Recipient Area Discoloration.

I just found this forum and honestly wish I had been able to many months prior. I had a FUT and am concerned about potential result, not only density but also if there is going to be a residual discoloration, pock marks,etc. The recipient area does not normal to me at 4 months.

Between 2months and now, I honestly haven't seen much fading of the discoloration. I have asked the doctor and he states that it is UNSUAL that the recipient hasnt returned to normal by now and asked that I place aloe vera on it. He states most people return to normal after 2-3 weeks. I've used the aloe vera, witch hazel, avoided the sun, etc.. for about a month without change and I've been tracking with photos over the several months.



Below are the 5 day postop and recent recipient area photos. In one of them I shaved down the newly growing hair to see the area underneath.


Any comments, advice are greatly appreciated as I would like to see what more experienced members think.
Should I consult another surgeon for second opinion? or a dermatologist? Is this repairable down the line?

Recipient 1

Recipient 2

I see you have tried the Aloe and Witch Hazel that usually work. Your skin looks a little inflamed so something like natural honey applied thinly may help as it soothes skin irritation. Plus there looks to be some hairs in the recipient area, are these new growth? Existing hair that was there prior to surgery? Or are they stalled transplanted hairs? If stalled hairs they should be plucked out.

The hairs in the last photo are new hair growth. The transplant was to lower the forehead line as I have a huge forehead prior. Very little native hair except for a small patch on the left which is untouched in the 5 day photo.


I tried witch hazel religiously the 2nd month after, little difference. then moved on to aloe vera for the last month and honestly I can't say it made any difference.

BTW, was just reading your thread earlier. Your 6 month progress is looking great. Happy for you man.

I would ask your doctor for some anti inflammatory suggestions or ask him to take a look if not too far to travel. Are you able to conceal the area with your hair combed forward?

You could ask for steroid cream as that may work. Some people due to the physiology just take longer to heal, this may be what's happening with you. There does not look as though you are suffering any type of infection which indicates to me that you will be fine especially as you're starting to experience the new growth.

I'm 12 months post op now, I will update soon with my final result which I'm happy with. Does the redness cause you any pain or discomfort?

Yes I wear my hair down all the time now and it honestly sucks having to do that. I get itching in the site from time to time and when I do excercise theres some increasaed itching but no pain.

It does sound as though you are a slow healer in terms of the redness. See if the doctor can recommend a steroid cream, if not you may have to just wait it out which sucks for you but with the new growth beginning it may not be too long of a wait from now.

There are quite a few cases around the forums where the redness has lingered a long time, if nothing is making it go away you may have to just wait it out. The area looks ok apart from the redness, as you say you think you may have pick marks, these may look worse because of the redness in the area. It should settle down.
Keep a good photo record of the area. How is the donor closure area looking and feeling?

As said here, for some it does linger and skin tone, density placed,natural healing properties all play part.


It is certainly improving from the photos and avoid sunlight or anything that can cause inflammation.

Your doctor may prescribe a cortisone cream to help redness as said already and this if used for a week or so can make a difference but is a short term application.


You have done what you can naturally and it will fade but see if your doctor recommends any cortisone to help speed healing.

All the best.

Bigmac wrote:

There are quite a few cases around the forums where the redness has lingered a long time, if nothing is making it go away you may have to just wait it out. The area looks ok apart from the redness, as you say you think you may have pick marks, these may look worse because of the redness in the area. It should settle down.
Keep a good photo record of the area. How is the donor closure area looking and feeling?

Click to expand...

Thanks Bigmac. I'm gonna wait and see and I agree keeping a photo record is often helpful so I'm gonna keep doing it.
thanks guys.

Unfortunately due to physiology some do suffer redness for longer than expected. Wait it out and stay positive as it will go away.

How is your hair looking now? Did the redness linger much longer?

How did your Ht turn out?

well,that is very good stuff