Can My Hair Transplant Scalp Scar Be Improved By A Running W-Plasty Scar Revision?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello, I just saw your post on revising a scalp scar using running w plasty. I have a scar from a hair transplant that runs across the back of my head. It’s mostly thin and straight. The left side of the scar particularly bothers me because I feel it is more indented. Anyway, I was wondering if w plasty is something that would benefit me? I’ve read that a straight line scar attracts attention, while a zig zag w plasty scar is less obvious. I’ve attached images of my scar, please let me know what you think, thank you.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. While geometric scar revisions of the scalp can be beneficial, and I think you would benefit by some form of scar revision, in a very long scalp scar like yours I would be cautious. While a few selected areas may benefit by a non-linear excision pattern, I would do the bulk of the scar with linear excision. (the long part that goes across the back) You want to be certain that whatever you do you don’t make the scar worse or more obvious looking. The linear excision is aesthetically safer because, even in the worse scenario, it could only end up looking the same or just slightly better.

There is a good rule to remember about scar revisions….they are a gamble. There s no assurance that they will always end up looking better. While they usually do it is not a guaranteed outcome.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana