Pubic Hair as Donor Area in Hair Transplantation

ABSTRACTFollicular unit extraction (FUE) is one of the widely practiced minimally invasive follicular harvesting techniques employed during hair transplantation. FUE technique has an advantage of utilising lower occipital area and supra-auricular region as a safe donor area described by Unger, in addition to the standard occipital donor area used in strip method (follicular unit transplant). Despite its potential advantages such as rapid recovery, minimal scarring and reduced post-operative pain; its widespread acceptance is limited due to various factors in variable contribution like steeper learning curve and potentially higher follicular transection rates (FTRs). The main practical drawbacks in harvesting FUE from lower occipital donor region that lie inferior to the standard donor area, is its acute angle (10°–15°) of emergent hair from scalp skin, higher variance angle (15°–35°) between hairs below the skin and hair exit angle above the skin and comparatively loose scalp, preventing to provide stable platform for punching. Hair transplant surgeon faces difficulty in aligning and engaging the FUE punch leading to very high hair follicle transection rate, and therefore, it is not a preferred site for harvesting follicles in FUE. Authors description of modified technique using reverse rake scalp elevator helps in negating the acute angle of the hair follicles exit from scalp skin and reducing the variance angle between emergent hair and hair below the skin in lower occipital region thereby reducing FTR. Furthermore, an added advantage of reducing the overall operative time and surgeon fatigue, improve donor area healing, availability of a comparatively larger donor area which increases the confidence of the beginners. This method will be of help as it is easy to duplicate and follow by novice hair transplant surgeons and also for those who are routinely doing mega hair transplants sessions.

Download Full-text

The Use of Infrared Coagulation in Hair Transplant and Scalp Reduction Surgery

The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery ◽

10.1177/074880689501200107 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 35-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gary S. Hitzig ◽

John P. Schwinning ◽

Seymour L. Handler

Keyword(s):

The United States ◽

Hair Transplantation ◽

Electrical Shock ◽

Laser Technology ◽

Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽

Hair Transplant ◽

Donor Area ◽

Infrared Coagulation ◽

Bleeding Hemorrhoids ◽

The Ideal

The infrared coagulator, a spin off of laser technology, has been used for more than a decade, first in Europe and then in the United States, for the in-office elimination of first and second degree hemorrhoids. Even more recently, it has been employed in the treatment and removal of unwanted tattoos. This device has been FDA approved for both anorectal and dermatologic applications. Within the last year, we have conducted a thorough study in our practice of the use and comparison of electrocoagulation, radiosurgical coagulation, and infrared coagulation during both hair transplantation and scalp reduction surgery. The infrared coagulator with its multiple-sized tips and pinpoint accuracy has proven to be superior (especially in a wet field) in providing excellent hemostasis, allowing minimal blood loss, and in allowing the clearest visual field in performing both hair transplant and scalp reduction surgery. Because no ground or antenna plates are necessary for the use of the device, it is extremely safe and effective and thus minimizes both patient risk and electrical shock. Its excellent effect in a wet field (it's used in bleeding hemorrhoids) as well as its uncumbersome size and versatility, makes it the ideal instrument for use during hair transplant and scalp reduction surgery. The device has been tested in the treatment of arteriovenous fistulas in the donor area of the scalp as well and has proved to be quite safe and effective. This paper presents a study encompassing 110 patients undergoing either hair transplant or scalp reduction surgery. Each different modality of coagulation is utilized for the various transplant or scalp reduction sessions on the same patient. Comparisons of effectiveness and postoperative complications are made. Detailed results and photographs are presented.

Download Full-text

Hair Transplantation: Management of Donor Area

Dermatologic Surgery ◽

10.1046/j.1524-4725.2002.01150.x ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 136-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Gerard E. Seery

Keyword(s):

Hair Transplantation ◽

Donor Area

Download Full-text

Hair Transplantation Update

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/120347549800200313 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 180-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Vince Bertucci ◽

Daniel Berg ◽

Sheldon V. Pollack

Keyword(s):

Review Of The Literature ◽

Hair Transplantation ◽

Recipient Site ◽

Male Pattern Baldness ◽

New Methods ◽

Donor Area ◽

Highly Effective ◽

Hair Coverage ◽

Male Pattern ◽

Natural Method

Background: Since the first published description in 1959, hair transplantation has progressed tremendously. Objective: This article provides an overview of hair transplantation and a discussion of selected controversies in hair transplantation. Methods: A review of the literature was undertaken to identify current controversies. Results: Hair transplantation has been refined considerably since it was first performed. As new methods are described, controversies arise. In hair transplantation, these include use of various forms of anaesthesia, the planning of the recipient site, method of harvesting the donor area, megatransplant sessions, isolated frontal forelock transplantation, and use of lasers in hair transplantation. Conclusion: Hair transplantation is a time-tested, highly effective, permanent and natural method of improving male-pattern baldness and female alopecia. Improvements in technique continue to be developed, requiring one to keep abreast of changes in the field in order to provide patients with the best hair coverage possible while maintaining a natural appearance.

Download Full-text

Noninvasive Assessment of Donor Area in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia undergoing Hair Transplantation by Digital Imaging Technique

International Journal of Dermoscopy ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10061-0011 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 50-53

Author(s):

BS Chandrashekar ◽

C Madura ◽

Pavan Raj

Keyword(s):

Digital Imaging ◽

Imaging Technique ◽

Hair Follicles ◽

Androgenetic Alopecia ◽

Hair Transplantation ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Donor Area ◽

Invasive Method ◽

Noninvasive Assessment ◽

Method Of Assessment

ABSTRACT Trichoscopic digital imaging is one of the safe, accurate and non invasive method of assessment of donor area for pre transplant evaluation that aids in further plan of action. Our study aimed to calculate the hair density, hair follicular unit density, grouping of hair, average hair per unit, total number hair follicles and follicular units in the safe donor zone. Thorough donor area assessment prior to the hair transplantation is very important to assess the yield of grafts and over all treatment outcome. It is useful in planning the utilization of the grafts for present and future surgeries depending on patient's age and progression of baldness How to cite this article Raj P, Madura C, Chandrashekar BS. Noninvasive Assessment of Donor Area in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia undergoing Hair Transplantation by Digital Imaging Technique. Int J Dermoscop 2017;1(2):50-53.

Download Full-text