THE PRESHAVING PROTOCOL IN BODY HAIR-TO-SCALP TRANSPLANT TO IDENTIFY HAIR IN ANAGEN PHASE

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.