Donor area scars after FUE I expected the scars to be light in colour yet mine appear dark like craters, is this normal? (photo)

Question

Hi, I have attached a photo of my donor area after 700 grafts. It is now 12 weeks post op. Is this how you would expect the donor area to look at this stage? I expected the scars to be light in colour yet mine appear dark like craters, is this normal? Thanks

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

The FUE scars look atypical or not normal. Normally the scars do NOT crater inward.  Normally there would be white/pale circle flat scars.

Shim Ching, MD · Answer

Your scars are more obvious than usual.  This could be your skin and how your body has healed from the harvest.  It is also possible that the tool that was used for the harvest was larger and has resulted in more obvious scars.  Without knowing how the surgery was done, it is difficult to tell.  The visible scarring is quite unusual and not typical after FUE.  FUE usually results in invisible scars from harvest.

Robert Reese, DO · Answer

You are 12 weeks post FUE but your submitted photo appears to be on the day of your procedure, (or within a day or two of the procedure).  If the photo was taken at or very near the time of your procedure this could represent normal early scalp changes associated with your procedure.  If this a photo taken 12 weeks after your procedure there is more reason for concern.  You can easily camouflage the FUE sites by allowing your hair to grow slightly.  It is possible, even on Caucasian scalp, for patients to develop hypertrophic or keloid scarring.  A history of scarring/healing characteristics should be obtained at the time of your initial consultation.  Recently I performed a FUE procedure on a patient of African descent, (higher incidence of hypertrophic or keloid scarring).  Since he had not had prior surgery, sutured lacerations, or piercings to evaluate, I performed a scalp biopsy to evaluate his healing characteristics.  He healed perfectly so I proceeded with his FUE procedure without concern for hypertrophic or keloid scarring.  Please clarify when your photo was taken in relation to the time of your FUE procedure.  Best regards,  Robert J. Reese, DO, FISHRS.  Past - President: ABHRS.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

It appears that you have 'crater' scars with your FUE. I don't believe that I ever saw this type of scar so I wonder what instrument your doctor used to get the FUE done. Can you find that out and let us know?

Donor area scars after FUE I expected the scars to be light in colour yet mine appear dark like craters, is this normal? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Unusual FUE scars

Answer: Unusual FUE scars

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Donor area scars after FUE I expected the scars to be light in colour yet mine appear dark like craters, is this normal? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Unusual FUE scars

Answer: Unusual FUE scars

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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.