Since the beginning of the twentieth century, there have been attempts at creating artificial hair to treat baldness. Major evolution took place at the end of 1970's when, unfortunately, artificial hair treatments were applied without appropriate medical controls, resulting in sub-standard results from the use of unsuitable materials and technique. The large improper use of this technique in North America from no medical personnel and with dangerous fibres led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to suspend the procedure in 1983. In Europe, a new trial on artificial hair procedure started at the beginning of 1990's. In 1995 the European Union (UE) recognised the artificial hair implant as a legitimate medical treatment and outlined the rules related to that procedure. In 1996, biocompatible fibres (Biofibre®) produced by Medicap® Italy were approved by the UE Authorities and by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as medical devices for hair implant. An effective medical protocol was developed during the following years to provide correct guidelines for appropriate treatment, and to reduce possible related complications. Automatic Biofibre® hair implant represents the last achievement in this hair restoration technique with significant advantages for the patients.
Keywords: alopecia; biofibre; artificial hair implant; hair implant; hair surgery.