Will I have a big scar and or any hair loss after a lipoma is removed from the back of my head?

Question

It is about a half inch wide

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur under the skin and less commonly within the muscle. They are associated with mild discomfort and a lump underneath the skin. It is always best to talk to an expert plastic surgeon to determine whether the lipoma is possibly a cyst or a tumor or hernia. We would have to remove the lipoma to be sure that it is not something else and we usually do this by sending it to a pathologist for evaluation. If a lipoma is painful, then an exam is needed to make sure it is not compressing on a nerve or whether the diagnosis is different. Aftercare for a lipoma includes gentle compression and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily on the wound.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon
Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur under the skin and less commonly within the muscle. They are associated with mild discomfort and a lump underneath the skin. It is always best to talk to an expert plastic surgeon to determine whether the lipoma is possibly a cyst or a tumor or hernia. We would have to remove the lipoma to be sure that it is not something else and we usually do this by sending it to a pathologist for evaluation. If a lipoma is painful, then an exam is needed to make sure it is not compressing on a nerve or whether the diagnosis is different. Aftercare for a lipoma includes gentle compression and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily on the wound.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jonathan Adamthwaite, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Many thanks for your question. Please be reassured that removal of lipomas is very low risk and one would expect minimal scarring and minimal risk of hair loss in the right hands with good surgical technique. All the best,
Jonathan

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

There normally would be no noticeable scar or hair loss after removal of a lipoma on the back of the head.  I normally would not shave any of the hair prior to the procedure as well.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  You should anticipate a very small incision, less than the diameter of your lipoma with a small possibility of hair loss.  The hair loss risk can be mitigated by appropriate surgical technique by your doctor.  Hope this helps.

Afshin Farzadmehr, MD · Answer

I have removed numerous lipomas over 19 years and lesions from scalp and with my method there is absolutely no hair loss, shaving of hair prior to procedure and minimum scar if any.  That goes true for cysts as well.

Will I have a big scar and or any hair loss after a lipoma is removed from the back of my head?

Answers (5)

Answer: Will I have a big scar or hair loss from a lipoma removal?

Answer: Will I have a big scar or hair loss from a lipoma removal?

Answer: Lipoma

Answer: Lipoma

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Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

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Will I have a big scar and or any hair loss after a lipoma is removed from the back of my head?

Answers (5)

Answer: Will I have a big scar or hair loss from a lipoma removal?

Answer: Will I have a big scar or hair loss from a lipoma removal?

Answer: Lipoma

Answer: Lipoma

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.