Synopsis: This editorial emphasizes that an accurate representation of a hair transplant technique is important, even if it is with respect to how it is named, so that the public may make informed decisions about the procedures they choose.
Synopsis: This editorial discusses the important observation of Gandelman that the drying of grafts during a hair transplant is a common denominator for other forms of injury, as it makes the grafts more subject to damage due to crushing and warming during the procedure.
Synopsis: The risks of using too much adrenaline in a hair transplant are discussed and a number of alternative methods of establishing hemostasis are offered including; body positioning, florescent lighting, ring-block anesthesia, tumescence, pre-making recipient sites, applying bi-manual traction, and creating a snug fit between the recipient site and graft.
Synopsis: When follicular unit transplantation was still in its infancy, there were many detractors in the hair transplant community. This paper defended the procedure and explained its superiority over other hair replacement techniques in producing the best short and long-term cosmetic results.
The innovations Dr. Bernstein has described through his medical publications are now a part of history. In the Millennium Paper of the journal Dermatologic Surgery, a comprehensive history of the field of dermatologic surgery cites Dr. Bernstein as being one of the three physicians who played a leading role in hair transplantation in the 1980′s and 1990′s.
“The diagnosis and treatment for men and women is very different,” said Dr. Robert M. Bernstein […] Women usually have a diffuse type of hair loss with thinning all over while men keep a permanent zone on the back and sides. […] “A medical evaluation is extremely important to rule out underlying medical conditions,” said Bernstein.
Follicular unit hair transplantation offers many advantages, but hair transplant surgeons continue to debate whether it is worth the effort.
A recent paper that clearly differentiates this hair transplant technique from the older technique of mini-micrografting cut to size is a step toward resolution of this controversy, while a new implanting device minimizes some of the time intensiveness of the hair transplant procedure may further popularize follicular unit transplantation, said Robert M. Bernstein, M.D.
“We felt it was necessary to clearly define follicular unit hair transplantation and mini-micrografting cut to size,” explained Dr. Bernstein, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York. “Follicular unit transplantation has many theoretical advantages… having standardized definitions of these hair transplantation techniques will allow us to make valid comparisons.”
Dr. Bernstein said the elements defining follicular unit hair transplantation include exclusive transplantation of hair in its naturally occurring individual follicular units…
Synopsis: This section, published in a textbook for professional estheticians, explains basic concepts of follicular unit hair transplantation in easy-to-understand terms.
Synopsis: This article uncovers an attempt by the proponents of slot grafting to rename this technique (which produces poor cosmetic results) and call it “follicular unit coupling,” so that unwary patients will think that it is actually a variation of follicular unit transplantation.
