Is a hair transplant possible on an area with scarring alopecia? (photos)

Thank you so much for sharing your photos and for being so open about your experience. I can imagine how upsetting it must have been to go through this after trying to remove the mole yourself. From what I see and based on your story, it does look like the area may have some scarring, and scars can sometimes cause a type of permanent hair loss called scarring alopecia.

The good news is that hair transplants are sometimes possible even in scarred areas—but the results can be a little harder to predict since scar tissue doesn’t always have the same blood supply as normal skin. Some people do get very good results, though, especially if the scar is well-healed and stable.

Often, the approach is to:

Make sure the scar has completely healed and isn’t changing.
Look at the surrounding hair growth and density.
Sometimes, do a small test transplant first to see how well the grafts take.

I think it’s definitely worth having an in-person evaluation with a dermatologist or hair transplant specialist. That way, we can set realistic expectations and see if you’re a good candidate.

You’re asking all the right questions, and there are still options that may help restore the area and make you feel more comfortable about it.

Hello,

It’s possible that the area experienced some localized scarring, but secondary scarring alopecia would need to be confirmed by a specialist. If the skin has healed well and there is adequate blood supply, a hair transplant may still be a viable option. I recommend consulting with a hair restoration surgeon to evaluate the area and determine the best course of action.

Best regards,
Dr. Marco Barusco

Yes, a hair transplant can be performed on areas affected by scarring alopecia, but the success depends on the stability of the condition. If the alopecia is inactive and the scar tissue is well-healed, a transplant is possible, although the success rate may be lower than in non-scarred areas due to reduced blood supply. Special techniques are used to ensure graft survival and growth in scar tissue. It’s crucial to ensure the underlying condition is no longer active to prevent further hair loss after the procedure.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I suggest seeing a dermatologist or plastic surgeon before considering a hair transplant. You want to find out if the mole you removed will grow back or needs additional attention. You might have a few options to consider. Best of luck to you.

Dr. T

You can fix this with hair transplant to cover the scar :) Since it's caused by surgical scar so it's not a scarring alopecia which is caused by autoimmune diseases.

That is a secondary scarring alopecia and a hair transplant would both cover the defect easily and provide a better texture of skin.

Assuming this was a benign dermal nevus then yes it is likely possible. The full story along with past photos should be reviewed with a dermatologist and surgeon. If the “mole” actually goes deep there is a good chance it will come back over the next few years. That could affect hair transplant results so it’s important to be aware of this. In addition, if the scarring is thick (hypertrophic) or keloidal that is going to affect graft survival. All in all, a transplant is possible but long term outcomes are not guaranteed. A skilled plastics surgeon might also feel a nice closure could give pretty nice results too. Get a few opinions.