Comparative study between follicular unit transplantation with intact and non-intact hair bulb in treatment for stable vitiligo

J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 Mar;33(2):818-821. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1782320. Epub 2020 Aug 26.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the cosmetic efficacy of the transplantation of follicles with intact and non-intact hair bulbs in the treatment for vitiligo.

Methods: The single-hair follicle units with intact hair bulbs and un-intact hair bulbs were transplanted into the skin of vitiligo. The diameters of regrowing hair shafts and repigmentation of implanted follicles were detected analyzed by dermatoscopy (Beining BN-PFMF Skin and Hair Visualizer).

Results: The survival rates of follicles with intact and non-intact hair bulbs were 60.00% and 50.62%, respectively. The average diameters of hair shafts and repigmentation of the two groups were 92.83 ± 7.26 µm vs 55.86 ± 2.64 µm (p < .05), 2.62 ± 0.13 mm vs 2.63 ± 0.17 mm (p > .05), respectively.

Conclusion: Single follicle transplantation was an alternative effective choice for the treatment of vitiligo. The skin implanted with follicle with non-intact hair bulb was less hairy.

Keywords: Follicle; hair transplantation; vitiligo.

MeSH terms

  • Hair
  • Hair Follicle / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Skin Pigmentation
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitiligo* / surgery