Bernstein Medical - Center for Hair Restoration » Scar Thickening

Can Hair Transplant Into Scar Use Cloned Hair?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:14:29 +0000

Q: If you have already had a hair transplant, once cloning becomes available, will you be able to transplant the cloned hair into the first transplant’s scar on the back of the head? I like to wear my hair short, especially in the summer, and also would feel more comfortable knowing there is no scar in my head.

A: Yes, as long as the scar is not thickened, cloned hair should grow just as normally transplanted hair would and would be a great way to address any residual scarring from the procedure.

Although hair can be transplanted into widened scars, hair does not grow well in thick scars – this would apply to hair restoration procedures performed via traditional means as well as those using cloned hair.

Can One Have Hair Transplant to Cover Single Bald Patch?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:54:59 +0000

Q: I just started to lose my hair but it’s just in one spot, like a circle on the left side of my head. Do you ever do a hair transplant just into a bald spot and not the whole head?

A: It is possible to have a hair restoration procedure into a single bald spot. However, it would be most beneficial to first determine the cause of the condition.

Bald spots caused by alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease) are best treated with injections of steroids into the scalp, rather than with a hair transplant. In fact, the transplanted hair can be rejected in patients with this condition.

Traumatic scars (i.e. from an accident) can be treated with follicular unit hair transplantation as the hair grows quite well in scar tissue, as long as the scar in scar tissue, as long as the scar is not thickened (hypertrophic).

Do You Perform Hair Transplant for Hispanic People with Wavy Hair?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:32:00 +0000

Q: I am Hispanic and I have thick, black coarse wavy hair. Do you transplant Hispanics and are there any difficulties in performing hair transplants in them?

A: Yes, we treat Hispanic patients. There are no specific issues unique to Hispanics when performing hair restoration procedures. However, things to consider are:

Hispanics have a slightly greater incidence of forming a thickened donor scar than Caucasians (but not as great as African-Americans)
Hispanics often have coarse hair, but a low donor density, so fewer absolute numbers of grafts may be available for the restoration. The coarse hair, however, will make the restoration appear fuller.

Can Hair Transplant be Performed on Scar Tissue from Prior Surgery?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 10:48:00 +0000

Q: I have had some surgical procedures on my head that left a fair amount of scar tissue. Can hair grow there? Is it a more difficult procedure? Are there any complications?

A: Transplanted hair will grow in scar tissue as long as the tissue is not thickened. Thickened scar tissue can be flattened with local injections of cortisone.

Once the scar is smooth, the hair transplant procedure is relatively straightforward, however a few things must still be kept in mind.

Since the blood supply of the scar tissue is less than in normal tissue, the grafts should not be placed as close.
As the grafts from the hair transplant grow, new blood vessels are formed in the area.
Additional density can then be achieved in a subsequent session by adding more grafts.
After the hair restoration procedure, care must be taken with grafts transplanted into scar tissue, as the scarred scalp doesn’t hold onto grafts as well as normal tissue and they are more easily dislodged.

If grafts are packed too closely into scar tissue, poor growth can result. If sites are placed properly and the post-op care is diligent, good growth should be expected.