Will hair grow on the scar after craniotomy? (photo)

Question

I had 2 craniotomies in 2013. My scull has a lot of stitches , and unfortunately they protrude through the skin of forehead. Because hair doesn't grow on my scars, I don't have enough hair to cover it. I did fat injection into my forehead, but it didn't work. Is there any possibility to grow hair on the scars area?

Michael Vories, MD · Answer

It all depends on the scar.  Unlike normal tissue, scar tissue is variable in it's blood supply.  Sometimes hair grafts placed in the scar tissue grow well, and sometimes they do not.  For this reason we suggest a test case with around 100 grafts placed in the scar tissue to see how well they grow.

Daniel Danyo, MD · Answer

Scars will generally not regrow hair, but there is the possibility of doing hair transplant and/or Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) to conceal the scar.  I have restored a number of patients with scars, (including following craniotomy surgery) using a combination of hair transplant and SMP with excellent results.  I would first follow up with your neurosurgeon and/or craniofacial surgeon to see if this is a possibility given the amount of hardware placed and the complex nature of your scar.  If you get the clear from them, I would recommend finding a hair restoration surgeon who specializes in hair transplantation and SMP to maximize the results.

Benjamin C. Paul, MD · Answer

Craniotomies can be associated with scars and hair loss, but not always. In your case, you lost hair.  You can 1) tattoo the scar with dots to make it look less visible 2) transplant the scar with new hair 3) excise and re-close the scar. Trust your gut when choosing your physician to help you with this.

Ryan Welter, MD · Answer

It can be very difficult to grow hair in a scarred area.  Fat transfer to the area is a good first step.  If the scar tissue takes up the fat, then there is the possibility that transplanting hair to the area will work.  However you need enough donor hair to do this and you need to understand that the donated hair may not survive in the scar area.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Scars of the scalp caused by incision once healed will not grow hair. These can be effectively treated with hair transplants or Scalp Micropigmentation depending upon the location of the scars.

Will hair grow on the scar after craniotomy? (photo)

Answers (5)

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