The preshaving protocol in body hair-to-scalp transplant to identify hair in anagen phase

Abstract

Introduction:The use of body donor hair for transplanting to the bald scalp is termed body hair transplant. In recent times, robust body hair has been used as an adjunct to scalp donor hair to augment the donor hair supply. A large percentage of body hair are in telogen and, as single hair units.Aims:To devise a non invasive protocol to identify the body donor hair in anagen phase prior to extraction.Materials and Methods:Hairs are shaved flush with the skin, four days prior to extraction. On fourth day, the actively growing hair follicles as well as non growing hairs were extracted and phase of hair growth determined. Results: Nineteen out 22 extracted hair follicles in nongrowing phase were found to be the telogen phase.Conclusion:Preshaving the body donor areas is a simple non invasive method of isolating the hair in anagen phase.

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

“…Therefore, preshaving protocol has been advised by few authors for body hair. [13] However, we did not carry out any anagen selection and we hope for further studies to notify any practical difference between anagen and telogen growth.…”

Body hair transplantation: Case report of successful outcome

“…[2] The rationale has been confirmed in a few published reports. [3][4][5] Further, since the procedure is performed by extraction method which produces very small scars, and body is a cosmetically less significant area, body hairs can help to provide an alternative source of donor hair in selected patients. This is particularly so in Indian patients, who do not expose body in public as sunbathing so common in the west, is not popular in Indians.…”

“…[2] However, proper studies of successful body hair transplantation are yet to be documented and PubMed search revealed only few published case reportsr. [3][4][5] We report the outcome of transplantation of hairs from different areas such as chest, abdomen, arms, back, and thighs in a patient.…”

Body to scalp: Evolving trends in body hair transplantation

“…Pretreatment with minoxidil and wet shaving of body hair 7 days and beard for two days before transplant helps in this regard. [ 20 21 ] Minoxidil causes lengthening of the hair follicle linear growth rate, increases the hair follicle diameter, and alters the hair cycle by shortening the telogen and prolonging the anagen phase. [ 22 ] Minoxidil pretreatment is from two to six months or longer.…”