Hair loss can be a traumatic experience for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for those who have scars on their scalp. Tough enough to lose one\u2019s hair, but for that loss to be compounded by visible scars resulting from accidents, burns or surgery? Well, as the song says, ain\u2019t that a kick in the head. Whatever the cause of the scars, their visibility can have a profound impact on an individual\u2019s self-confidence and capacity to live life to the full. All is not lost, however. Advances in hair restoration treatments are changing lives by hiding scars and restoring the confidence of those who carry them.<\/p>\n
Read on to find out more!<\/p>\n
Visible scarring can have various psychological effects on individuals, including decreased self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and negative body image. This impact has been well documented in scientific studies. Researchers from the University of Maryland, for example, published work<\/a> in 2018 in which they showed that people with scars \u2018undergo a remodelling of their emotional state and are more prone to the development of depression and anxiety.\u2019<\/p>\n The effect is particularly pronounced when those scars are highly visible. Scalp scarring made visible by hair loss would fall into this category. It should also be noted that some types of scarring aren\u2019t just revealed by hair loss but are caused by it; cicatricial alopecia<\/a> is a type of hair loss in which the hair follicles are destroyed by an infection, an autoimmune disorder, chemicals or burns. Permanent scarring is an inevitable consequence.<\/p>\n Transplanting hair onto scar tissue on the scalp poses several challenges for hair surgeons. As with any transplant, the relative size of the donor area and the scarred area to be covered are important factors, but there are other issues, too. Scar tissue is different from normal tissue because it lacks the necessary blood supply and elasticity, which can make it difficult for hair follicles to thrive and grow.<\/p>\n Scar tissue also creates an uneven surface on the scalp. Great skill is therefore required to implant hair follicles in a way that doesn\u2019t look odd. It requires extra attention to detail and specialised techniques to create a natural-looking result.<\/p>\n One of the most used hair transplant techniques for hiding scars is FUE surgery. It\u2019s a minimally invasive procedure that involves harvesting individual hair follicles from the scalp and transplanting them to the affected area. The procedure is precise and can be customised to the patient’s individual needs.<\/p>\n The efficacy of FUE is confirmed by several studies. One piece of work undertaken in 2019 by Korean researchers<\/a> looked at the treatment of scars caused by surgery. The researchers\u2019 main finding was that follicular unit surgery could be an effective treatment for reasons \u2018including relative safety, a high transplantation survival rate, and satisfactory postoperative results, even after a single session.\u2019 More recently, Chinese clinicians<\/a> concluded that follicular unit transplants were an effective and safe option for children with burn trauma and cicatricial alopecia.<\/p>\n Hair transplants are not the only effective treatment for scalp scarring. MSP is another safe option for people unwilling or unable to undergo hair transplant surgery. MSP is a non-invasive procedure that involves tattooing the scalp with tiny dots of medical-grade pigment to mimic the appearance of hair follicles. The result is a natural, shaved head look that both looks great and hides scars..<\/p>\n The benefits these treatments offer go far beyond the physical appearance of the scalp. If hair loss and scalp scarring are sources of anxiety and low self-esteem for many people, hair restoration treatments can boost confidence and improve mental well-being.<\/p>\nSurgical Challenges<\/h4>\n
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)<\/h4>\n
Micro Scalp Pigmentation (MSP)<\/h4>\n
Benefits<\/h4>\n