation, scarring could still happen. It is a good thing that scars could now be reduced and fixed.
Hair Transplant Scar Repair and Reduction
- The most effective method is to transplant hair on top of the scar. This portion had been the donor area but must now be the recipient area. This technique will camouflage the scar though it does not remove it altogether.
- Cortisone injections can be used to flatten out thickened scars.
- For scars that are depressed, dermal fillers can be added to level the scalp to the others.
- For irregular surfaces – combination of depressed and thickened – it possible to use laser treatments or dermabrasion.
- Current transplant techniques were designed to minimize scars.Still, if the person has developed scars, these could be remedied.
- Those with several rows of scars – often seen in older transplant methods – can be treated in a way that the scars are joined together to minimize its number. Then, direct follicular unit extraction is performed to obtain follicular cells that could be transplanted directly on that scar.
Natural Treatment For Scar Removal
- There are also natural remedies that could be applied to help reduce scarring.
- Honey can be rubbed directly on the scar.
- Lemon or lime juice can also help reduce scars.
- Another option is the application of sandalwood paste with rose water.
Hair Transplant Process
Hair transplant is becoming more and more popular due to the growing number of people who go bald for some reason. How is it done?
- During consultation, the doctor will determine if the patient is truly a candidate for hair transplant. For those that might still be remedied by other means, the doctor will recommend or prescribe treatments. Now if these treatments still don’t work, then, hair transplant is the only remaining option.
- The patient is instructed to refrain from taking medication and alcohol several days before the scheduled transplant. However, pre-operative antibiotics might be prescribed to prevent graft and wound infections after surgery.
- A sedative or anesthesia is injected to the patient. Topical anesthesia may also be used.
- The scalp is shampooed carefully. Then, an antibacterial chemical is applied.
- The surgeon will begin to ‘œharvest’ a strip of skin from the ‘œdonor’ area. The ideal donor area or patch is that with the thickest hair density. Care is taken so that the vital follicular cells in the donor area are not damaged during the removal of excess fats. The strip will typically be about 1-1.5 x 15-30 cm in size.
- The donor area will be closed using various methods. These days, Trichophytic closure is often used because this causes the least scarring on the donor area.
- The surgeon then punctures the area to be transplanted using very fine needles or very small micro blades. This is done on a predetermined pattern that would simulate natural hair density for a realistic hair pattern.
- The individual grafts are then inserted into place and sealed.
- Typically, this procedure won’t require hospitalization. After the operation, the patient can go home.
- Costs vary, depending on how large the area to be transplanted is, equipment and procedures used, professional fees, hospital fees, etc.
Post Operative Care:
- The transplanted area should be shielded from the sun for up to several days from the operation.
- The area must be shampooed after one or two days to prevent scabs from forming.