The role of lasers in the cosmetic surgery practice has expanded to include many new applications. During the recent explosion of interest in cosmetic laser surgery, many practitioners began to explore the use of laser technology to aid in hair transplantation. In actuality, hair transplantation was one of the fields that had long escaped the use of outside innovative technology. Active discussion in the literature has ensued regarding its pros and cons.13, 14 To warrant the use of a novel technique, such as laser for hair transplantation, the new technique must have an equal or superior outcome to conventional methods. Additionally, as is the case with lasers, the advantages should outweigh the added cost of this new technology. Laser hair transplantation has been associated with multiple advantages including control of bleeding, decreased surgical times, less traumatic graft handling, diminished graft compression, and a more natural appearance. These advantages, however, must be weighed against the disadvantages of this procedure, which include an increased expense, additional training, safety hazards, and a slight delay in hair growth (Table 1). Laser technology, when used properly by well-trained specialists, has a definite role in current cosmetic hair restoration. This article addresses the specific role and state-of-the-art of laser use in hair transplantation surgery. A directive is given to further the use of lasers in hair transplantation in a safe and clinically responsible manner. Hair transplantation is mainly performed on men. Approximately 200,000 individuals, most with male pattern baldness, undergo hair transplantation annually in the United States. Beginning in the late 1950s standard technique involved the use of large punch grafts harvested from the occipital and parietal regions. In more recent years, micrografting techniques involving small round grafts or slit grafts have become the standard of care. Instead of punchgraft harvesting, a strip graft is obtained, which in turn is dissected into round grafts or slits depending on the preference of the transplant surgeon. Recipient sites for the new grafts are created with trephines, fine blades, or hollow needles in the scalp areas selected to grow new healthy anagen hair. The micrografts usually consist of single, dual, or triple hair grafts, whereas minigrafts (to attain additional density) usually contain from four density to eight hairs. The use of larger grafts usually leads to the typical “doll's hair” or “corn-row” appearance, a feature deemed unattractive by most. Refined techniques yield the desired slit and round grafts by diligently and patiently dissecting the strip graft.  A standard EDITORIAL TRACKING SYSTEM is utilized for manuscript submission, review, editorial processing and tracking which can be securely accessed by the authors, reviewers and editors for monitoring and tracking the article processing. Manuscripts can be uploaded online at Editorial Tracking System (https://www.longdom.org/submissions/hair-therapy-transplantation.html) or forwarded to the Editorial Office at hairtherapy@emedscholar.com

Media Contact:               

Sandra Jones

Journal Manager             

Hair Therapy and Transplantation

Email: hairtherapy@emedscholar.com