Does a Hair Transplant Leave Scars? 

All hair transplant procedures leave scars. However, with a skilled and experienced surgeon, these scars are strategically planned and can be made undetectable to the naked eye. The type of scar and its visibility depends on the technique used and the expertise of your surgeon. 

Dr. Ted Miln at our Cardiff hair transplant clinic is known for creating natural-looking hair transplants with no visible scars. Visit our results gallery to see our collection of hair transplant before-and-after photos. 

If hair transplant scars are a concern, keep reading to see how Dr. Ted’s expert techniques make them barely noticeable.

Is It Possible to Have a Scarless Hair Transplant? 

You’ve likely seen ads for “scarless” hair transplants. The truth is, no hair transplant is completely scar-free, even with today’s most advanced techniques. The good news is that there are surgical techniques that produce scars so small they’re practically undetectable and one such technique is FUE. 

FUE Hair Transplant Scars 

FUE, or follicular unit extraction, is a minimally invasive hair transplant technique where individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor area using a small punch tool (0.7 mm to 1.0 mm in diameter). These follicles are then implanted into thinning or balding areas to create a natural, fuller look. 

FUE scars are tiny, circular marks left behind where each hair follicle is extracted. These scars are less than 1 mm in diameter and scattered across the donor area, making them virtually invisible even with short hair. 

The spacing between extractions helps preserve the natural look of the donor area. With proper aftercare and a skilled surgeon, FUE scars are nearly undetectable.

What FUE Scars Look Like

FUE scars are tiny, circular, and less than 1 mm in diameter. Right after the procedure, you may notice some redness or scabbing in the donor area, but these heal quickly within a few weeks. 

Over time, the scars fade and become nearly invisible, even with short haircuts. By 12 months, the donor area looks natural, with no signs of the procedure. View more before and after close-up photos of FUE hair transplant scarring in our results gallery

FUE Before and After Case 1

FUE Before and After Case 2

FUT Hair Transplant Scars 

FUT, or Follicular Unit Transplantation, involves removing a thin strip of skin from the donor area, typically at the back of the head. Individual hair follicles are then extracted from the strip and implanted into thinning or balding areas. This method is ideal for patients needing a high number of grafts in a single session.

FUT inevitably leaves a linear scar in the donor area where the strip was removed, but it’s usually very thin. Once fully healed, the scar is no more than a pencil-thin line and can easily be hidden within the surrounding hair. 

To minimize the visibility of the linear scar left by a FUT hair transplant, Dr. Ted uses trichophytic closure to close the incision. During the closure process, the edges of the wound are trimmed in a way that allows hair to grow through the scar. 

This technique involves overlapping the top and bottom edges of the incision slightly, encouraging hair follicles adjacent to the scar to grow into and through it. This helps blend the scar into the surrounding hair, making it harder to see, even with shorter hair.

What a FUT Scar Looks Like

After a FUT procedure, the donor area will have a thin, linear scar where the strip of skin was removed. In the first few weeks, the scar may appear red or slightly raised but fades as it heals. As your hair grows, the scar will become invisible. It’s also hard to detect even with short haircuts unless the hair is very closely cropped.

FUT Before and After Case 1

FUT Before and After Case 2

FUE vs. FUT Hair Transplant: Which is Better? 

The best hair transplant option depends on your goals, the extent of hair loss, donor quality, and scalp laxity. During your consultation with Dr. Ted, he will evaluate your hair, discuss your goals, and determine the best approach to get your desired results. Here are the pros and cons of FUE and FUT:

FUE Advantages

  • Minimal scarring
  • Ideal for shorter hairstyles
  • Less invasive, faster recovery
  • No stitches or sutures required
  • The tiny scars are spread out and are hard to detect

FUE Disadvantages

  • Time-consuming procedure
  • Higher cost per graft
  • May require shaving the donor area 
  • Fewer grafts harvested in one session
  • Less practical for extensive hair restoration

FUT Advantages

  • Harvests a large number of grafts in one session
  • More cost-effective for extensive hair restoration
  • Doesn’t require shaving the donor area
  • Faster procedure compared to FUE for larger areas
  • Often considered for patients with extensive hair loss

FUT Disadvantages

  • Leaves a thin linear scar
  • Longer recovery time compared to FUE
  • The resulting scar may be visible with very short hairstyles
  • Slightly more invasive due to the strip removal
  • Requires stitches or sutures

Combined FUT and FUE Hair Transplant in Cardiff

Dr. Ted is internationally known for his two-day procedure, combining FUT on day one and FUE on day two, safely yielding up to 5,000 grafts with minimal disruption to the donor area. 

This method is ideal for patients with advanced hair loss, limited donor density, or those needing maximum coverage. By using both techniques, Dr. Ted can restore a fuller head of hair that looks natural. 

FUT and FUE Combined Hair Transplant Before and After 

This incredible transformation was achieved in just 2 days! This male patient received FUT on the first day and FUE on the second. A total of 5,818 grafts were transplanted to deliver this life-changing transformation.

Book a Consultation at Our Cardiff Hair Transplant Clinic

Dr. Ted Hair Transplants is a premium hair transplant clinic located just 30 minutes from Cardiff. Our clinic is close to the beautiful coast of Wales, offering advanced hair restoration and a memorable experience in a stunning seaside setting.

Call us to schedule your consultation now. We serve patients in and around Cardiff, UK, including Barry, Swansea, Newport, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Worcester, Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Oxford, and London.