Keloid Scars Arising After Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplantation

In 2020, a case of keloid scarring following follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplantation was reported. Keloid scarring is a rare complication of hair transplantation, more often associated with strip harvesting than FUE. The patient, a 35-year-old man, developed multiple red raised lesions on the posterior aspect of his scalp 8 months after the procedure. The lesions were associated with pain, especially during sleep, scalp washing, and combing. The patient was treated with topical silicone gel sheeting and intralesional corticosteroid, which resulted in an acceptable regression in the size of the keloid after four sessions. The report concluded that keloid formation after hair transplant surgery is unpredictable, and preventive measures should be taken to minimize the risks. These include selecting candidates without susceptibility to keloids, minimizing injury by using a micro-punch tool for harvesting individual follicles, and early diagnosis and treatment of keloids.