SMART FUE Scar Hair Transplant After Childhood Burn
A documented staged hair restoration case involving a female patient with longstanding scar-related hair loss following a childhood second-degree thermal burn affecting the left temporal region and extending towards the left occipital scalp.
Pre-procedure and documented post-procedure photographs of the affected left temporal scalp region. Clinical outcomes vary between individuals.
Case Overview
Patient Background
The patient sustained a second-degree thermal burn involving the left side of the scalp at approximately two years of age. The injury affected the left temporal region and extended towards the left occipital scalp.
Following the burn injury, permanent scar tissue developed within the affected area and was associated with complete destruction of native hair follicles in portions of the scarred scalp, resulting in longstanding hair loss with little to no natural regrowth.
Clinical Assessment
Clinical assessment identified longstanding burn scar tissue affecting the left temporal region and extending towards the left occipital scalp. The affected area demonstrated features consistent with destruction of native follicles following the previous thermal injury.
- Burn scar tissue affecting the left temporal to left occipital scalp.
- Markedly reduced or absent follicular density within the scarred region.
- Altered scalp texture consistent with the previous thermal burn.
- Limited potential for spontaneous natural hair regrowth in the affected area.
- Preserved hair follicles within surrounding non-scarred scalp tissue.
The Clinical Challenge
Hair transplantation into longstanding burn scar tissue presents different considerations from transplantation into unaffected scalp. In this case, the scarred recipient area was described as having compromised blood circulation, creating uncertainty regarding how the tissue would respond to transplanted follicles.
For this reason, the medical team elected to proceed conservatively and evaluate the response of the scarred recipient area before increasing density through further transplantation.
Treatment Planning
A conservative treatment plan was developed with the objective of restoring coverage within the scarred scalp while maintaining a natural appearance. Because the recipient area consisted of longstanding burn scar tissue, the medical team chose not to pursue maximum density during the initial procedure.
SMART FUE was selected for a staged transplantation strategy. The initial procedure was used to observe the clinical response of the scarred scalp, followed by a second procedure approximately nine months later to increase density within the treated region.
Staged SMART FUE Scar Hair Transplant
The patient underwent SMART FUE scar hair transplantation involving the left temporal region extending towards the left occipital scalp.
A total of 3,500 follicular grafts were transplanted across two treatment sessions. The first session was performed conservatively to assess the behaviour of the scarred recipient area before further density was added.
Following evaluation of the initial response, a second procedure was carried out approximately nine months later to increase density within the restored area.
Subsequent management included continued hair rejuvenation follow-up and adjunct PRP as documented in the available case information.
From Childhood Injury to Hair Restoration
Clinical Outcome
Follow-up after the staged SMART FUE procedures documented visible hair growth within the previously scarred recipient area. Following the initial conservative procedure, further transplantation was undertaken approximately nine months later to increase density.
At subsequent follow-up, the available case account described significant cosmetic improvement in coverage of the previously affected scalp. The patient reportedly expressed satisfaction with the result and improved confidence following treatment.
Clinical Discussion
Hair transplantation into longstanding burn scar tissue differs from transplantation into unaffected scalp because scar characteristics, tissue quality and circulation may influence treatment planning and clinical response.
In this case, the medical team adopted a deliberately conservative, staged approach. Rather than attempting maximum density during the first procedure, the initial SMART FUE session was used to assess how the scarred recipient area would respond.
Following the response to the first procedure, a second transplantation was undertaken approximately nine months later to increase density. The documented management subsequently included hair rejuvenation follow-up and adjunct PRP.
This case illustrates the role of individualised and staged treatment planning when considering hair restoration in longstanding scarred scalp tissue. Recipient-site characteristics, available donor hair, tissue condition and the response to an initial procedure may all influence subsequent management decisions.
Treating Physicians
This case study is presented for professional and educational purposes. Treatment planning, healing and clinical outcomes vary between individuals. The information presented does not constitute personalised medical advice and does not guarantee similar outcomes for other patients. Clinical photographs should be published only with appropriate patient consent.