Trichophytic Closure

Robert M. Bernstein, M.D. F.A.A.D., Hair Transplant Surgeon in New York

New York, N.Y. – A new “trichophytic” donor closure technique (“tricho”) provides improved camouflage of a linear donor scar in Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Normally, in FUT, the surrounding hair easily covers the scar. For some patients with very short hairstyles, the resulting donor scar may be visible. With the trichophytic closure technique Dr. Bernstein trims one of the wound edges (upper or lower), allowing the edges to overlap each other and the hair to grow directly through the donor scar. This can significantly improve the appearance of the donor area in patients who wear their hair very short.

The trichophytic donor closure can be used on patients who have had previous hair transplant procedures and are looking for improvement in the camouflage of their donor scar. It is also used in patients in their first hair restoration procedure. It is particularly useful in repair or corrective work.

For patients with short hair, this offers an alternative to Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) which is generally a less efficient way to obtain hair from the donor area.

For additional information on closures see Donor Area.