BEARD-A Potential Donor Site in Grade 6 and Grade 7 Alopecia: A Case Series.

[BACKGROUND] Autologous hair transplantation has been the convention in cases of androgenic alopecia. Routinely, the occipital area serves as an ideal donor site. The advent of follicular unit extraction (FUE) has made body and beard hair harvest a possibility. Beard hair, in particular, has been far more sought after than other parts of the body.

[MATERIALS AND METHODS] A case series of 20 patients have been documented wherein cases with Grade 6 and 7 androgenic alopecia have been treated with beard hair as an adjunct donor site. The local anatomy, procedural technicalities and method of harvesting have been emphasized. The pre, intra and postoperative records have been maintained.

[DISCUSSION] The advent of FUE paved way for minimal downtime, better cosmesis and less scarring facilitating the possibility of using non-scalp hair in hair restoration, thus increasing the overall donor graft availability. Beard hair has its characteristic differences when compared to the scalp hair. Alongside there exists an array of advantages and disadvantages.

[CONCLUSION] Minimal complications and potential advantages have encouraged the usage of beard graft in the recent past. In hindsight, beard to scalp transplantation is a worthwhile alternative in cases demanding an expanded source of donor hair which demands further literary contribution.