Alternative method for creating fine hairs with hair removal laser in hair transplantation for hairline correction

Evaluation of hair transplantation for improving unnatural hairlines after laser hair removal: A multicenter retrospective study

CONTEXT

Laser hair removal treatment for hairlines with an unsatisfactory appearance often leads to an unnatural appearance; however, few studies have reported treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the satisfaction rate of laser hair removal involving the hairline.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Data from 5 clinical institutions.

PATIENTS

Patients (915; 630 female and 285 male) who underwent laser hair removal.

INTERVENTIONS

Issues associated with hair removal were classified, and their proportions were calculated. Hair transplantation was performed to improve the appearance of different hairline issues.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Relevant indicators of hair transplantation and postoperative effects.

RESULTS

Overall, 82 patients were unsatisfied with their hairline appearance; of these patients, 58 underwent hair transplantation to improve the hairline. Additionally, demographic statistics showed that 68% and 32% of patients were in the 20 to 30 and 30 to 40 years age groups, respectively; there were no patients in the 40 to 50 years age group. Among female patients who underwent hair transplantation, 25% had a poor hairline position, 64% had a stiff hairline appearance, and 11% experienced both issues. Among male patients, 50% had a stiff hairline appearance, 28% had temporal absence, and 22% experienced both issues. Surgical treatment included moving the hairline forward and rebuilding the frontal curves. All patients were satisfied with hair transplantation outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Laser hair removal can result in diverse types of unnatural hairlines. Hair transplantation has been proven to effectively improve the aesthetic appearance of the hairline.

Secondary Revision of Female Hairline Correction Surgery: Personal Experience

Patients undergoing secondary female hairline correction surgery present with dissatisfaction of various causes that require specific solutions. Satisfactory results following secondary revision surgery are achieved only after consideration of the reasons for the patient's dissatisfaction as well as specific factors regarding the state of the hairline, height and width of the forehead, and overall facial type; all of these must be considered when choosing the most suitable surgical method. In the present study, the authors used various surgical approaches according to the patient's characteristics and presenting symptoms in the performance of secondary hairline correction surgery and evaluated the adequacy of each method using a satisfaction survey. In total, 246 patients who underwent hairline correction surgery by hair transplantation were enrolled in this study. As adjunctive procedures prior to surgery, 24 patients received triamcinolone injections every 1-2 weeks to ameliorate severe hyperfibrotic scarring, and laser hair removal was performed in part of the recipient area in 18 patients to remove old transplanted grafts that had created an awkward appearance or were unnecessary. Revision of female hairline correction surgery was performed with FUT (follicular unit transplantation) in 156 patients (63.4%), partial-shave FUE (follicular unit extraction) in 12 patients (4.9%), a combination technique (FUT + FUE) in 24 patients (9.8%), and non-shaven FUE in 54 patients (22.0%). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Unconventional Uses of Laser Hair Removal: A Review

Laser hair removal since its availability has been primarily used for aesthetic purposes. Over the years, it has emerged as an important therapeutic modality in various dermatological and surgical disorders, both as an adjuvant and as a monotherapy. Depending on the skin type, all laser hair removal systems have been used with good results and minimal complications. We hereby review the diverse range of unconventional indications of laser hair removal.

Hair Diameter Variation in Different Vertical Regions of the Occipital Safe Donor Area

BACKGROUND

Little is known concerning hair diameter variation within the safe donor area for hair transplantation surgery. Thicker or thinner hair may be needed, depending on the recipient area, hairline design, and the purpose of surgery.

METHODS

Twenty-seven patients (7 men and 20 women; mean age, 28 years; range, 20-47 years) were included in this study. The midoccipital point was used as the reference point on the horizontal plane at the upper border of the helical rim. The target area width was 15 cm (7.5 cm to the right and left of the reference point) and the height was 8 cm (2 cm above and 6 cm below the reference point). The study area was divided horizontally into 3 5-cm sections (A, B, C) and vertically into 4 2-cm sections (1-4), creating a total of 12 zones. Ten anagen hairs were randomly obtained from each zone and their diameters were measured.

RESULTS

Hair diameter in the 4 vertical sections varied significantly, gradually decreasing from sections 1 (superior) to 4 (inferior) in all 3 horizontal sections (A, B, and C).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that sections 1 and 2 of the occipital safe donor area would be useful for obtaining thicker hair, such as in procedures to treat male- and female-pattern hair loss, whereas hair from zones 3 and 4 could be useful for transplantation surgery requiring thinner hair, such as eyebrows, eyelashes, and female hairline correction. Our results may be clinically valuable for planning hair transplant surgery and choosing the optimal donor region.

Hair diameter evaluation in different regions of the safe donor area in Asian populations

BACKGROUND

There is little information about how hair diameter differences within the safe donor area. Thicker or thinner hair may be needed depending on the recipient area, hairline design, and surgical purpose.

METHODS

Thirty-eight non-alopecic subjects (19 males and 19 females) were evaluated. The safe donor area was defined as the area contained within 28 cm from the horizontal plane of the upper border of the hair rim to the vertical line of the bilateral external acoustic meatus. Seven zones were defined starting 2 cm on each side (bilateral 4 cm) from the mid-occiput to the temporal side. The diameters of 10 randomly selected anagen hairs were measured from each of the seven zones.

RESULTS

The results showed significant differences in hair diameter by zone between males and females (P < 0.0001). In general, hair diameter tended to decrease from zone 3 to 7.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that safe donor areas between zones 4 and 7 could be useful for specific hair transplantation surgeries requiring thinner hair, such as eyebrows, eyelashes, and female hairline correction surgery, whereas hair from zones 1-3 could be more useful for those requiring thicker hair, such as male and female pattern hair loss. Our data could be clinically valuable for planning hair transplant surgery and choosing the most optimal donor region.