Hair transplantation is a complex medical process that requires not only surgical precision, but also proper storage of hair follicles prior to re-implantation. The timing and storage conditions of the follicles are crucial to the success of the procedure, as they affect their survival and ability to grow after transplantation. In this article, we will explain how long can hair follicles be stored?
What are hair follicles and why is their storage important?
Hair follicles are structures located in the skin from which hair grows. They are very delicate and sensitive to temperature changes and lack of adequate blood supply. Once they are harvested during transplantation, they lose access to blood and oxygen, which means they must be stored properly to avoid damage.
If the follicles are damaged during storage, their ability to survive and grow after transplantation will be significantly reduced. Therefore, one of the key aspects of hair transplantation is to ensure optimal storage conditions for grafts (harvested follicle assemblies).
How long can hair follicles be stored?
The storage time for hair follicles before transplantation can vary depending on the conditions under which they are stored. Studies have shown that the optimal storage time is between 2 and 6 hours, but under the right conditions they can be kept alive for up to 24 hours. After this time, the risk of cell damage and death increases significantly.
The best results are achieved when transplantation takes place as soon as possible after collection. Doctors aim to transplant follicles within hours to minimize the risk of damage.
Factors affecting the survival of hair follicles
1. Storage temperature
Temperature is one of the most important factors affecting graft survival. The ideal storage temperature is between 2°C and 8°C. Cooling slows down cellular metabolism, which reduces the follicles’ need for oxygen and nutrients, thereby prolonging their lifespan.
If the temperature is too high, metabolic processes accelerate, leading to faster consumption of available energy resources and cell death. In contrast, too low a temperature, such as below 0°C, can cause structural damage and irreversible destruction of the follicles.
2. Type of storage solution
Hair follicles, after collection, are stored in special solutions designed to keep them hydrated and protect them from oxidative damage. Among the most commonly used are:
Ringer-Lactate – a commonly used hydration solution that promotes cell survival,
HypoThermosol – a specialized solution used for organ and tissue preservation that significantly extends storage time,
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) – can improve follicle survival by delivering growth factors.
3. Storage time
The shorter the follicles remain outside the skin, the greater the chance of their proper acceptance and growth after transplantation. After 6 hours, the survival rate begins to decline, and after 24 hours it declines sharply.
4. method of graft collection
How the follicles are harvested is important for their survival rate. The two most common methods of hair transplantation are:
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) – individual follicles are taken and kept in solution before implantation.
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) – strips of skin containing follicles are taken and then divided into individual units before transplantation.
In both cases, it is important to keep the time from collection to implantation as short as possible.
How can hair follicle survival be improved?
To increase the effectiveness of hair transplantation, specialists use various methods to improve follicle survival:
1. minimizing storage time – rapid transplantation increases the chances of success.
2. appropriate storage temperature – cooling in the range of 2-8°C is key.
3. Using optimal storage solutions – Ringer-Lactate, HypoThermosol and PRP help maintain graft health.
4. Gentle handling of grafts – avoiding mechanical damage to grafts is key to their survival.
Summary
Storage of hair follicles prior to transplantation is one of the most important factors affecting the success of the procedure. The optimal storage time is 2-6 hours, but under specialized conditions it can be extended to 24 hours. The storage temperature, the type of solution used and the way the grafts are handled are crucial. Thanks to modern techniques and proper storage, the effectiveness of hair transplants continues to increase, giving patients better and better results.
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