Bernstein Medical - Center for Hair Restoration » Scar Tissue

In Hair Transplant Repair, Can Follicular Unit Extraction Be Used To Remove Hair Plugs?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:23:36 +0000

Q: I was wondering if it was possible to use Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) on the old plugs instead of graft excision.

A: Graft excision generally works better than FUE in removing old plugs and mini-grafts. In these grafts, the hair is not aligned due to the scar tissue that forms from the large recipient sites. Because the hair direction is altered from the scar tissue, there is much more damage when the grafts are removed with FUE.

Another benefit of graft excision is that we can remove the underlying scar tissue and improve the appearance of the skin.

Finally, graft excision sites are sutured closed so they heal with an imperceptible scar. FUE sites are left open and the white scars at the hairline can be visible.

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).

In Hair Transplant Repair, Can You Remove Plugs by Follicular Unit Extraction?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Wed, 02 May 2007 06:49:00 +0000

Q: Can I have plugs removed by FUE (follicular unit extraction) which would probably result in less scarring – but would probably take more time and be more expensive.

A: Follicular units in a plug are already compressed and scarred down. Trying to remove them individually will result in a worse cosmetic outcome as the underlying scar tissue will not be removed.

In addition, extraction of individual follicular units from scar tissue is more likely to cause damage to the hair follicles. Removing the entire graft is generally better for these reasons.

In Hair Transplant Repair, Can You Repair Scars from Old "Plug" Hair Transplant?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Tue, 01 May 2007 06:24:00 +0000

Q: I had an old hair transplant and I’m hoping to remove these plugs and of course am concerned how much additional scarring would result. I’m wondering if removal of the total hair plugs (which are perhaps 2 or 3 mm in diameter) by coring them out would result in a lot of additional scarring.

A: It will significantly reduce the scarring.

The reason is that the round disc of scar tissue at the bottom of the graft from prior plug hair transplants will be removed and the normal skin edges will be brought together resulting in a barely perceptible fine line scar.

See the Graft Excision in Hair Transplants page on Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration website.

Can Hair Transplant Correct Hair Loss From Facelift?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:43:41 +0000

Q: I have had a minor facelift operation and have lost a bit of hair. Have you heard of this before? The areas around the scars are the most effected. What treatments are best for this?

A: Hair loss after a brow, or face lift, is quite common. If it is cosmetically bothersome, a localized hair transplant can correct the problem.

The hair can be transplanted directly into the scar (if the scar is flat) and into any surrounding areas of thinning. The complete correction may take more than one hair restoration session.