Hey Everyone,
Okay, so this title might be a TAD misleading. But below are three studies on the implantation of “bio-friendly” synthetic hairs into the scalp. This was outlawed in 1983 by the FDA. But check out the “failure” rate for synthetically implanted hair: depending on the study it’s either 1% (after 2 years) or 20% (after one year). But what’s striking is that in general about 90% of clients receive no adverse reactions – just some synthetic hair falling out, which could be replaced every 6 months or so. Compare this with breast implants, which have rupture rates (depending on the study) from 5-30% over several years.
Obviously there need to be more studies on this – but given that we have synthetic injections to remove wrinkles, enhance boobs, etc – why not pursue baldness more vigorously with synthetic fibers? Just because everyone freaked out in the early 1980s doesn’t mean there’s no legitimacy to this procedure. If you’re really interested, there’s a firm in Japan and one in Italy that do these kinds of implantations. Here’s the Italian firm’s website: www.biofibre.com
All the best,
BB
Here are the studies with summaries:
- Artificial Hair Fiber Restoration in the Treatment of Scalp Scars
MARIANGELA SANTIAGO, MD**Hospital for Face Defects, São Paulo, Brazil; , ROBERTO PÉREZ-RANGEL, MDDepartment of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital General, Ensenada, Mexico; , ANGELO D’UGO, MDCivil Hospital, Vasto (CH), Italy; , GIAMPIERO GRISELLI, MD§§Montebello Medical Center, Ferrara, Italy; , GARIGIN IGITIAN, MDClinic Nike-Med, Moscow, Russia; , ILDEFONSO GARCIA MARTIN, MD¶¶Clinic Infanta Mercedez, Madrid, Spain; , GEIR B. NESHEIM, MD
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is presently no treatment for scalp scars that is fully satisfactory. The modalities of treatment currently in use are surgery, hair transplantation, and micropigmentation. Scalp implantation with artificial hair fibers is used by some physicians as an adjunctive treatment.
OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the utility of artificial hair fibers to treat scalp scars.
METHODS Data were collected by the principal author from 10 hair restoration practitioners who tested polyamide hair fiber (Biofibre CE 0373/TGA by Medicap Ltd., Carpi (MO), Italy) implantation for scalp scars.
RESULTS Artificial hair fiber implantation occurred between June 1996 and December 2000, and observations continued until December 2004. Data from 54 scars from 44 patients treated showed: (1) no complications in 49 scars (90.7%); (2) mild adverse outcomes in 4 scars (7.4%)—temporary superficial inflammation-infection that subsided following topical cortisone and local/systemic antibiotic treatment; and (3) moderately adverse outcomes in 1 scar (1.9%)—significant inflammation and generalized infection requiring removal of artificial implant to alleviate. Occasional minor skin reactions, sebum plugs, and hyperseborrhea were successfully controlled and well accepted by patients. Fiber fall rate was 20% on average per annum.
CONCLUSION Data show that polyamide hair fiber restoration can be considered an adjunctive treatment for scalp scars in selected cases.
- Implantation of Biocompatible Fibers for the Temporary Correction of Scalp Scars and Androgenetic Alopecia
Aug 2003, Vol. 5, No. 2 : 175 -178
M. Morselli, MD, B. Palmieri, MD, M. Santiago, MD
A new era of implantation began in the European Union in 1996 with the official classification of artificial hair as medical devices. The present study documents the results of fiber implants for treatment of a variety of permanent alopecias performed with material and instruments manufactured by an Italian firm. Special attention was given to selecting patients, strict adherence to the implant protocol, and having patients attend the postimplantation followup. Results were excellent in more than 85% of patients treated, complications were mild and rare, and the average yearly failure rate of the fibers was less than 20%. Fiber hair restoration appears to be a suitable method for hair restoration for permanent types of alopecia. In some cases, as in total alopecia and in patients with lack of donor area, artificial hair implant is the only available means of hair replacement.
- Evaluation of polyamide synthetic hair. A long-term clinical study.Palmieri B, Griselli G, D’Ugo A, Palmieri G, Salti G.
Department of Surgery, University of Modena, Italy.
BACKGROUND: Different methods of hair restoration surgery exist: expanders, rotation flaps, autotransplantation and artificial hair implant. METHODS: The authors reviewed 196 patients who underwent hair implantation 2 years before with a highly biocompatible polyamide fiber. Indications, contraindications and complications of the procedure are outlined. RESULTS: Clinical subjective and photographic objective judgement, evaluation of Hamilton scale grading and covered area rate show very satisfactory improvements. Relevant adverse events were limited to 1.02%. CONCLUSIONS: A careful medical follow-up with regular scalp check-up minimizes complications to a very acceptable rate and overall results are definitely satisfying.
PMID: 11019605 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
