Follicular unit hair transplantation offers many advantages, but hair transplant surgeons continue to debate whether it is worth the effort.
A recent paper that clearly differentiates this hair transplant technique from the older technique of mini-micrografting cut to size is a step toward resolution of this controversy, while a new implanting device minimizes some of the time intensiveness of the hair transplant procedure may further popularize follicular unit transplantation, said Robert M. Bernstein, M.D.
“We felt it was necessary to clearly define follicular unit hair transplantation and mini-micrografting cut to size,” explained Dr. Bernstein, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York. “Follicular unit transplantation has many theoretical advantages… having standardized definitions of these hair transplantation techniques will allow us to make valid comparisons.”
Dr. Bernstein said the elements defining follicular unit hair transplantation include exclusive transplantation of hair in its naturally occurring individual follicular units…
Synopsis: This section, published in a textbook for professional estheticians, explains basic concepts of follicular unit hair transplantation in easy-to-understand terms.
Synopsis: This article uncovers an attempt by the proponents of slot grafting to rename this technique (which produces poor cosmetic results) and call it “follicular unit coupling,” so that unwary patients will think that it is actually a variation of follicular unit transplantation.
Synopsis: This short paper summarizes the article that advises to physicians to limit the use of adrenaline when performing large hair transplant sessions and it explains various practical ways to accomplish this.
Synopsis: This paper argues for standardization in the classification of various hair transplant techniques in order to facilitate communication between hair restoration surgeons and their patients and to aid in scientific research.
Synopsis: This paper discusses the evolution and rationale for follicular unit hair transplantation, as well as the logic for the various techniques used in its implementation. The central role of the follicular unit constant in the surgical planning is discussed, as well as the importance of keeping recipient sites small, using microscopic dissection and performing large hair transplant sessions.
Synopsis: As the twentieth century drew to a close, this paper looked into the future to try to discern the direction that hair transplantation was headed in the next millennium. Particular areas of interest were; the follicular unit/mini-micrograft controversy, graft storage mediums, how to maximize the donor supply, methods to enhance wound healing, automated devices, lasers, new medications, cloning and genetic engineering.
The dissecting microscope takes some getting used to, but using it makes more efficient use of donor hair during follicular unit transplantation than magnifying loupes with transillumination, reported Dr. Robert Bernstein.
At the 6th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons held in Washington, D.C. in 1998, Dr. Walter Unger (defending the “old guard”) debated Dr. Bernstein (representing the new technique of Follicular Unit Transplantation) in front of an audience of over 450 hair restoration surgeons from around the world. Dr. Unger took the position that large grafts still had a place in surgical hair restoration, particularly for creating density. Dr. Bernstein took the position that the new procedure of Follicular Unit Transplantation could create that density while at the same time achieving a completely natural look — something large graft procedures were incapable of doing. He argued that the versatility and naturalness of Follicular Unit Transplantation rendered the older procedures obsolete.
“We felt it was necessary to clearly define follicular unit hair transplantation and mini-micrografting cut to size,” explained Dr. Bernstein, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York. “Follicular unit transplantation has many theoretical advantages… having standardized definitions of these hair transplantation techniques will allow us to make valid comparisons.”
The dissecting microscope takes some getting used to, but using it makes more efficient use of donor hair during follicular unit transplantation than magnifying loupes with transillumination, reported Dr. Robert Bernstein.
