Throughout my career as a hair health specialist, one of the most common questions I get asked is: “Doctor, can hair grow back over a scar?” The answer I always give is the same: it cannot grow back naturally, but there are solutions to make it happen, and today on the blog, I’ll share what they are.
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❓ Why doesn’t hair grow on scars?
To understand why we can’t see a new hair follicle growing in scar tissue, it’s important to know that the skin in that area is very different from healthy skin.
A scar is a fibrous tissue that forms to repair a wound or injury in the skin. These marks are permanent and stay with us throughout our lives, sometimes as a result of surgery, injury, or accident.
When scars form on the scalp, not only is there a visible mark, but hair is lost in that area. This can be a source of insecurity for many people. But why does this happen?
Imagine your healthy scalp is a fertile field, full of hair follicles ready to produce hair. When an injury occurs, the body acts immediately to close it, forming a scar that looks like a patch of asphalt. This new tissue no longer contains the components of the original skin, such as sweat glands, nerves, and, most importantly, hair follicles.
In addition to the lack of follicles, scar tissue doesn’t receive enough blood supply, which is vital to nourish any remaining follicles. This is why no topical treatments, lotions, or home remedies can make hair grow naturally in a scar.
🔍 When is it possible for hair to grow over a scar?
The possibility of hair growing back over a scar depends on the type and severity of the damage to the tissue. Not all scars are the same, so a detailed evaluation is crucial.
Broadly speaking, we can classify scars into two main types, and their prognosis for hair growth varies:
🩹 Superficial or atrophic scars
These are scars that appear as a depression or indentation in the skin. This type of scar tends to have a better prognosis for hair regrowth since the tissue damage is less severe. In this case, the area is more likely to retain enough blood flow for the hair follicles to survive and grow.
⚡ Hypertrophic or keloid scars
These scars are characterized by being raised, thick, and bulky. They form due to an excessive production of collagen during the healing process. In these cases, hair growth is much more difficult because the tissue is very dense and generally has poor blood circulation.
However, in some specific cases and with the right technique, good results can be achieved, although not always with the same density as other scars.
🔑 A crucial step: professional assessment
Understanding the nature of your scar is the first step in determining if it is viable for hair to grow back. The condition of the skin, its elasticity, and blood flow are key factors that only a specialist can properly assess.
In my consultation, I evaluate key aspects such as:
- Scar type. The first step is to analyze whether the scar is superficial or keloid. This directly influences the technique to be used and the treatment prognosis.
- Vascularization. The next step is to assess blood flow in the scar area. Adequate blood circulation is essential for the follicles to receive the nutrients they need to survive and begin to produce hair.
- Tissue condition. The next stage involves analyzing the elasticity and thickness of the skin. Healthy and flexible tissue is more receptive to professional treatment.
- Donor area assessment. In the event you opt for a transplant, we need to evaluate the donor area, which is typically the nape of the neck. This is important to ensure that the area is dense and healthy enough to provide the follicles needed for a hair transplant.
💉 Hair transplant as a definitive solution
While natural hair growth in a scarred area is not possible, the good news is that hair transplant is a proven and effective solution for restoring your hair. At Hairfix, we’ve helped many patients restore density in these areas, improving not only their appearance but also their self-esteem.
Hair transplant over a scar involves extracting healthy hair follicles from a donor area and transplanting them into the scar area. Over time, the transplanted follicles adapt and begin to grow hair naturally.
This process is not as simple as a transplant in an area with androgenic alopecia, as scar tissue presents challenges that professionals must address. That’s why, at Hairfix, we apply specialized techniques to ensure follicle survival, compensating for difficulties such as poor vascularization and skin stiffness.
Throughout my career as a hair health specialist, I’ve witnessed the transformation of my patients. Seeing how that scar, which once made them self-conscious, virtually disappears thanks to new hair is one of the greatest satisfactions.
📊 What is the success rate of a hair transplant on a scar?
It’s natural to wonder how well the transplant will work in your case. The success of a hair transplant on scars varies, but with the modern techniques we use at Hairfix, substantial hair growth can be achieved, ranging from 50% to 90% success.
It’s important to understand that the success rate may be lower than that of a transplant in a typical case of baldness, where the skin is healthy. However, in the context of scar tissue, which has reduced blood flow and lacks follicles, achieving growth of 50% to 90% is an excellent and transformative result.
⏳ When is the best time for a hair transplant on a scar?
One of the most common questions my patients have is when is the best time to perform the transplant. The key is the regeneration of the scar. While a superficial wound can heal in the first week, the internal tissue of a scar takes much longer to mature.
In the context of a hair transplant, we must wait for the scar tissue to be fully regenerated, as only then can we guarantee the success of the procedure.
The healing process of a scar takes time. During the first month, cellular regeneration begins. The body works to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissue. During this phase, the scar often has a pink or purple color.
After the first month, up to a year or more, the scar continues its maturation process. You’ll notice how its color gradually lightens, and its appearance becomes less noticeable.
Since the recovery of a scar is a slow process, I recommend being patient and waiting for the scar to be fully regenerated before scheduling the transplant. This allows us to ensure the best possible results and a higher success rate.
🕒 How long does it take for transplanted hair to grow?
Once the transplant is done, the new hair follows its own growth cycle, which generally takes between 6 and 8 months after the procedure. In the case of transplants in scarred areas, this period may be a little longer, and in some cases, more than one session may be needed to achieve the desired density, especially in large or deep scar areas.
The good news is that the transplanted hair from the donor area is genetically different from the hair affected by androgenic alopecia. Therefore, it is not susceptible to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for hair loss. This means that once the transplanted hair grows, it will not fall out easily, providing a permanent solution.
🌱 How can I increase the chances of success of a hair transplant in a scarred area?
It’s natural to wonder if there’s anything else you can do to ensure the best possible result. As I mentioned, scar tissue has poor blood circulation, which can compromise follicle survival. This is where complementary treatments come in to help prepare the “ground” for surgery.
One of my favorite treatments, due to its effectiveness, is mesotherapy. This non-invasive procedure consists of microinjections of a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly into the scalp.
In the case of scars, mesotherapy helps to:
- Improve blood flow. Mesotherapy stimulates microcirculation in the area, which is vital for the transplanted follicles to receive the nutrients and oxygen they need to survive and grow.
- Strengthen follicles. The nutrients injected help strengthen both the remaining healthy follicles and those to be transplanted, creating a healthier environment for hair growth.
- Significantly increase success rates. Combining the transplant with mesotherapy not only increases the chances of success but also achieves a denser and more natural result.
📅 Take the first step toward transformation: schedule your appointment at Hairfix
If you have a scar on your scalp and are wondering if a hair transplant is an option for you, I invite you to schedule a consultation at Hairfix. Together, we’ll evaluate your case and find the ideal solution for you.
