Hair Transplantation: Editorial from March-April 1985

The editorial from March-April 1985 discusses the significance of hair transplantation in improving the quality of life for individuals affected by scars, aging, and genetic blemishes. It emphasizes the emotional and psychological impact of such marks and the surgical efforts to align a patient's appearance with societal ideals. The issue of HEAD & NECK SURGERY in question provides a comprehensive overview of medical and surgical options for treating genetic or acquired baldness, with some techniques also applicable to post-tumor reconstruction. A key limitation highlighted is the need for suitable donor sites, as current transplantation immunology only allows the patient to be their own donor, with a limited number of hair follicles available for transplant. The editorial also mentions the historical struggle to find treatments for hair loss and anticipates new medical treatments for alopecia that are undergoing premarketing trials. The success in this research area is noted as a potential claim to fame for the scientists involved. The editorial, written by Helmuth Goepfert, MD, thanks Toby G. Mayer, MD, for his guest editorship of the issue and invites reader comments.