A comparative study on the rate of anagen effluvium and survival rates of scalp, beard, and chest hair in hair restoration procedure of scalp

Abstract

Background: The use of non-scalp donor hair is considered in situations of a relative or absolute lack of head donor hair supply. Till now, very few published works are present on body hair transplant. None of them have compared scalp and non-scalp hair in terms of survival as well as characteristics. Objective: To compare the characteristics such as rate of anagen effluvium and survival rates of scalp, beard, and chest hair in hair restoration procedure of scalp. Materials and Methods: Three blocks of 1cm 2 were marked on a non-frontal area. Thirty slits with a 0.9mm blade were made in each block. Single follicular unit was taken from scalp, beard, and chest area and was implanted simultaneously in each block, respectively. The areas were evaluated for any graft loss, anagen effluvium, and survival rate. Results: During initial period of 2 months, anagen effluvium in scalp (40%) and beard (30%) were significantly less than body (53.3%) hair with excellent survival rate of beard (95%), followed by scalp (89%) and then followed by chest hair (76%) at 1 year. Conclusion: Non-scalp hair can become an excellent source of donor area for hair restoration procedure.

Utility of Follicular Unit Excision using Non-Scalp Donor Hair

“…Although no longterm studies exist, the survival rates from body hair transplants (BHT) are less then scalp hair as the grafts are more fragile, and it is technically more difficult to extract resulting in a higher transection rate. In 2019, Gupta et al studied five patients and found the 12-month survival rate of beard, scalp and chest were 94%, 88%, and 75% respectfully 14 . Given that the beard and torso are the favorable sites to harvest body hair, this chapter will focus on the general principles of FUE from those areas.…”

Utility of Follicular Unit Excision Using Nonscalp Donor Hair

“…In 2019, Gupta et al studied five patients and found the 12month survival rate of beard, scalp, and chest were 94, 88, and 75%, respectively. 13 Given that the beard and torso are the favorable sites to harvest body hair, this article will focus on the general principles of FUE from those areas.…”

Using Nonscalp Hair in Scalp Hair Restoration—Theory and Execution

“…Survival rate is even more important that transection rate. 24 Graft storage and handling and atraumatic insertion are key to good yields. We always tell the patient that the first session of body hair extraction is, in a way, a test.…”