44.    Evaluation of hair transplantation into various recipient sites: lower leg, nape of the neck, palm hand dorsum, lower back and wrist. 
Sungjoo Tommy Hwang, Dr. Hwang's Hair Clinic, Seoul, Korea.

Background: In 1998, scalp hairs were transplanted to the lower leg. Three years later, some of the scalp hairs previously transplanted on the lower leg were re-transplanted to the nape of the neck near occipital scalp. And hair transplantation to the palm, hand dorsum, lower back was done in 2001. We reported different hair growth characteristics according to the recipient site. Objectve: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the transplanted hairs show different growth characteristics during long-term follow-up period. Methods: The survival rate, growth rate and hair diameter were measured at the 8 years post surgery.

Results & Conclusion:

1) The survival rate and growth rate of the transplanted hairs is influenced by the recipient site.
2) The cycles of the transplanted hairs may change according to the recipient area. rather than all fixed by the internal clock of hair follicles
3) The hair growth rate may change immediately after transplantation according to the recipient site and is maintained afterwards.
4) The volume of transplanted hair follicles may not change regardless of the recipient site.
5) Skin thickness and/or blood vascularity play a role in hair growth and survival.