Scalp scarring — whether from a previous FUT (strip) hair transplant, trauma, surgery, or burns — is one of the most common requests for corrective hair transplant procedures. FUE can be used to implant hair directly into scar tissue, significantly improving the appearance of the scar.
Types of Scalp Scars Commonly Treated
FUT (strip) donor scar: The linear scar left at the back of the scalp from the strip excision technique. This is the most common type treated. In patients with short or shaved hair, a wide or raised strip scar is very visible.
FUE dot scars: Occasionally, previous FUE procedures leave visible hypopigmented (lighter) dots in the donor area — particularly if oversized punches or high extraction density in concentrated areas were used.
Trauma and surgical scars: Scars from accidents, surgeries, or procedures on the scalp.
Burn scars: Areas of scalp with permanent hair loss following burns.
Can Hair Grow in Scar Tissue?
Yes, but with important limitations. Scar tissue is less vascularised than normal scalp tissue — meaning the blood supply that follicles need to survive is reduced. As a result:
- Graft survival in scar tissue is typically lower than in normal scalp (60–80% versus 90–95%)
- Patients and surgeons must plan for potentially lower density in scarred areas
- Multiple sessions may be needed to achieve satisfactory coverage
- Very dense, fibrotic scar tissue (particularly from burns) may have significantly reduced graft survival
Technique for Scar Coverage
Grafts are implanted directly into the scar tissue at high density, with the aim of breaking up the visible scar with growing hair. In FUT scar repair specifically, single-hair grafts are placed along the scar line to maximise natural appearance when hair is worn short.
Pre-operative assessment of scar tissue quality (thickness, vascularity, flexibility) is essential for planning realistic outcomes.
FUT vs FUE Scar: Patient Considerations
Patients who had a previous FUT procedure and are switching to FUE for additional sessions face two related issues: the existing strip scar to cover, and the need to use FUE technique going forward. Both can be addressed in a single combined session — covering the strip scar while simultaneously extracting FUE grafts for new coverage areas.
Have a scalp scar you'd like improved? Send us photos — our team will assess the scar tissue quality and give you realistic expectations for what scar coverage transplantation can achieve.