Does Haphazard Implantation of Follicular Units Affect the Long-Term Outcome of Hair Growth Redirection in Hair Restoration Surgery in Male Baldness?

A decade ago, a study was conducted on 15 male patients with grades II, III, and IV male pattern baldness to evaluate the impact of follicular unit implantation direction on the outcome of hair restoration surgery. The researchers used the strip graft technique for harvesting the follicular units and a spear-shaped instrument for the procedure, which minimized injury and left no visible scars. The study found that the direction of the incisions and transplanted hair had no effect on the final direction of hair growth, and that hair could be directed through regular combing. It was also noted that proper assessment of hair direction could not be made until at least seven months post-operation due to the various phases of hair growth. The researchers concluded that time spent during surgery to insert follicular units in a specific direction was unwarranted, as it had no impact on the final direction of hair growth.