title: Artificial hair fiber restoration in the treatment of scalp scars.
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data show that polyamide hair fiber restoration can be considered an adjunctive treatment for scalp scars in selected cases.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Face Defects, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez-Rangel
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Ugo
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Griselli
authors.forename: Garigin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Igitian
authors.forename: Ildefonso Garcia
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Geir B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Nesheim
authors.forename: Usama Saad
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Eddin
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Gerard W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Cherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaker
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D009757:Nylons