Scar Revision

[TrixGlendevon]

Hello!

 

What is done in a scar revision procedure that isn't done at the end of the FUT in the first place? Also, where do you typically get them done? Would you go back to your hair transplant surgeon (but what are they going to do for the revision that they couldn't/didn't do the first time round)? Would you go to a doctor that is a specialist in scar revision? Somewhere else?

 

Thanks in advance

[gillenator]

You probably want to start with your surgeon and ask why your scar turned out too wide.

 

The main thing about scar revisions is that you have enough scalp laxity where the revision needs to be done otherwise the same result can occur and you obviously don't want that.

 

If you are not satisfied with what your surgeon states, then do some searches in this community and others for scar revisions and also ask for referrals from other surgeons as to who does them with good results.

[Dr. David Josephitis]

Hello!

 

What is done in a scar revision procedure that isn't done at the end of the FUT in the first place? Also, where do you typically get them done? Would you go back to your hair transplant surgeon (but what are they going to do for the revision that they couldn't/didn't do the first time round)? Would you go to a doctor that is a specialist in scar revision? Somewhere else?

 

Thanks in advance

 

During a scar revision, the focus is on removing the scar only. When we perform a hair transplant surgery using the strip method, we can not get the same improvement in the scar as if we took only the scar out.

 

Occasionally we can improve on the scar an the same time as the hair transplant surgery. We call this transplant with scar revision. If you have a poor scar that you would like to improve and transplanting hair right now is not an issue, then the physician can focus soley on improving the scar with a revision (no hair transplanting)

 

Physicans who routinely perform FUT (strip) surgery and have experience are usually good a these types of scar revisions. There can also be somewhat of an art to improving scars as well. Occasionally it may take 1-2 scar revisions with a poor scar to make improvement in it. Also, some patients may benefit from using FUE grafts (from the scalp or beard) to be placed in the scar. Finally, SMP (micro tattooing) can be done into the scar to help camouflage it with the surrounding scalp.

[TrixGlendevon]

You probably want to start with your surgeon and ask why your scar turned out too wide.

 

The main thing about scar revisions is that you have enough scalp laxity where the revision needs to be done otherwise the same result can occur and you obviously don't want that.

 

If you are not satisfied with what your surgeon states, then do some searches in this community and others for scar revisions and also ask for referrals from other surgeons as to who does them with good results.

 

Thanks for your reply. I haven't had FUT yet. I am just thinking about after I have exploited all the grafts, how I would like the scar to be as revised as much as possible to make it small and then I would FUE into it. I am just doing some research into it now though. Can you recommend good surgeons for revisions?

[TrixGlendevon]

During a scar revision, the focus is on removing the scar only. When we perform a hair transplant surgery using the strip method, we can not get the same improvement in the scar as if we took only the scar out.

 

Occasionally we can improve on the scar an the same time as the hair transplant surgery. We call this transplant with scar revision. If you have a poor scar that you would like to improve and transplanting hair right now is not an issue, then the physician can focus soley on improving the scar with a revision (no hair transplanting)

 

Physicans who routinely perform FUT (strip) surgery and have experience are usually good a these types of scar revisions. There can also be somewhat of an art to improving scars as well. Occasionally it may take 1-2 scar revisions with a poor scar to make improvement in it. Also, some patients may benefit from using FUE grafts (from the scalp or beard) to be placed in the scar. Finally, SMP (micro tattooing) can be done into the scar to help camouflage it with the surrounding scalp.

 

Thanks Dr. One question though. Why can't you do in the revision at the end of the hair transplant surgery though? That's the bit I do not understand.

[Dr. David Josephitis]

A scar revision is just the act of removing scar tissue safely. If one takes our scar in addition to hair, then there may be to much tension on the healing incision and it will scar again possibly worse. In the end, it is all about tension. You can only take out so wide of a piece of tissue. If you are only taking out scar, the chances of there being little tension on the incision and healing well is higher than if you took out the scar AND the additional width of tissue with hair.

 

I recommend visiting with an experienced local physician who has experience with FUT. The recommended physicians on the site are an excellent place to start looking.

[TrixGlendevon]

A scar revision is just the act of removing scar tissue safely. If one takes our scar in addition to hair, then there may be to much tension on the healing incision and it will scar again possibly worse. In the end, it is all about tension. You can only take out so wide of a piece of tissue. If you are only taking out scar, the chances of there being little tension on the incision and healing well is higher than if you took out the scar AND the additional width of tissue with hair.

 

I recommend visiting with an experienced local physician who has experience with FUT. The recommended physicians on the site are an excellent place to start looking.

 

Perfect answer! Thank you for the explanation.

[Bill - Seemiller]

In scar revision surgery, the primary and only priority is to minimize the scar. Thus, only the old scar will be harvested, making it easier to close the wound with minimal tension. When someone wants a scar revision but also more hair for transplantation, a larger strip is harvested making the wound larger and adding a bit more tension on the wound. While tension is still considered minimal as top hair surgeons won’t put too much tension on the wound, harvesting a larger strip automatically creates some increased tension, which adds some additional risks of scar stretching.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Bill

[gillenator]

I cannot emphasize enough how critical it is to have enough scalp laxity to accommodate the size of the strip being considered.

 

If there is not enough laxity, it's a recipe for a disastrous outcome of the scar.

 

Scalp stretching exercises can help with gaining scalp laxity.

[TrixGlendevon]

In scar revision surgery, the primary and only priority is to minimize the scar. Thus, only the old scar will be harvested, making it easier to close the wound with minimal tension. When someone wants a scar revision but also more hair for transplantation, a larger strip is harvested making the wound larger and adding a bit more tension on the wound. While tension is still considered minimal as top hair surgeons won’t put too much tension on the wound, harvesting a larger strip automatically creates some increased tension, which adds some additional risks of scar stretching.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Bill

 

Thanks Bill. Can you think of any great examples of threads on here of people that have had very good scar revisions over the years? I can (and will) search for it but I won't know if they're good examples or not until I open each thread and read it.

[TrixGlendevon]

I cannot emphasize enough how critical it is to have enough scalp laxity to accommodate the size of the strip being considered.

 

If there is not enough laxity, it's a recipe for a disastrous outcome of the scar.

 

Scalp stretching exercises can help with gaining scalp laxity.

 

Another reason I want to have a consultation first. I want to see how good a candidate I am and what my scalp laxity is.