For those considering a hair transplant with the strip method, the possibility of being left with a long, linear scar is often one of the biggest concerns. In recent years, a wound closure method called “trichophytic closure” has been introduced and is now practiced by many highly respected hair transplant doctors.
A traditional hair transplant strip incision procedure means that the doctor will harvest a strip of hair bearing skin from the back of the head, where after the skin is pulled and the wound is sutured or stapled together. This method often results in a visible scar that can be hard to cover, especially if the client does not have long hair. For those concerned about the visibility of this scar, the trichophytic closure can be a great solution.
Though there are several different variations to the trichophytic closure technique, this method can be described as one where the edge of the incision is trimmed and closed in such a way that hair can grow through it. What all the different variations of the trichophytic closure method have in common is that they can make hair grow through the scar. Having hair grow through the scar can provide great camouflage and make it very hard for anyone, even a doctor, to notice the scar. Even if a trichophytic scar is not completely invisible, it can be very difficult to spot.
The trichophytic closure technique is a well studied and proven method. The very first doctor who introduced it, Dr. Mario Marzola, conducted a comparison study where clients had one side of their scar closed with the trichophytic closure technique and the other side with the traditional method. After several months, the scars that were closed with trichophytic closure looked significantly better and were much less visible. Some hair transplant doctors believe that the trichophytic closure will result in an undetectable scar, while others who use it believe that it is only good in minimizing the visibility of the scar, not completely eliminating it.
Though the trichophytic closure technique seems like the end to visible scarring, it does have a small disadvantage. Those who had it sometimes experience more ingrown hairs, itch and redness than those who had a traditional closure. Despite the possibility of some minor side effects, the trichophytic closure is a fine and sophisticated wound closure method that can definitely be an excellent solution to anyone concerned about having a visible scar.
While the trichophytic closure may not be able to completely eliminate the scar, many well respected hair transplant doctors would agree that it is superior to the traditional closure method in its ability to minimize scarring that would otherwise be visible. Not all hair transplant doctors perform the trichophytic closure and those interested in this special technique would need to find an experienced doctor who does.
