Hydrogen Peroxide and Wound Healing: A Theoretical and Practical Review for Hair Transplant Surgeons

The document from 2008 reviewed the role of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in hair transplant surgery, focusing on its impact on wound healing. It found that while H₂O₂ is commonly used for cleaning wounds, there is a lack of sufficient data to support its use in hair restoration, with only two pilot studies available. The review indicated that H₂O₂ has both potential positive effects, such as stimulating growth factors, and negative effects, like cytotoxicity and reduced keratinocyte migration, which could slow healing and increase scarring. The paper concluded that the optimal concentration of H₂O₂ for hair transplant surgery is unknown and that its use should be avoided in certain wound conditions due to the risk of damage and delayed healing. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of H₂O₂ on wound healing in the context of hair restoration surgery.