Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access

The visualization of hair follicles by means of ultrasound scanner and follicoscope (using 640 nm red visible with polarized light filter) to reduce damage for hair follicles during follicular unit extraction

19^th World Dermatology Congress

May 07-08, 2018 Tokyo, Japan

Woo Koung Lee

Root Hair Transplantation Center, Republic of Korea

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Exp Dermatol Res

Abstract :

Follicular unit extraction has many advantages which are minimal scar, quicker recovery time but definitely have disadvantages as well. One of them includes potential for high hair follicle transection rate. The disadvantage is mostly due to blind harvesting technique. Thus we had been looking for imaging methods which make visible technique possible. One of them is the ultrasound scanner which is 22 MHz in frequency and shows structures within the dermis. Through it we found out that there were angle differences between hair shaft out of the skin and hair follicle in the occipital scalp. The results were in 20.8-40.3 degree range and 12.8 degree of average. In addition there were significant differences in the average follicle angle depending on the area of occipital region. Therefore we employed its data in order to reduce transection rate for graft. But despite ultrasound’s great ability, we were not able to harvest the grafts simultaneously while seeing the hair follicle. So we were searching for something to be capable of resolving the problem and lights gave us good idea. We made the first attempt with the NIR (one kind of lights which is 700-2500 nm in wavelength). We were able to identify the hair follicles, but felt a need for further improvement. The most suitable amount of melanin to be observed in hair follicles was 640 nm red visible. We were able to identify hair follicles using 640 nm red visible light with PL filter. As a result, we can harvest the grafts while looking at the hair follicles through the monitor simultaneously. While harvesting the hair follicle, we always have potential for transection of it when just depends on blind technique. We have been making much effort to lower transection rate of the follicle and at last we found out follicoscope and ultrasound scanner. They consequently make visible technique possible.

Biography :

Woo Koung Lee is a Dermatologic Surgeon since 2010. He is an active Lecturer and a participant at many international conferences. He has performed hair transplantations by means of FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) or FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), for about 1,500 patients during last 7 years and most of them were satisfied with their results. Email:

lwkafro@hanmail.net