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This question, from a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Glenn Charles:

So far I’m at 68 days (give or take a day) post-op and I’ve experienced some limited hair growth in the recipient area (I had hair transplanted into a childhood scar) as well as shock loss around my donor scar. Since my procedure, I’ve been experiencing mild sensitivity around my donor scar. It’s difficult to explain. It isn’t painful but it isn’t comfortable either and, on occasion if I turn my head in a certain angle, it can still hurt my donor scar or make it feel uncomfortable. I’ve always attributed this to tightness, etc., of the donor scar. It feels like pulling or something.

Anyway, I’ve been surfing around trying to see if anybody else has been experiencing any odd pain such as weird stinging pain above the actual donor scar and I think I found a post where one hair transplant patient mentioned he had a staple or stitch left over in his donor area. I’m thinking the same may apply to me, which has me worried, and I noticed when I feel my scar there’s a slight thread-like substance felt above the very edge of my donor scar. What is it? I have no idea as I’ve never noticed it until now and nobody has ever mentioned it despite the number of people I’ve had inspected my scar to assure it wasn’t stretching during the initial first month or so.

This question, from a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Glenn Charles:

Five months ago, I underwent a large Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) procedure. The surgery was successful, but one area of the strip scar remains raised and hard. I visited the surgeon who performed the procedure, and he said this part of the closure was now considered a hypertrophic scar. He said at this point I can undergo some steroid injections (with cortisone) to treat the area. Should I get the injections done? The operating surgeon is now in a different country, so should I travel to have him do the injections?

Dr. Charles: 

I generally wait at least 6-8 months before recommending any cortisone (steroid) injections. This is because hypertrophic scarring can continue to raise and thicken for up to 6 months after the operation.

The steroid injections can help flatten and sometimes shrink hypertrophic/keloid type scars. Additionally, because this procedure is routinely performed by primary care physicians and dermatologists, there is no need to travel to another country to get this done. Simply follow up with your hair transplant surgeon and make sure he knows about the procedure and how it affected the scar. 

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning

Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

This question, from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. William Lindsey:

What do you do when a hair transplant results in mismatched angles in your hairline that clump and point different directions? Can you take them out and replant or do you build around? Any ideas?

My general thoughts are, unless the hairs are really misaligned so that you can’t cover them with hairspray, mousse, etc., that we simply pack hair around the previously placed hairs in a second hair restoration surgery. You paid for them already and they are growing, so be very cautious before you dig up follicular unit grafts and replant them. Some won’t survive.

It’s all just like moving a little fragile tree (singles up front) or a bigger tree (doubles /triples behind). I’d think carefully before proceeding.

Good luck to you either way.

Dr. William Lindsey – McLean, VA

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

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Technorati Tags: Hair Loss, hair transplant, hair restoration, follicular unit

Hair transplant surgery is a very important and personal decision in a hair loss sufferer’s life. While some hair transplant patients feel comfortable telling friends, family, and significant others about their hair restoration experiences, others prefer to keep this issue private.

Although modern hair transplantation is becoming very popular and accepted in today’s society, a significant number of patients and individuals researching the procedure remain uncertain about sharing details with friends and family. While the decision is very personal and variable, discussing hair surgery with loved ones is still a highly debated topic within the hair loss community.

Recently, one patient started a new topic on our hair loss forum to ask whether he should tell family about his upcoming surgery. In the thread, forum members discuss whether or not to share the details of their procedure with friends and family or not.  Those with previous experience also offer tips on sharing their decision to undergo hair transplantation with their loved ones.

What is your opinion? You are encouraged to share your experiences and opinions on the following topic: Should I Tell Friends and Family that I Underwent Hair Transplant Surgery?

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning

Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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Technorati Tags: Hair transplant surgery, hair loss, hair transplant, hair restoration, hair transplantation, hair surgery, hair loss forum

This question, from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Glenn Charles:

I had a follicular unit extraction (FUE) transplant of 500 beard hairs into my scar 12 months ago and it’s been a complete failure. It was an 18 hour procedure which was very painful. My hair transplant surgeon bent several needles when trying to penetrate my scar. The grafts were out of my body for 15 hours. Here I am a year later and my scar is the same as before. Do you think the time out of the body was too long for the grafts to survive? I tried to ask this question to the doctor but she said follicular unit grafts can survive up to 24 hours. I emailed this doctor a few times and she won’t reply.

Grafts survival rates do decline the longer they are out of body. It has been shown that a graft can survive up to 24 hours. However, those studies had the grafts in refrigerated saline dishes. I wonder if your hair restoration physician is getting your email because not responding to them is no way to treat a patient. Even if the results are not great.

Grafting into scars is always difficult and very unpredictable.

