Laser Hair Transplanting 1997

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the author's experience with the Ultrapulse CO₂ laser and the Sharplan CO₂ laser. Histologically, the best settings for five- to six-hair slit graft sites produced with the Ultrapulse scanner are pattern 4, 300–325 mJ, and 40–60 W; the best settings for Sharplan-produced 0.8-mm round holes for two- to three-hair grafts are 0.1–0.15 seconds and 50–80 W. Cosmetic results have been superior in Ultrapulse-laser-slittreated areas in 285 of 357 cases; they were equal in 69 of the cases and inferior in 3. Clinical results with Sharplan laser round grafted areas have not yet been assessed by the author but have shown good hair yield in the hands of other investigators. A new photographic computer-assisted five-center study has begun that will compare hair yield in laser-prepared and conventionally prepared graft sites. In the author's opinion, new lasers will undoubtedly be developed to produce even less adjacent thermal damage and better results. “Laser hair transplanting” is not merely a marketing tool.