Preface

The preface of the document highlights the complexity and rapid development of the field of hair restoration and laser hair removal, emphasizing the challenges faced by surgeons in staying updated with current knowledge and techniques. It introduces the monographs in the issue of Dermatologic Clinics as essential reading, containing new information not previously published. Dr. Keith Kaufman's contribution on androgen metabolism and androgenic alopecia is noted for its detailed discussion necessary for understanding the drugs prescribed to patients. The importance of photographic documentation in research is addressed by Douglas Canfield's article, which aims to guide surgeons in improving their photographic skills. Philpott et al.'s work on "Whole Hair Follicular Culture" is recognized for its clinical application in evaluating holding media for transplant surgeons and potential as a standard model for assessing factors that could harm graft growth. Dr. Marc Pomerantz's article on hairline design is praised for its insights into the art of transplantation, and research by Dr. Jeff Whitworth and the guest editor, Dr. Dow Stough, compares current techniques in hair restoration. Dr. Stough believes this issue will provide core knowledge beneficial for the future, moving beyond the older techniques of the 1990s.