Can a Hair Transplant Help With Scar Repair?

Hair transplants can be an excellent way to replenish hair loss around areas of scar tissue or conceal the visible impacts of scarring. The hair restoration experts at KSL Clinic use the FUE hair transplant process to personalise the process to your specifications.

Many of the considerations around scar repair hair transplants relate to the depth and thickness of scar tissue, which affect the viability of a transplanted follicle. However, the key aim is to create a natural growth pattern that is adapted to your specific scar positions and hair loss concerns.

In this guide to hair transplants for scar repair, we’ll explain how the procedure works, why scar repair hair restoration processes require exceptional surgical skill, and some of the factors that will impact the treatments, transplants or therapies we recommend.

Using a Hair Transplant Procedure to Conceal Scarring

Despite misconceptions, hair transplants are proven to be an effective way of covering, correcting or concealing hair loss associated with scarring. 

A published medical case report found that hair transplantation was an important tool in recovery, used to help a burn victim with scarring from an accident 15 years earlier – and resulted in ‘excellent’ grown one-year post-transplant, visible improvements in their appearance, and ‘high satisfaction’.

Hair transplants have also been found to be a successful way to help clients suffering from scarring alopecia, alongside topical medication and steroids, showing that a bespoke transplant is suited to a wide variety of injuries, scars and inconsistencies in skin texture.

Pros and Cons of Hair Transplants for Scar Repair

Why a hair transplant can be effective: 

✔ Permanent Solution – A successful transplant can provide lasting coverage for scars, blending them seamlessly with natural hair.

✔ Improved Aesthetics – Helps conceal visible scars from injuries, surgeries, or previous transplants, restoring confidence.

✔ Natural Hair Growth – Once healed, transplanted hair grows like normal, allowing for regular styling and haircuts.

✔ Can Work on Various Scars – Effective for scalp scars, FUT/FUE transplant scars, burns, or accident-related scarring (if the area has proper blood flow).

✔ Combines with Other Treatments – Can be used alongside scalp micropigmentation (SMP), PRP therapy, or laser treatments for enhanced results.

Cons

Why a hair transplant may not be the best choice:

❌ Not All Scars Are Suitable – Some scars lack proper blood supply, making it difficult for transplanted follicles to survive.

❌ Lower Graft Survival Rate – Hair follicles transplanted into scar tissue may not grow as successfully as in normal skin.

❌ Multiple Sessions May Be Needed – Some scars require multiple procedures to achieve full coverage.

❌ Scalp Elasticity Can Be a Factor – If the scarred area is tight or lacks flexibility, implantation may be more challenging.

❌ Healing Can Be Slower – Scar tissue may take longer to heal post-surgery compared to healthy scalp areas.

Why Scar Tissue Density Impacts the Feasibility of a Scar Repair Hair Transplant

We talked about scar tissue density and thickness, and this matters because scar tissue, created in response to injuries, damage, and inflammation, is less flexible than healthy tissue, which can vary considerably in shape, texture, and size.

Thicker and deeper scars are more likely to result in visible patches of hair loss because a compromised blood supply and lower levels of oxygen and nutrients in the skin are less able to support the growth of new follicles.

Denser scars may also inhibit hair growth because the scar tissue is simply thicker. Fresh new follicles can be produced but cannot grow through the tougher skin. A hair transplant works well because, provided the skin is healthy enough underneath the scar tissue to facilitate growth, an implanted follicle can grow well.

If a direct follicle transplant into the scar tissue is not possible, we’ll often suggest a pre-configured transplant pattern that ensures fresh growth conceals the area of scarring, working to deliver a blended hair growth pattern that camouflages all visible signs of scarring.

Choosing the Right Approach to Scar Repair Hair Transplantation

Another area worth clarifying is the importance of the hair transplant technique your surgeon uses. The ideal from a clinical perspective is to balance out:

• The comfort and convenience of the transplant process itself.
• Your wishes and aspirations as our hair transplant client.
• Availability of healthy, consistent donor hairs to replenish areas of hair loss.
• Methods that will achieve the best results with minimal scarring.

These elements all contribute to our preference for FUE hair transplantation, particularly for more intricate transplant procedures. FUT involves the removal of a strip of tissue, which inevitably leaves a linear scar elsewhere on the scalp – something scar repair clients are naturally very reluctant to agree to.

FUE is a more complex and precise procedure. We extract donor hairs one at a time and reimplant tiny grafts individually. The benefits include no new visible scars, microscopic incisions that heal within 10 to 14 days, and no stitches.

Determining  Patient Eligibility for a Hair Transplant to Conceal Scarring

Every prospective hair transplant client is asked to book a free, no-obligation consultation with their preferred KSL Clinic location. We have practices across the UK and Republic of Ireland, all chosen for accessible travel links.

Dr Matee, our Director of Surgical Services, explains why this is essential. He says, ‘A consultation isn’t a sales exercise, nor will we ever convince a client to book a hair transplant if this doesn’t align with their wishes or we have any reservations about being able to achieve the results they want to see.

Instead, it’s a complimentary chat with a hair restoration specialist, during which we can discuss your hair loss, concerns, and aspirations and perform a clinical assessment of your scalp and hair.’

That hands-on evaluation is especially relevant for patients with scar tissue since it means we can advise with certainty about whether we will be able to transplant follicles into the scar tissue or the alternatives where the scarring is too thick or with insufficient blood flow to support new hair growth.

It’s also important to note that very thin scar tissue can be as challenging as thicker scars because delicate, compromised skin may not be stable enough to support newly transplanted hairs – in which case the chance of graft failure may be unacceptably high.

While the right approach could involve cellular regenerative therapy to improve the health of the skin, reactive dormant follicles where possible, or augment the condition of the scalp ahead of a transplant, we can also devise strategic hair transplants around scar tissue, where fresh growth will effectively conceal the area.

KSL Clinic is proud to be the busiest UK hair transplant provider, with ample experience navigating more complex transplant procedures and an outstanding rate of full success and patient satisfaction.

If you have any questions about booking a hair transplant to hide or cover scarring or would like to seek the opinion of an expert in the field, please book your consultation at your earliest convenience.

Optimising the Results and Outcomes of a Scar Repair Hair Transplant

Aftercare and scalp hygiene are paramount following any transplant and become even more important for patients with scar tissue, who can benefit from diligent care to assist in cellular regeneration and tissue flexibility.

We always provide patients with comprehensive aftercare guidance to ensure they know how to protect newly implanted follicles, expedite recovery, and avoid any contaminants or abrasion that could dislodge delicate new follicles.

The basics include staying out of direct sunlight, avoiding hot showers or highly pressured water, and delaying exercise, swimming and normal washing routines for the first two weeks while the follicles and scalp are in the early stages of recovery.

From there, we often recommend non-surgical therapies, typically platelet-rich plasma therapy, which can assist in the repair of scar tissue, accelerate the speed at which skin and tissue heal, tackle inflammation, boost circulation, and provide all-around improvements to the results of your hair transplant.