Can I regrow hair on a large childhood scar on my scalp? It bothers me and is very noticeable. (photo)

There is nothing that will regrow hair into a scarred area.  Hair transplantation sometimes works well.  I have tried progresterone injections with success in a few patients in combination with rogaine foam.  We would gladly see you in the office for injections if you want to try this option, it is not covered by insurance however.  Best of luck, Dr. Emer.

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

There are a handful of options. Scar revision can remove the non hair bearing scar and bring the edges together which should create a much finer scar. Hair can be transplanted into the scar. Lastly, this option doesn't replace the hair, but in some cases medical grade tattoo can camouflage the scar and simulate hair follicles in the scar tissue. Please discuss further with an expert in your area. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Your scalp scar can be removed by cutting out the scar and closing it as I have done for 35 years. Injections will not do this. Hair transplants do not grow well in scar tissue.

There are different ways to improve the visibility of scalp scars:Simple scar revisionScar revision with trichophytic closureFUE hair transplants into the scarsScalp micropigmentationCosmeticsYou need to discuss this and be evaluated by a hair transplant doctor with experience with scar revision for further assessment and treatment.