Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP) Tricopigmentation Laser Treatment Scar Revision Surgery Cosmetic Concealers

Hair transplants are an extremely effective surgical treatment for getting your hair back. The surgery has provided life changing results to a lot of bald and thinning domes.

Even so, since it’s introduction there has always been that one glaring drawback- the scars it leaves behind after the surgery. This issue has plagued a lot of patients and put those who were considering a hair transplant off.

Now there are a few methods to hide those scars, but it’s important to keep expectations in check. There is no guarantee that these methods will be a success for yourself. What has worked for some patients, might not work as effectively for you.

Whilst scarring can be minimised and hidden, there is always the chance that it will remain even after using the best techniques to hide and cover it up.

Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP)

Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP) uses small amounts of pigments via a microneedle to give the impression of real hair follicles, with the help of a precise computer system. It is a process that it quite Similar to tattooing.

In terms of using SMP for hiding hair transplant scars, the pigment is placed on the scar as dots matching the density and colour of the surrounding area on the scalp.

The results will give off the appearance of someone who has shaved his hair down and the dots will blend in to minimise the appearance of the scar. If the hair is grown out, then the results are more likely to give out the illusion of thicker hair and conceal the scar underneath the hair.

Rarely would pigmentation be added only to the the scar however, it would also be applied to the surrounding area in order for it to blend and look as natural as possible.

Pros Works with various hair styles: Hides the scar with shorter buzz cut and shades underneath longer hairstyles

Works with various hair styles: Hides the scar with shorter buzz cut and shades underneath longer hairstyles Permanent: SMP can last on the scalp for 4-6 years but it does vary. It can withstand all weather conditions and will not rub off with rain or sweat etc.

Permanent: SMP can last on the scalp for 4-6 years but it does vary. It can withstand all weather conditions and will not rub off with rain or sweat etc. Can conceal different scars: Whether FUT, FUE or Plug scars.

Can conceal different scars: Whether FUT, FUE or Plug scars. Rather painless: It hurts even less then regular tattoos and much less than hair transplants. Able to use local anaesthetic to numb the pain even more.

Rather painless: It hurts even less then regular tattoos and much less than hair transplants. Able to use local anaesthetic to numb the pain even more. Instant results: Following the short recovery time 24-48 hours where the scalp is red, the results are displayed instantly. Cons Costly: SMP is not a cheap procedure. It’s price depends on which country and clinic you go to. Scar treatment is cheaper than the usual procedure of covering the scalp. It is usually between $1200-$2500 in the US.

Costly: SMP is not a cheap procedure. It’s price depends on which country and clinic you go to. Scar treatment is cheaper than the usual procedure of covering the scalp. It is usually between $1200-$2500 in the US. Permanent: If you are unhappy with the results, you will be stuck with it for 4-6 years. Otherwise will need to remove it through laser treatment.

Permanent: If you are unhappy with the results, you will be stuck with it for 4-6 years. Otherwise will need to remove it through laser treatment. Several sessions: Pigment applied on the scalp works well but this not the case with scars.Scars consist of thick layers of tissue. Therefore it would require several sessions in order to ensure the pigment has reached the correct depth and gives off a natural look.

Several sessions: Pigment applied on the scalp works well but this not the case with scars.Scars consist of thick layers of tissue. Therefore it would require several sessions in order to ensure the pigment has reached the correct depth and gives off a natural look. Top up sessions: Pigments will last for a long time, but with time and depending of the patients lifestyle might require a top up sessions.

Top up sessions: Pigments will last for a long time, but with time and depending of the patients lifestyle might require a top up sessions. Only an illusion: SMP will not add texture to the scalp, meaning if you were to touch the area where it’s been applied, then it will still feel smooth.

Tricopigmentation

Tricopigmentation is a very similar technique to SMP. The difference is that the pigmentation used differs as its designed to remain for a limited time.

