Potential use of beards for single-follicle micrografts: convenient follicle-harvesting technique using an injection needle.

Abstract

The authors developed a convenient hair-harvesting procedure using a disposable 18-gauge injection needle, which is common in every clinical scene. The needle was used as a skin puncher to harvest single follicles. The harvested micrografts were transplanted without trimming any of the adjacent tissue around the follicle. Clinical applications for the reconstruction of eyebrows in cases of anhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia and facial scars are demonstrated. Each patient showed a favorable result, and there was no scar formation at the donor site. This procedure makes hair harvesting smooth, speedy, and less traumatic. Beards as well as occipital hairs can be used as donors for single-follicle micrografts with this method in male patients.