Why does the donor area "improve" after FUE?

Question

I've been curious about the donor area a few days after FUE. Often it looks "over-harvested". We all know that no new hair can grow back but miraculously, it seems to fill in enough over time. What is happening to the skin so that the donor seems to look ok again? I'm not talking about redness diminishing or shock loss regrowing. Does the skin contract during healing? Thanks, Ed.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you take away enough hairs on the back of the head, the donor area will always look thin and over harvested.  It looks its worse few days after surgery and improves as the skin heals.

David Deutsch, MD · Answer

Yes-circular incisions(like those from FUE) do heal by contraction.Additionally as the hair begins to grow back it diminishes the appearance of the harvest sites.

Craig L. Ziering, DO · Answer

There are two factors that will improve the appearance of the donor area that occur post operatively: 
1. The hair between the harvests will grow in length and give more coverage. 
2. The harvest sites will heal, close, and contract in size over time.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Hair grows out to cover the missing hairs if you allow your hair to grow. There is never new hairs coming from the grafts that were removed

Why does the donor area "improve" after FUE?

Answers (4)

Answer: Hair grows

Answer: Hair grows

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Everything you need to know about FUE Hair Transplant

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Why does the donor area "improve" after FUE?

Answers (4)

Answer: Hair grows

Answer: Hair grows

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about FUE Hair Transplant

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