Use of Nape and Peri-Auricular Hair by Follicular Unit Extraction to Create Soft Hairlines and Temples: My Experience With 128 Patients
September 2015
in “
Aesthetic Surgery Journal
”
TLDR Transplanting hair from the nape and around the ear to the hairline and temples generally satisfies patients and looks natural.
From November 2006 to November 2011, Dr. Sanusi Umar conducted a study on 128 patients using follicular unit extraction (FUE) to transplant nape and peri-auricular (NPA) hair to the hairlines and temples. The study aimed to evaluate the permanence and satisfaction of using NPA hair for hairline transplantation. Initial survey results from 71% of patients showed a mean satisfaction of 8.3 out of 10, with full hair coverage at 9.6 months post-surgery. Nineteen patients reported graft loss initially. A follow-up survey years later maintained high satisfaction at 8.5 out of 10, with 15% reporting new graft loss. The study concluded that NPA hair can create soft, natural-looking hairlines, but patient selection is key to long-lasting results. However, limitations such as non-validated surveys and potential biases were acknowledged.