Current techniques make hair transplantation rewarding to any aesthetic surgical practice

Abstract

The recreation of a hairline is a procedure that requires both technical ability for the mechanics of hair transplantation and an artistic sense for its design. Hair transplantation is one of the most common aesthetic surgical procedures done in men, but it is less often performed by plastic surgeons than by other specialists. In my view, this procedure will serve as a rewarding adjunct to any aesthetic surgical practice. Hair transplantation requires additional trained personnel for assistance. If willing to learn the technique, 1 or 2 medical staffers, such as a registered nurse and a surgical technician, can offer immeasurable support, and the rewards of shortened surgical time are substantial. Barry E. DiBernardo, MD, Montclair, NJ , is a board-certified plastic surgeon and an ASAPS member. When patients come into my office for hair transplantation, I evaluate the density of the donor hair using a guide consisting of a 4-mm circle; within this circle, the patient should have approximately 17 donor hairs. Densities far below this number would indicate that the patient is not a good candidate for hair transplantation. Placement and number of hair grafts are then determined. Hairline designs have improved over the years. When I first began performing hair transplantation, larger grafts were used; these gave a grafted or “pluggy” look to the hairline. The evolution of this procedure has created smaller grafts, to the point where single hairs or even follicles are …