There are many causes of scarring, and scarring can be divided into two categories: external surgical factors and inherent patient factors. The most important concept to understand is that anytime an incision is made, whether it is a linear incision, or a small round circular incision, a scar will be formed. Our hope at the Gabel Center is that every scar is minimal. Some of the surgical factors that cause increase scarring is poor surgical technique, taking too wide of a strip, making too large of a circular punch, or operating in a prior area of scar. On the other side of the coin, some patients are more prone to forming a scar then others because of their genetic makeup and collagen strength. When assessing patients at our Oregon hair transplant clinic, Dr. Gabel will obtain a detailed history on each patient to determine how they have healed in the past with surgical procedures. There are also some physical characteristics that predispose patients to scarring. When Dr. Gabel examines his patients, he will discuss the risk of scarring prior to any hair transplant procedure.