Question about donor area scarring

[seattlejim]

Hello everyone. I've had three hair transplants, one in 1999, one in 2000, and one two and a half months ago (late May 09). This last one was supposed to improve density and naturalness of appearance. Obviously it's too early to tell about the new hairs growing in on the top of my head, but I have a concern about the back of my head. I have a very obvious bald stripe across the back of my head, which I did not have after either of my previous surgeries. After a few weeks, I went in to see the transplant surgeon to ask about it. He said it might be shock loss and to give it some time to grow back in. He would look at it after the 6-8 months given for the transplant grafts to grow in. I have not heard of shock loss happening in the donor area. It has not improved at all over the last 2 1/2 months. It is very obvious, and I don't like walking around looking like I just had brain surgery. People ask me "What happened to the back of your head?"

Has anyone had this happen to them? Has anyone heard of this kind of thing before? Any ideas on what I can do (I don't think any hair is going to be growing in back there). I'm becoming very concerned that I have spent 10k to look worse than I did before.

I'll attach my pictures to show what I'm talking about, but it looks worse in person.

Thanks for any input.

Jim

[seattlejim]

Hello everyone. I've had three hair transplants, one in 1999, one in 2000, and one two and a half months ago (late May 09). This last one was supposed to improve density and naturalness of appearance. Obviously it's too early to tell about the new hairs growing in on the top of my head, but I have a concern about the back of my head. I have a very obvious bald stripe across the back of my head, which I did not have after either of my previous surgeries. After a few weeks, I went in to see the transplant surgeon to ask about it. He said it might be shock loss and to give it some time to grow back in. He would look at it after the 6-8 months given for the transplant grafts to grow in. I have not heard of shock loss happening in the donor area. It has not improved at all over the last 2 1/2 months. It is very obvious, and I don't like walking around looking like I just had brain surgery. People ask me "What happened to the back of your head?"

Has anyone had this happen to them? Has anyone heard of this kind of thing before? Any ideas on what I can do (I don't think any hair is going to be growing in back there). I'm becoming very concerned that I have spent 10k to look worse than I did before.

I'll attach my pictures to show what I'm talking about, but it looks worse in person.

Thanks for any input.

Jim

[seattlejim]

Another picture

[youngsuccess]

The scar doesn't look that disastrous in those pictures; I was actually expecting something a lot worse. At only 2 1/2 months, it could be temporary shockloss. But it's definitely detectable with your short hair.

 

After two small strip procedures I could still safely buzz down to a #2 guard on the clippers. Now, after my third surgery, the scar is clearly visible at that length.

 

How short do you keep your hair? It might not be that much of an issue if you grow it out a little longer. I'm looking into revision/FUE options since I'm 8 months out and doubt that a cosmetically significant amount of hair is going to grow back through the donor scar at this point.

[Dr. Bernardino Arocha]

Seattlejim,

 

Youngsuccess is correct, it looks like you might have post surgical shock loss. The photos are blurry,and low resolution but it does not look like scar ? Rogaine 5% twice per day can help with post surgical shock loss, or just the tincture of time. It should recover.

 

 

All the best,

[Bill - Seemiller]

seattlejim,

 

Donor area shock loss is common the first few months out from hair transplant surgery. I've had 4 procedures and experienced it the 2nd and 4th. In both cases, the hair regrew by the 4th month. It can take up to 6 to 12 months for all shocked hair to return.

 

Hang in there my friend.

 

Bill

[Severn]

You can do a search on here and see a lot of posts about the temporary shock loss that occurs in the donor area. It's pretty common and as others have said, it starts returning in 4 months or so.

[lovestospoon]

Buy some toppik or xfusion and apply it to your scar. I use it to conceal my scar when I buzz my hair too short and it works miracles. Oh and try avoiding white pillows because it tends to come off.

[seattlejim]

Thanks everyone for the info and reassurance. Youngsuccess, I get my haircut with the #8 clipper on the sides and back. That's the 1" length. I used to use 3/4" but thought that longer would help with my new situation. Looks like I'll be going longer than that (hopefully temporarily). I'm going to try toppik and see what it does for me. I've never heard of xfusion, would be interested in an opinion from anyone who's tried both.

Thanks again everyone!