doctor, I have persistantly been picking at my scalp for a year due to stress. My picking has left a red round scar on my scalp that is very noticiable. My dermatologist said that the hair would grow back, if I did not continue to pick at it. He said it would take about a year. I don’t believe him. The scar is very noticeable and very embarrassing….Can you help. I can send you a picture if needed.

thanks in advance.

I tell hair pickers that they must wait for up to one complete telogen cycle to find out if the hair comes back. A telogen cycle may last 3-6 months. Usually, if the hair is not growing in a month, the suggestion is that the damage done may be permanent, but prior to more radical treatment such as hair transplants, this conclusion is not 100%. Also, it is important that you know for sure that the picking has been stopped.

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