The Optimal Holding Solution and Temperature for Hair Follicle Grafts

In 2012, researchers studied the optimal conditions for storing hair follicle grafts during hair transplantation procedures. They found that a saline solution with added ATP was the best holding solution, and the optimal storage temperature was 4 degrees Celsius. These findings were based on a study of 100 hair follicle grafts. However, a review conducted the same year found no definitive evidence that any specific protocol improved hair survival, though it noted a study suggesting grafts stored in chilled Hypothermosol with ATP had better yields than those in chilled saline. Another study suggested synthetic preservation solutions designed to inhibit cellular changes from ischemia and hypoxia might be superior to culture medium or saline, and that grafts should only be chilled when stored in an intracellular medium. Despite these findings, no ideal temperature or holding solution for hair restoration surgery was defined based on the studies available at that time.