Bald encircling excision of BCC on scalp

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Hello.

This is my 3rd bcc.  The 1st one was on the side of my nose, the second was on my shin and this one is on my scalp.

I visited my GP in February this year and this latest one was misdiagnosed as ascetic keratosis - so was "scrapped away" which made it grow larger.

It was partially cauterised a couple of months after that ( grew larger again) then finally, on November 5th,  was excised under general anaesthetic by a facial/maxillo surgeon.    

It's been left open to heal from the bottom up as the scalp doesn't stretch enough to join by stitches.  After 7 weeks it shows signs of healing.

My main concern is the area around the excision which has become bald.  This bald area encircles the actual scar so I have a large total bald patch.

Has anyone had a similar experience?  If so is this permanent? I'm very distressed about this and hoping it's temporary.

Thanks Lindy 

  • Hi LinMc  I have had 2 basal cell cancers removed from my face by skin flap and skin graft.  I then noticed something on my scalp so got back in touch with my plastic surgeon who thought it was a pillar cyst (which it turned out it was).  I had it excised last January and it was stitched.  Unfortunately my hair hasnt grown back where this cyst was and the surgeon did explain this would happen as it had damaged the hair folicles.  It is about the size of a 10p coin.  You cant really see it as my hair does cover it but I know it is there  I am massaging it with Plantar hair tonic but not having much success.  Hope this helps.  Is your bald patch where you can see it,  Yours could be different and your folicles may recover hopefully x

  • Thanks for replying Harlyn. 
    The excision site was not stitched up - it's been left to heal by "2nd intention healing" which they explained was to grow new skin from the bottom upwards to fill the cavity and not leave concave scar.  It's been left  healing for more than 7 weeks now and is nearly at the top.  It's about the size of a pound coin.  I don't expect this area to grow hair - but I'm worried about the area around the outside of the wound which has become bald.  Am hoping that this "halo" of baldness will not be permanent.     The scar area could be covered with hair but the scar area and "halo" together would be very visible.   It's toward the front of my head just above my forehead.   The medics/nurses evade answering my questions about this so am a bit lost.