Pros Trial period: Tricopigmentation uses a different pigment than SMP, allowing you to test the look before fully committing to SMP. Cons Limited time: Tricopigmentation pigment will only last for 12-24 Months. SMP will last far longer before fading.

Laser Treatment

Throughout the years, laser treatments have been a common procedure to get rid of those tattoo mistakes. As these techniques continue to improve, Fraxel and Vbeam laser treatments are a promising method to minimise scars left over by hair transplants.

Traditional methods would use deep chemical peeling, conventional lasers or abrasion therapies but these would not produce effective results and at worse could destroy the surrounding healthy tissue.

Modern Laser treatment work by removing the damaged skin on the surface and moves deep into the skin to stimulate the production of new collagen to enhance the scars elasticity, tone and texture of the damaged skin. The laser treatments of Fraxel and Vbeam ensure that the skin tissues remain intact, whilst reducing the pain and recovery period.

Pros Quick treatment: Laser treatments on scars will only take around 15-20 mins per session.

Quick treatment: Laser treatments on scars will only take around 15-20 mins per session. Safe: Treatments such as Fraxel lasers are FDA approved. It’s argued by dermatologist such as Dr Vic A Narurkar that Fraxel provide better results to treat scars of any kind than any other methods.

Safe: Treatments such as Fraxel lasers are FDA approved. It’s argued by dermatologist such as Dr Vic A Narurkar that Fraxel provide better results to treat scars of any kind than any other methods. Quick recovery period: The downtown is usually around a week. Once the redness and throbbing has gone down and the skin has toughened up. Cons Painful: As with all laser treatments, they can be painful. It can be described as getting stung by bees. Ofcourse it’s all subjective and depends on ones pain threshold. There is the use of numbing cream to ease the pain however.

Painful: As with all laser treatments, they can be painful. It can be described as getting stung by bees. Ofcourse it’s all subjective and depends on ones pain threshold. There is the use of numbing cream to ease the pain however. Costly: The cost vary depending on location and the extend of the scarring. It costs around $1500-$2000 per treatment.

Costly: The cost vary depending on location and the extend of the scarring. It costs around $1500-$2000 per treatment. Repeated sessions: Might require several sessions to achieve the best possible results.

Scar Revision Surgery

There are two forms of revision surgeries available for the scars left from hair transplants. One is through revision; meaning changing or removing the scar.

The other is by camouflage; where hair is transplanted into the scar. This is a common method used for those who have a scar from a FUT transplant. They undertake an FUE transplant. Hair follicles are taken from a donor area and placed into the scar.

Pros Permanent: If the surgery is successful, the scar will be concealed permanently.

Permanent: If the surgery is successful, the scar will be concealed permanently.

Flexible: Can be used to treat various different scars. Cons More issues: The implanted hair will conceal the scar but you will be left with new scars from FUE, although less noticeable, it’s not ideal.

More issues: The implanted hair will conceal the scar but you will be left with new scars from FUE, although less noticeable, it’s not ideal. No guarantees: Some scars are too thick. Will need to be flattened with cortisone injections. Depressed scars might need to be raised with dermal fillers and an irregular surface will need to be smoothed out with dermabrasion.

No guarantees: Some scars are too thick. Will need to be flattened with cortisone injections. Depressed scars might need to be raised with dermal fillers and an irregular surface will need to be smoothed out with dermabrasion. Poor retention rate: Scar tissue is not as robust as healthy skin, therefore the retention rate of transplanted hair can be low.

Cosmetic Concealers

There are several cosmetic concealers that are applied topically to hide the scars.

Hair Fibres

Hair fibres are made from a protein known as Keratin. This is the same protein that is found in real hair. These are sprinkled onto the scalp and latch onto existing hair, adding volume and thickness to the existing hair whilst covering bald and thinning spots. I myself use this method to hide my FUT scar.

Pros Cheap: Hair fibres are cheap and can be brought online or offline.

Cheap: Hair fibres are cheap and can be brought online or offline. Quick and easy: Can be applied quickly and easily. Also available in several different hair colours. Cons Need hair. Need some sort of hair around the scar for the fibres to grab on.

