Temporal Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am  interested in temporal implants. I wanted to know if you have picture of the scar like one year after surgery? Or just a picture of the scar, to know what it will look like. I like to keep my hair shorts, and I wonder what it will look like? As a second question, would therapy to heal scar would help making it less visible?Also, as a third question, what would be the shortest I can keep my hair on the side to hide the scar? 0.5 cm or more? Thanks.

A: I do not have a picture of a temporal scar after implant surgery. I have seen several of them long-term and many of them are virtually undetectable even on very close inspection. I can also say I have never been asked to do a scar revision on the scars after temporal implants. If one has hair there would be no need to do any form of topical scar therapy on the incisions. This is impractical and unnecessary for scalp scars. If the temporal hairline scar heals very well (and it should) you should he able to wear your hair as short as you would like without concerns about visible scars.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana