FUE dot scars are visible below grade 2 buzz cuts, and FUT linear scars can measure anywhere from 1 mm to over 5 mm wide depending on surgical technique and individual healing. Tracking scar appearance over time confirms whether scars are maturing normally, helps you evaluate camouflage treatments objectively, and provides documentation if revision is needed.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your surgeon for scar-specific concerns.
Why Scar Tracking Matters
Every hair transplant leaves scars. FUE produces small circular dot scars (0.7 to 1.0 mm each) scattered across the donor area. FUT produces a single linear scar across the back of the scalp. For patients who wear their hair short, scar visibility directly impacts satisfaction with the procedure.
Without tracking, scar changes happen so gradually that patients cannot objectively assess whether a camouflage treatment is working or whether the scar is widening. Monthly photos create an objective record that removes guesswork.
FUE Dot Scar Tracking
Understanding FUE Scars
Each FUE extraction creates a tiny circular wound where the punch tool removed the follicular unit. These heal into small white or pink dots. The scars are individually small, but across 2,000 to 5,000 extraction sites, the cumulative effect can be visible at short hair lengths.
| FUE Scar Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Individual scar size | 0.7 to 1.0 mm diameter |
| Typical punch size | 0.8 to 1.0 mm |
| Color when healed | White or slightly pink |
| Visibility threshold | Visible below grade 2 (6 mm hair length) |
| Maturation timeline | 6 to 12 months for final appearance |
Step-by-Step FUE Scar Tracking Protocol
Step 1: Baseline at 2 weeks post-op. Once initial healing is complete, photograph the entire donor area with hair at its shortest. The extraction points will be red or pink at this stage. This is your starting reference.
Step 2: Monthly photos for 6 months. Each month, photograph the donor area from three angles (left, center, right) at the same distance and lighting. Buzz or trim the donor hair to the same length for each session to ensure consistent comparison.
Step 3: Grade the visibility. Rate your scar visibility on a simple scale for each monthly photo:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | Not visible at any hair length |
| 1 | Visible only below grade 1 (3 mm) |
| 2 | Visible at grade 2 (6 mm) |
| 3 | Visible at grade 3 (10 mm) |
| 4 | Visible at any hair length |
Most patients progress from grade 3 or 4 at month 1 to grade 1 or 2 by month 6. If your grade is not improving, that data supports a conversation about scar treatment options.
Step 4: Quarterly tracking after month 6. Scars continue to fade and flatten for up to 18 months. Quarterly photos capture the slower maturation phase.
FUT Linear Scar Tracking
Understanding FUT Scars
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) removes a strip of donor tissue, leaving a single horizontal scar across the back of the scalp. The scar width depends on the strip width, closure technique, skin elasticity, and individual healing.
| FUT Scar Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical scar length | 15 to 30 cm |
| Ideal healed width | 1 to 2 mm |
| Acceptable healed width | 2 to 3 mm |
| Concerning width | 4 mm or wider |
| Maturation timeline | 12 to 18 months |
Step-by-Step FUT Scar Tracking Protocol
Step 1: Baseline at 3 weeks post-op. Once sutures or staples are removed and initial healing is complete, photograph the scar from end to end. Include a ruler in the frame placed next to the scar at its widest point.
Step 2: Monthly width measurement. Each month, photograph the scar with a ruler and record the width at three points: left end, center, and right end. The center measurement is typically the widest.
| Month | Left Width (mm) | Center Width (mm) | Right Width (mm) | Overall Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Record | Record | Record | Baseline |
| Month 2 | Record | Record | Record | Improving / Stable / Widening |
| Month 3 | Record | Record | Record | Improving / Stable / Widening |
| Month 6 | Record | Record | Record | Improving / Stable / Widening |
Step 3: Assess scar characteristics beyond width. Track these additional factors monthly:
- Color: Red (early), pink (transitional), white (mature)
- Texture: Raised (hypertrophic), flat, depressed
- Surrounding hair growth: Does hair grow through the scar line?
Trichophytic closure technique allows hair to grow through the scar, significantly reducing visibility. Track whether this is occurring in your case.
Step 4: Long-term monitoring. FUT scars can widen over time, especially in patients with tight scalp skin or those who undergo subsequent FUT procedures. Annual photos after the first year detect any progressive widening.
Evaluating Scar Treatment Results
If you pursue scar reduction treatments, tracking data proves whether the investment is working.
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) for FUE Scars
SMP deposits pigment into the white dot scars to match the surrounding hair color. Track results by comparing pre-SMP and post-SMP photos at the same hair length under identical lighting.
Take photos immediately after the SMP session and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months to track pigment retention. SMP typically requires 2 to 3 sessions for full coverage.
Scar Revision for FUT Scars
If your FUT scar is wider than 4 mm at month 12, scar revision surgery can excise the old scar and re-close with advanced technique. Track the revision scar using the same monthly protocol, comparing it against the pre-revision width.
PRP for Scar Improvement
PRP injections ($500 to $2,000 per session) may improve skin quality around transplant scars. Track by photographing the treatment area before each PRP session and 4 weeks after. A minimum of 3 sessions is needed before evaluating results.
FUE vs. FUT Scar Comparison
| Factor | FUE | FUT |
|---|---|---|
| Scar type | Multiple small dots | Single linear line |
| Individual scar size | 0.7 to 1.0 mm | 15 to 30 cm long, 1 to 3 mm wide |
| Short hair visibility | Visible below grade 2 | Visible below 2 cm of hair |
| Camouflage options | SMP, hair growth | Hair coverage, SMP, revision |
| Recovery time | 7 to 10 days | 10 to 14 days |
| Donor capacity preserved | Slightly less per session | Slightly more per session |
Start Documenting Your Scars
Whether you are 2 weeks or 2 years post-transplant, starting a scar tracking record provides valuable baseline data. Upload your donor area photos to myhairline.ai/analyze to begin objective scar documentation that guides treatment decisions.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration surgeon for scar evaluation and treatment recommendations.