Scars from Grafts

• Scars from Grafts by dodger on 20 Dec, 2009 14:02
• I believe I have seen responses from this question but I need to ask (again)...sorry
  
  I became sly last Thursday night and I knew that my scarring from the hair grafts (back of my head) would become a cosmetic issue
  
  Is it best to go to a dermatologist to see what (lazer) can be done? Is there any other alternatives?
  
  Has anyone had a experience-positive or negative?
  
  By the way, on being sly for the fourth day, the words cannot describe the freedom
  
  Thanks
  
  dodger/steve
  
     
• #1 by Mikekoz13 on 20 Dec, 2009 14:17
• Steve-
  
  I don't have this problem but my wife's Uncle does. Guess what?? He couldn't care less!
  
  I do however have 3 or 4 scars on my head from my younger days. Guess what?? I couldn't care less!
  
  Common theme: Life goes on my Friend!
• #2 by D.A.L.U.I. on 20 Dec, 2009 14:32
• There may be things to be done, and your doctor is the best source of information about what can minimize your particular situation.  I have two scars, from the removal of skin cancers--I don't worry about them and no one has ever even asked about them.  They were a personal concern but now they're just there--and I don't worry about them since they are not a major concern about keeping it smooth, and they don't even factor into the feeling of freedom--we told you that would be good, didn't we.
• #3 by dodger on 20 Dec, 2009 15:03
• Additional information on the skin grafts that I am referring to
  
  The look on the back of my head would be best described as
  a more of a checker board design when I shave my head and not
  scarring
  
  I am going to contact my dermatologist for their recommendation
  
  Appreciate the feedback
  
  dodger/steve
• #4 by marty22 on 20 Dec, 2009 15:12
• is this the old style transplants? I had them too. Make sure u have a good plastic surgeon if need be.....
• #5 by D.A.L.U.I. on 20 Dec, 2009 15:33
• Whoa, that's one fine dome.   To think you covered it up!
• #6 by dodger on 20 Dec, 2009 15:46
• martyc
  
  unfortunately yes-the transplants are from the early 80's (OUCH)
  
  I am going to schedule a consultaton with my dermatologist and see what the options and costs are
  
  not interested in pursuing the plastic surgeon
  
  saintc: appreciate your comments
  
  
• #7 by chgobuzzbald on 20 Dec, 2009 23:46
• To chime in this issue. I have the same checkerboard sort of scarring or rather odd abscence of hair stubble surrounded by normal stubble. I have had 2 sessions done with a fractional laser (Pixel brand) here in Chicago. The net effect has been to even out the skin texture and general color relative to the surrounding stubble bearing skin. We are doing a 3rd session next month and he has said he will turn up the power higher. My goal was to reduce or shrink these stubble-les areas. It appears that has happened to a slight extent so far. He dlet 4 sessions would be required. BUt if the stubble-less areas do not shrink then the next choice would be a tatoo sort of dot done with darker ink to simulate a single stubbled hair growing in these stubble-less areas. There is a thereas in the tato section on that process. ANother choice maybe surgically cuting out sections of this type of skin but then you would just have a line scar. Or if there is any donor hair left it maybe possible to remove a single hair follicle, hopefully with NO scsarring and put it into the center of these stubble-less areas.
  
  Others will say dont bother but it is always those who dont have these specific checkerboard, obvious hair transplant scars who say that. They cannot know what this is like to show off. These are not from falling off a bike as a child. They are a source of embarrassment and insecurity. Fortunately we have this site to let others know NOT to do transplants today.
• #8 by dodger on 21 Dec, 2009 10:53
• chgobuzzbald
  
  Thanks much for the feedback
  
  I have made an appointment with a dermatologist to see what can be done
  Other than lazer, I most likely will do nothing else
  If lazer has a low recovery percentage than I will just live with it
  
  thanks
  
  dodger/steve
• #9 by marty22 on 25 Dec, 2009 10:11
• i ve had laser on old style hair tranplsants-feel free to write me
  
  M
• #10 by Rusty Shackleford on 29 Dec, 2009 19:22
• In '87 this girl joined my school and she had a big (but not disfiguring) scar on her upper lip that she received from a kick by a horse.  She would sometimes mention having the scar medically repaired and a couple years later she did.  I am fascinated by this stuff so I felt really bad for her because it didn't seem to change its appearance at all.  Of course that was (good lord) 20 years ago and it may have been one of those things where the repaired scar would require a couple years to fade away and I just didn't see her anymore.
  
  At any rate I'm sure something can be done that would at least improve it. Google "scar revision" and see what you can dig up.  At least it's on the useless back of your head where you can't see it and an awesome goatee in the front where you can!