Hair Foundation Blog

Before tattooing the donor scar, other treatments might be considered such as surgical repair and/or grafting.  If it is truly a keloid, intralesional cortisone injections or intralesional 5-fluorouracil can be helpful.  Recently dramatic and quick keloid shrinkage results have been reported in some patients with enalapril 10mg daily.

Micro-pigmentation (tattooing) donor scars is getting more popular but should be approached cautiously.  Dr. Bill Rassman from Los Angeles presented several cases at the 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and had one of his patients present at the meeting.

The results were surprisingly good, with many doctors being quite impressed.  However, recommendations for this procedure must be made on an individual basis.

Keep in mind that hair color changes as a patient ages. Dark tattooing may be a problem as patients age and their hair turns gray or white. Tattooing may obligate these patients to continue to color their hair for the rest of their life.  Also, tattoos change color with time as the pigment is dispersed in the skin. What used to be black can turn to green in time.

Another consideration in tattooing donor keloids is that allergic reactions to the pigment can occur, leading to pain and itching at the site of the tattoo.  I have a female patient with a sacral tattoo who has had 3-4 surgeries without resolution of her discomfort.

The bottom line is to approach tattooing cautiously under the direction of an established professional.  Being careful can give a very pleasing result.

If you have a hair-related question and would like an answer from one of the Hair Foundation’s doctors, please email us at info@hairfoundation.org.