Strip Scar - Feel

[Mac1]

Can those of you with a strip scar describe what it feels like when you run your hands over it?

 

Is it a massive bump? Subtle? Very noticeable? Barely noticeable?

 

I realize it might be difficult, just trying to get a general idea.

 

I also realize that it may depend on the surgeon and individual scar.

 

Once again, just trying to get a general idea.

[mmhce]

It depends on:

 

 

1. individual healing characteristics, (amount of deposition of collagen, which may be linked to genetic factors of race etc.)
   
2. as well as the size of the strip removed,
   
3. as well as skill of surgeon
   
4. type of enclosure (deep layer, double suturing cf. none)
   
5. superficial closure (stitches vs. staples)
   

 

 

May feel like a ridge or slight bump or barely nothing.

 

Feel may be more linked to size/width of donor scar.

[TakingThePlunge]

Funny, I haven't really thought about feeling my scar in quite a while. I just ran my fingers over the length of my scar and I can perceive little to no difference in texture.

 

After both of my transplants, the bumpy feeling lasted so long that I feared it would remain forever. In my experience, the scar was raised for up to 9 months.

 

Hope this helps!

[Mac1]

Thanks guys!

 

These are the type of responses I was looking for. Wonder if anyone else cares to share.

 

I am just a little insecure about a girl running her hands over my head and wondering what the huge road bump was.

 

Seems like a great surgeon can help the case.

[HARIRI]

MMHCE, you wrote that one of the main factors for the scar appearance is

 

1. superficial closure (stitches vs. staples)
   

 

Which is better for the scar? Stitches or stables???

[anyong22]

HARIRI: From what I hear staples are far superior to the sutures when it comes to causing less scaring.

 

MMHCE: When you say other genetic factors and race affect the size and serviceability of a scar--- are there certain races, skin shades, hair colors etc that lead to for the most part better or less noticeable scares than other races, skin shades and hair colors?

[HARIRI]

Anyong 22, I guess the info you gave is a bit wrong, thats from ehow.com

 

Seems stitches (Sutures) are superior to stables...

 

Read this...

 

 

Staples and Sutures

 

 

 

 

When the surgeon removes the graft of skin and hair follicles from the back of your head, she will close the donor area with either metal staples or sutures made of nylon or synthetic monofilaments.

 

Complications

 

 

 

 

Both staples and sutures can cause complications like swelling or itching during the healing process. These symptoms are more common with metal staples than with sutures.

 

Scarring

 

 

 

Most scarring caused by hair transplant surgery is hidden under your hair. Staples can cause thin scars of about 1.78 millimeters in width. Sutures cause scars with a width of 1.42 millimeters, according to "A New Suture for Hair Transplantation."

 

Considerations

 

 

In most cases, sutures are absorbable, so they will dissolve into your scalp. Metal staples require a followup visit to your surgeon in order to have them removed.

 

 

 

 

Read more:

Staples Vs. Sutures in Hair Transplants | eHow.com Staples Vs. Sutures in Hair Transplants | eHow.com

 

 

[largechris]

To answer your question directly -

 

No, not at all. Can't feel it, or detect it, and even my wife can barely find it without a really really close look.

[aseda1979]

Hariri,

this is the site where both closing techniques are discussed ( staples and sutures)

New Suture for Hair Transplant Surgery, Poliglecaprone 25 | Bernstein Medical - Center for Hair Restoration

apparently sutures left scars that were smaller in width than staples

[biscuit]

Mine feels completely normal. You wouldn't be able to find it by feel.

 

From everything I've seen over the past 5 or 6 years, staples give a flatter scar. Sutures tend to bunch up the skin causing a ridge like you find on a baseball. But the most important thing with either technique is to choose a great clinic with a lot of experience and lots of proven results.