A Review of Modern Surgical Hair Restoration Techniques
January 2008
in “
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery
”
TLDR Modern hair restoration techniques have evolved from punch grafting to methods like micro-grafting and follicular unit transplantation, but they are labor-intensive, expensive, and can lead to patient dissatisfaction. Future treatments may involve cloned hair follicles and drugs like finasteride.
The document, from 15 years ago, reviewed the evolution of surgical hair restoration techniques up to 2007. It discussed the transition from the initial "punch grafting" technique to more modern methods like "micro-grafting," "mini-grafting," and "follicular unit transplantation." It also mentioned alternative approaches like the Choi Implanter and the development of follicular unit extraction (FUE) to address issues with scarring. The document emphasized the importance of the surgeon's skill and noted that hair transplantation had become labor-intensive and expensive. It also highlighted the increasing patient dissatisfaction due to unrealistic expectations set by surgeons. The potential of cloned hair follicles and the impact of the drug finasteride on early hair loss treatment were also discussed, suggesting that chemical and genetic correction might eventually replace surgical hair transplantation.
