Tanning and donor area?

Question

Hi, I have been spending quite a bit of time researching different ht options and information galore. One question that came to mind, and I have seen nothing about it anywhere, is to do with your donor area and sun exposure. Many times that area will be quite tanned in summer and with dotted scars I worry they will remain light colored dots mixed in with your hair and tanned unscarred skin. Thoughts?

Michael Vories, MD · Answer

This is actually a question about punch size. Using smaller punches (we generally use a 0.80 mm punch for Caucasian cases) will result in a smaller wound size, and allow for tighter hair length.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

This is a risk that everyone must assume if going for a hair transplant. Yes. Usually the difference is minimal and improves over time but absolutely it is a risk. Some FUE patients can shave incredibly close and some can shave fairly close and some need a bit of length. It varies. One should never have a hair transplant if they can not accept the remote possibility of visible FUE scars. With a good surgeon, one reduces the risk of this even being an issue by quite a bit.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. I think the more tan your donor area is the more likely the “light colored dots” will be visible. I don’t think a little bit of tan will be a bad thing. I would however be sure to apply sunscreen. Best wishes.Dr. T

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

If you shave your hair with razor, you or others may only realize a tiny white dots on your skin when looked very closely..They are very tiny and invisible scars of punch insertions . Actually I have no complaint about those scars before about sun batting andtanning. But you would better to avoid direct sun light  exposure in first 2 weeks after the surgery. Than you may go outside for short period and have sun exposure but not under direct sunlight on mid day and for a long time.

Neil Verma, HBSc, MD, FCFP - Account Suspended · Answer

Sun will tan the scalp. With FUE procedure the hypopigmentation scars are really only visible if the hair is shaved with a razor. The marks would not be noticable.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

I don't see a benefit of tanning the donor area. If your surgeon left 'white dots' in your donor area, tanning the donor area would make them stand out more.

Tanning and donor area?

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