Need hair. Need some sort of hair around the scar for the fibres to grab on. Not permanent: Can be rubbed off if touched or from windy conditions, not waterproof or sweat-proof.

Not permanent: Can be rubbed off if touched or from windy conditions, not waterproof or sweat-proof. Messy: Can make a mess in the sink when applied.

DermaMatch

DermaMatch is a cosmetic hair loss concealer. It’s a hard packed power that colours your scalp to match the hair colour. It covers the hairs and thickens them, giving the illusion of thick full hair.

Pros Waterproof and sweat proof: It’s biggest selling point. Comes in several different colours also.

Waterproof and sweat proof: It’s biggest selling point. Comes in several different colours also. Cheaper long term: Although the price is more than other concealers, it can last up to 8 months.

Cheaper long term: Although the price is more than other concealers, it can last up to 8 months. Safe: It contains emollients, botanical ingredients that soothe and moisturize. With safe colorants and no hair dye. Cons Steep learning curve: Requires time and a couple of tries before you achieve the desired look.

Steep learning curve: Requires time and a couple of tries before you achieve the desired look. Accessibility: Not as accessible and doesn’t give a natural appearance as other concealers.

Eyebrow Pencil

An eyebrow pencil is a cosmetic product that is usually used to fill in and define eyebrows. They contain special ingredients that apply colour with precise accuracy.

Pros Cheap: Is available everywhere and can be brought fairly cheap.

Cheap: Is available everywhere and can be brought fairly cheap. Quick and easy: It doesn’t get any easier and extremely precise. Cons Not permanent: Can be rubbed off and is not water/sweat proof.

What Are Hair Transplant Scars?

Hair loss surgery has come a long way since it’s introduction in Japan and later break out in New York.

Yet, it is still a surgical procedure and as so will inevitable come with a few drawbacks, most notably scarring.

Scars are depressions or indentations caused on the skin after an incisions have been made during surgery. These scars are formed due to the healing process.

Nowadays, there are two forms of hair transplants surgeries that are available for patients. Each will cause different forms of scarring.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

This transplant will surgically remove a stripe from the scalp that will act as the donor area. Usually this is the back of the scalp.

Once the hair stripe has been removed, the hair follicles grafts are extracted and analysed to ensure the most suitable hair follicles are chosen to be inserted in the recipient transplanted area.

The donor area is then stitched up together by using staples, silk or sutures.

This will leave a scar from ear to ear in a shape of a ‘smile’ varying in different lengths and depths depending on the size of the donor area.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

This transplant will extract hair follicles from the donor area. Usually this is the back and sides of the scalp.

A hair follicles graft will be removed individually with a micro punch tool. This leaves a small round 1 millimetre in diameter scar.

Once healed these will become scars of tiny white dots. The procedure is conducted using local anesthesia and no stitches.

Plug scars

This is a form of scarring cause from pre 1990 hair transplants.

Hair was extracted and inserted into the recipient area in large clusters. Often resembling ‘dolls’ hair.

This form of surgery left a significant scarring on the donor area.

Why Is It an Issue?

Hair transplants scars remain leaving an unpleasant sight to many men, forcing them trying to try and hide their scars; after previously attempting to hide their baldness. Defeating the object of having a hair transplant to start off with.

Hair will not grow out of the scar and with age, the skin will also begin to sag; causing the scar to become more visible.

Are All Hair Transplant Scars the Same?

There are several factors to consider when dealing with hair transplant scars. They may vary from case to case, depending on various factors:

The patient: Each and every patient is different. All will experience scarring differently depending on how well the body heals.

The type of surgery: Different surgeries will cause different scars.

The expertise of the surgeon: Some surgeons expertise lie in ensuring scarring is keep to a minimum. So do your due diligence before committing to a hair transplant.

The donor area: If further hair loss is experienced in the donor area, then the scarring will appear far more noticeable.