Skin Discolouration from sun exposure after hairline transplant?

Question

Hey, 15 days after my 500 graft hairline transplant, I forgot to wear a hat for the first time out in the sun, I had 40 minutes of pretty intense sun exposure. There was no discolouration or pain for the first 2 days, but now the recipient area has turned red. I read that there is a possibility for permanent discolouration after sun exposure, is this correct? is there anything I can do to avoid this happening?

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Sun exposure is not recommended after surgery because it may cause discoloration of skin.  It will not harm your grafts.

Ben Talei, MD · Answer

It is hard to assess whether or not you will have permanent discoloration. The reason being why you shouldn't expose your recipient area to the sun is because you are in a healing process. All the cells   from the "wound"  and around it are actively working to heal and therefore are more sensitive to sun exposure. Try not to stress about it and moving forward either wear a hat or use sunscreen in form of a spray.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

You have to remember that the recipient area is a fresh wound and is sensitive to sun. The grafts themselves have a skin surface that came from the back of the head where they never were exposed to the sun so a burn is easy

Skin Discolouration from sun exposure after hairline transplant?

Answers (3)