I Scalped Myself!

In the summer of 05 I scalped myself by running my head into a porch. The flap was sewn back on and I experienced hair loss a month later. The majority of the hair grew back, however on the left side the scar was still quite prominent. This past summer (july of 06) I had scar revision surgery. The doctor used a gentle type of cauterization and staples. A month after surgery hair around the scar fell out. Some is growing back, however currently the bald area is worse than it was before surgery. My question is how long until I know whether the hair will grow back or not? And is there anything I can do to help it grow back? I’m a female and almost 23 years old. Thanks.

Hair usually does not grow back on a scar or on the edges of a scar – especially after cauterization. The best way to deal with your scar is to minimize it as much as possible (as you have done). Wait out a full 6 months to see the final result and then you may need a follow up with a small hair transplant along the scar, or possibly another revision of the scar. Scar repairs of the scalp are a real art, so I hope that the doctor who did it had considerable experience with scalp scars. Between the doctor’s experience and good surgery, you should have a good idea on what the results are after 6 months or so. We routinely do these type of procedures at NHI with great results. You may consider sending pictures and I would be happy to look at them for a better assessment.