A new advancement in hair restoration is offering fresh hope to those dealing with hair loss. Dr U Hair and Skin Clinic has announced a pioneering study, published in Dermatologic Surgery, which introduces a device that enables the transplantation of body and beard hair to balding areas of the scalp. The study highlights the UGraft Zeus®, a skin-responsive device designed to enhance the success of body hair transplantation (BHT).
The study, which took place across several countries, including the US, Colombia, Mexico, and India, evaluated the use of the UGraft Zeus® in a series of hair transplant procedures. The device is specifically designed for follicular unit extraction (FUE), a technique for harvesting hair follicles from donor sites for transplantation. What sets the UGraft Zeus® apart is its ability to adapt to different skin textures, hair types, and levels of curliness, making it a versatile tool in the field of hair restoration.
One of the key benefits of the UGraft Zeus® is its ability to reduce damage to hair follicles during the extraction process, a common issue in earlier methods. The device’s unique self-navigating design minimises the risk of graft damage, which can sometimes reach up to 30% in traditional procedures using body hair. However, in the study, the average graft attrition rate was below 7%, a significant improvement over previous technologies.
The study involved 82 participants, all of whom underwent BHT procedures using the UGraft Zeus®. The average age of the participants was 48.9 years, and the results were overwhelmingly positive. Over 79% of patients reported high satisfaction with the outcome six months after their procedure. Surgeons also reported a marked improvement in the ease of performing BHT, leading to greater willingness to undertake the procedure using this new technology.
Dr Sanusi Umar, lead author of the study and a specialist at the Division of Dermatology at Harbor-UCLA and Dr U Hair and Skin Clinic in Manhattan Beach, California, highlighted the importance of this new technology. “The introduction of skin-responsive techniques with the UGraft Zeus® addresses challenges in non-scalp hair transplantation,” Dr Umar said, adding that the device represents a “significant leap” in the field.
Body hair transplantation is increasingly recognised as a promising solution for individuals suffering from severe baldness, particularly those who have not seen success with traditional hair transplants. The technique can also be used to rectify issues from previous failed procedures. Additionally, body hair transplants can deliver more natural-looking results in areas such as the eyebrows, beard, and eyelashes by using hair that more closely matches the texture and appearance of these areas, compared to using scalp hair, which may be too thick or coarse.
As the technology continues to evolve, the UGraft Zeus® offers an effective and less invasive option for those seeking to restore lost hair, regardless of the extent of their hair loss.
