Alternative Method for Creating Fine Hairs with Hair Removal Laser in Hair Transplantation for Hairline Correction

Abstract

BackgroundForemost fine hairs in the frontal hairline region are critical in hair transplantation for hairline correction (HTHC) in women. However, there are few studies on a nonsurgical revisionary method for improving an unnatural foremost hairline with thick donor hairs resulting from a previous HTHC.ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of using a hair removal laser (HRL) system to create fine hairs in Asian women with thick donor hairs.MethodsThrough a retrospective chart review, the HRL parameters, hair diameter (measured with a micrometer before and after the procedures), subjective results after the procedures, adverse effects, and the number of procedures were investigated. The reduction rate of the hair diameter was calculated.ResultsTwenty-four women who received long-pulse Neodymium-Doped:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet therapy after HTHC were included. The parameters were as follows: delivered laser energy, 35~36 J/cm2; pulse duration, 6 ms; and spot size, 10 mm. The mean number of laser sessions was 2.6. The mean hair diameter significantly decreased from 80.0±11.5 µm to 58.4±13.2 µm (p=0.00). The mean rate of hair diameter reduction was -25.7% (range, -44.6% to 5.7%). The number of laser sessions and the hair diameter after the procedures showed a negative correlation (r=-0.410, p=0.046). Most of the patients (87.5%) reported subjective improvement of their hairlines. Most complications were transient and mild.ConclusionHRL can be an alternative method for creating fine hairs and revising foremost hairline in Asian women with thick donor hairs.

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

“…When adequate thin hairs are not obtained in hairline correction surgery, very awkward surgical results can occur, sometimes requiring laser treatment to thin the transplanted hairs [ 13 , 14 ]. Eyebrow and eyelash transplantation are good examples of situations where thin hairs are required as much as possible.…”

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

“…Therefore, various methods and techniques have been used to make individual hairs appear thin so that they create a soft and natural appearance. For example, a hair removal laser may be used to thin the donor hair following transplantation …”

Prospective, randomized, evaluator‐blinded study of the long pulse 532‐nm KTP laser alone or in combination with the long pulse 1064‐nm Nd: YAG laser on facial rejuvenation in Asian skin

“…Four areas of the face were evaluated for calculation: forehead (F), right malar (RM), left malar (LM) and chin (C), corresponding to 30%, 30%, 30%, and 10% of the face [10]. [9], graded on a scale of 0-4, where:…”

“…For each area: Area affected by pigmentation, graded on a scale from 0 to 6, where: 0 = no pigmentation, 1 = less than 10%, 2 = 10–29%, 3 = 30–49%, 4 = 50–69%, 5 = 70–89%, and 6 = 90–100%. Darkness, graded on a scale of 0–4, where: 0 = absent, 1 = slight, 2 = mild, 3 = marked, and 4 = severe. Density, or the number of pigmented lesions per facial area , graded on a scale of 0–4, where: 0 = minimal, 1 = slight, 2 = mild, 3 = marked, and 4 = maximum. …”