Dr. Glenn Charles

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

One of the most important aspects of a successful Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) procedure is a “pencil thin,” easily camouflaged post-operative scar. Although careful strip removal and wound closure are likely the most important elements of proper hair transplant scarring, one other important step is often overlooked: proper suture removal.

In many instances, patients are unable to return to the clinic for suture removal, and hair transplant surgeons instruct these individuals to simply visit another trained health professional for the suture removal. However, although hair restoration physicians have control over the timeline at which patients undergo removal with another individual, they have no control over the skill or professional opinion of the practitioner.

Recently, Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. William Lindsey commented on this issue, and explained how improper, untimely suture removal can create an unacceptable hair transplant scar:

We’ve had several recent cases of patients having unremarkable FUT cases at our office, staying for a few days, then returning home and having difficulty getting their sutures removed properly. 

One patient went to a clinic, was told by the nurse or doctor that the sutures “weren’t ready to come out” and was told to come back in a few days to a week. Fortunately, he sent me a picture of their donor area, which was completely normal, and I simply asked them to go to another clinic. This was important because sutures left in for too long can leave small, circular scars around the longitudinal strip scar.

This question, from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Glenn Charles:

I hope maybe someone has had a similar experience and can reassure me with this one. I had my 2nd hair transplant 6 days ago with Dr. Pathomvanich in Bangkok. Like the first time (3650 grafts FUT), I had no problems whatsoever. This time I had a tight scalp, 2100 follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and 600 follicular unit extraction (FUE). I had two transplants in the one calendar year (Norwood Scale 6) but 11 months apart.

Anyway, I came home to UK one day after surgery only to have the worst case of influenza I’ve ever had shortly afterwards, still suffering, I am worried that my extremely high temperature with the onset of this may somehow have affected my newly placed grafts. I hope not, I hope someone can tell me there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

I have had hair restoration patients who got sick with either a viral or bacterial infection shortly after the procedure (unrelated) and everything turned out okay. Unfortunately, you will not be able to know whether or not your infection had any negative effect on your transplanted follicles for several months.

Hair follicles are fairly resilient and my gut feeling would be that everything will turn out well for you. Good luck!

Dr. Glenn Charles

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While proven non-surgical hair loss treatments such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) help to slow down or stop the progression of female and male pattern baldness, only surgical hair restoration is proven to grow hair in completely bald areas. Given the innovations over the last several years, today’s hair transplant procedures are very natural and undetectable by even the toughest critics.

One major concern for patients is the linear donor scar that’s left behind after excision. While advancements in closure techniques such as the trichophytic closure with a double layer suture minimize the appearance of the scar, scarring continues to be a concern for some hair transplant patients. What are the best ways to minimize the appearance of the scar? Is there anything patients can do to assist? How long can you wear your hair and still conceal the scar?

Recently, forum member “Julius” started a topic to discuss the best ways to minimize and conceal the hair restoration donor scar. You are encouraged to join in the discussion and offer your input.

Bill Seemiller
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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Technorati Tags: hair loss treatments, male pattern baldness, hair restoration, grow hair, bald, hair transplant, trichophytic, Bill Seemiller

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

Several months ago, I underwent hair transplant surgery, and I now want to start styling my existing hair (and newly growing hair) as I did before the procedure. However, I’m concerned about using a blow dryer with the newly implanted grafts. Because of this, I was wondering when it was safe to use a blow dryer after hair transplantation?

First, it’s important to understand that using a blow dryer at a cool to low heat setting on low speed will not cause any damage to the native hair.

As far as the transplanted hair is concerned: because the grafts are anchored by day 7, it is unlikely that blow drying will actually cause any loss of the implanted follicles at several months post-op.

However, if individuals are still concerned, it may be useful to look at a similar comparison: although it’s not an “apples to apples” comparison, most hair restoration physicians recommend covering your head while in the sun for the first 3-6 months after the procedure. Because of this, I suppose direct heat to the scalp via a blow dryer could cause a similar phenomenon. Therefore, if patients did want to be very careful, I suppose they could follow the same sun protection guidelines and avoid blow drying for the first 3-6 months post-op.

This question, from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Richard Mejia:

Looking at getting my third hair transplant. Both transplants have been via follicular unit transplantation (strip). The thought of a 3rd strip is daunting to me so I am considering follicular unit extraction (FUE). Should I continue to exhaust strip before moving on to FUE?

It all depends on the clinical look of your donor area, the scalp laxity and the ability to do another strip while replacing the old line and leaving a similar or better result.

If you are going to do a small case like 800 grafts, generally this is easily done with strip while removing the old scars and doing trichophytic closure to improve the result. However, a proper clinical exam and consult would be the only way to assure you got an accurate response based on your hair restoration goals, quality of hair etc.

The advantage of doing a strip is I can generally extract more grafts and give you more hair in one day, provided the donor exists to do so without significant tension.

Dr. Ricardo Mejia MD, FAAD

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forumand social community