Artificial hair fiber restoration in the treatment of scalp scars.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Data show that polyamide hair fiber restoration can be considered an adjunctive treatment for scalp scars in selected cases.
Santiago
Mariangela
M
Hospital for Face Defects, São Paulo, Brazil.
Pérez-Rangel
Roberto
R
D'Ugo
Angelo
A
Griselli
Giampiero
G
Igitian
Garigin
G
Martin
Ildefonso Garcia
IG
Nesheim
Geir B
GB
Eddin
Usama Saad
US
Smith
Geoff
G
Brady
Gerard W
GW
Chaker
Cherine
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009757:Nylons; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009757:Nylons