An Innovative Scalp-Dyeing Technique with Gentian Violet Solution During Follicular Unit Extraction for White-Haired Follicular Units
March 2017
in “
Archives of Plastic Surgery
”
TLDR A new method using gentian violet dye makes it easier to see and work with white hair in hair transplant surgeries.
In 2017, Min Seon Moon and Jong Pil Choi introduced an innovative technique for improving the visualization of white hair during follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedures. They used a 1% gentian violet (G-V) solution to dye the scalp skin purple around the white hair follicles, which allowed surgeons to easily focus on the center of the follicular unit, rapidly perform punching, and recognize the condition of the harvested follicular units. Additionally, the hair transplant team could maintain a clear view for trimming and loading the grafts into the implanter. This method was particularly beneficial for patients with white hair, as it provided good visualization for donor site harvesting and microdissection. The authors suggested that this simple dyeing technique could be a useful addition to FUE procedures, especially in challenging cases with white-haired patients. Further research was recommended to assess the impact of this technique on the punching procedure and the quality of FUE grafts.
