Harvested vs Estimated Follicular Units in Hair Transplantation

August 2018 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Yau‐Li Huang, Mei‐Ching Lee, Shyue‐Luen Chang, Sindy Hu, Chun‐Shin Chang, Ying‐Fang Lin, Chun‐Yu Cheng

androgenetic alopecia follicular unit transplantation FUT follicular units hair transplants scalp laxity follicular unit density hair loss hair transplant hair grafts

TLDR Actual harvested hair follicles were fewer and differed in type from estimated, with older patients and those with multiple transplants needing more careful planning.

The study analyzed 65 male patients with androgenetic alopecia who underwent follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and found that the actual number of harvested follicular units (3162.22 ± 958.30) was lower than the estimated number (3319.25 ± 1007.86). The harvested grafts had more 1-hair units and fewer 3-hair units than estimated. Older patients and those with multiple hair transplants had lower follicular unit density and scalp laxity, suggesting they may need a larger harvesting area and more careful management. The study also reported no significant difference in follicular unit density based on the severity of hair loss, but did find racial differences, with Caucasians having higher densities than Asians. The findings indicate a need for improved preoperative estimations and caution in managing certain patient groups.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

8 / 8 results

research Retrospective Assessment of Follicular Unit Density in Asian Men With Androgenetic Alopecia

9 citations, March 2017 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Asian men with hair loss have different follicular densities: East/Southeast 61.1, South 63.5, West 63.6 FU/cm².

research Age-Related Hair Changes in Men: Mechanisms and Management of Alopecia and Graying

37 citations, October 2014 in “Maturitas”

Men's hair loss is caused by hormones and genes, and can be treated with medication and surgery, while graying is due to aging and has no prevention except dyeing.

research Estimating the Number of Lifetime Follicular Units: A Survey and Comments of Experienced Hair Transplant Surgeons

13 citations, January 2013 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Experienced hair transplant surgeons suggest a limited number of hair follicles can be used for transplants, and recommend conservative methods to avoid scarring and depletion.

Evidence of Increased DNA Methylation of the Androgen Receptor Gene in Occipital Hair Follicles from Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Evidence of Increased DNA Methylation of the Androgen Receptor Gene in Occipital Hair Follicles from Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

24 citations, July 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Men with hair loss have more DNA changes in back-of-head hair follicles, possibly protecting them from thinning.

research Surgical Anatomy of the Scalp

28 citations, July 2002 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Understanding scalp anatomy is crucial for successful and safe scalp surgery.

The Distribution of Follicular Units in the Chinese Scalp: Implications for Reconstruction of Natural-Appearing Hairlines in Orientals

research The Distribution of Follicular Units in the Chinese Scalp: Implications for Reconstruction of Natural-Appearing Hairlines in Orientals

17 citations, June 2002 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Chinese patients have fewer hair follicles than Caucasians, and transplanting hair at 40% of normal density works for natural-looking hairlines.

research Distribution of Human Hair in Follicular Units

83 citations, April 1999 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

The research found that for a typical hair density, about 11 square centimeters of donor scalp is needed to get 800 hair grafts for transplantation.

Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

416 citations, September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community COMPLETE OVERVIEW of the Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men

26 upvotes 10 years ago

Male androgenetic alopecia is commonly treated with topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, both requiring continuous use. Other options include hair restoration surgery, dutasteride, light therapy, and camouflaging agents.

community So we have 20k dollars human like machines available but no new effective treatment for hairloss since finasteride :)

in Chat 237 upvotes 2 months ago

There have been no new effective hair loss treatments since finasteride, despite technological advancements. Current treatments include finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841, with ongoing challenges and potential future solutions in research.

community Hair Cloning, Trials were supposed to begin 2020-2021

in Technology 48 upvotes 4 years ago

The conversation discusses hair cloning trials expected to start in 2020-2021 and mentions concerns about potential delays due to the Coronavirus. Treatments like Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841 are referenced.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 4 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community scarring alopecia awareness in this community

in Chat 33 upvotes 2 years ago

Lichen Planopilaris (LPP), a form of permanent hair loss, which can be mistaken for seborrheic dermatitis and is characterized by scalp itching, burning, redness, and dandruff. Treatment options discussed include steroidal creams, finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841.

community 6 months after FUE. I know hair is longer and different light, but the resultat is amazing so far. Confidence is skyhigh!

in Transplants 3 years ago

User had successful FUE hair transplant with 3500 grafts, costing 3900 euros at Novohair in Berlin, gaining confidence. User lost hair due to chemo, family history of hair loss at 40-50 years old.

Related Research

9 / 9 results

research Surgical Interventions for Androgenetic Alopecia

March 2021 in “Dermatological reviews”

Hair transplant works well, but needs more research for better results.

research Investigation and Analysis of 1030 Primary Hair Transplantation Cases: A Retrospective Study

1 citations, October 2018 in “European Journal of Plastic Surgery”

The study found that hair transplant complications are rare, with swelling being the most common issue.

research Harvested vs Estimated Follicular Units in Hair Transplantation

4 citations, August 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Actual harvested hair follicles were fewer and differed in type from estimated, with older patients and those with multiple transplants needing more careful planning.

research The Effect of One Session Low Level Laser Therapy on Extracted Follicular Units in Hair Transplantation

6 citations, January 2016 in “Journal of lasers in medical sciences”

One session of Low Level Laser Therapy before hair transplantation doesn't significantly improve hair growth.

research Basic Hair Transplantation: 2007

15 citations, December 2007 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Hair transplantation has improved with techniques that increase graft survival and patient satisfaction for more natural results.

Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Medical and Surgical Treatments

research Modern Hair Restoration Surgery

23 citations, March 2001 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Hair restoration surgery techniques have evolved, with focus on patient selection and realistic goals, and future advancements may include cloning and gene therapy.