Current Techniques Make Hair Transplantation Rewarding to Any Aesthetic Surgical Practice

In the document from March 2000, the author discusses the technical and artistic aspects of hair transplantation, a common aesthetic surgical procedure for men. The author emphasizes the importance of hair density in donor areas, with approximately 17 donor hairs within a 4-mm circle being ideal. Techniques for hair transplantation have evolved from using larger grafts, which created an unnatural "pluggy" look, to smaller grafts and even single follicles. The author describes a "feathering zone" technique for creating a natural-looking hairline, using different sizes of grafts to gradually increase hair density. Anesthesia is achieved with a combination of lidocaine, bupivacaine hydrochloride, and epinephrine, and a supraorbital block. The donor hair is harvested with a multi-bladed knife, and recipient sites are created at a 45° angle to mimic natural hair growth. The team then cuts the harvested strip into grafts and places them into the recipient sites. Postoperative care includes a gel dressing, antibiotics, and analgesics, with patients typically returning to work the next day. The author also mentions a multicenter study showing benefits of using a laser in hair transplantation, such as reduced bleeding and faster recipient site creation, although it is suitable only for patients with little to no hair. The document provides references for further information on hair transplantation.