TLDR Transplanting chest hair into scalp scars may effectively treat wide donor scars in hair restoration.
In a letter to the editor, Dr. Robert Jones discussed a method for treating wide donor scars, a common issue in hair restoration surgery resulting from poor donor site laxity or excision of too wide a strip. The method involves transplanting chest hair into the scar using follicular unit extraction, which involves removing hair follicles one at a time with a 1-mm punch. The grafts are then quickly transplanted into the recipient sites, minimizing the time they are out of the body to 10 to 20 seconds. The patient in the discussed case showed almost immediate hair growth within 3 months postoperatively, with the grafts planted at a density of about 30 per square centimeter. The final results are expected to take up to a full year, but early indications suggest that body hair transplanted into scalp scars can be a viable solution for this problem.
24 citations,
August 2013 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America” Hair restoration surgery can have complications; success depends on patient education, careful planning, and proper execution.
51 citations,
July 2008 in “Dermatologic Therapy” The document concludes that surgery is a preferred treatment for cicatricial alopecia, with the method chosen based on individual factors and may require multiple sessions and careful postoperative care.
9 citations,
March 2020 in “Dermatologic Surgery” Both Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) are effective hair transplant methods; the best choice depends on the patient's needs and the surgeon's preference.
2 citations,
August 2013 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America” The conclusion is that careful planning and technique in hair transplant surgery are crucial for successful graft harvesting and minimizing scars, with proper aftercare to avoid complications.
4 citations,
January 2005 in “Elsevier eBooks” Follicular Unit Transplantation is a precise hair restoration technique that requires careful planning and a skilled team, and Follicular Unit Extraction offers a less invasive option.
