Do steroid injections help or hinder donor scar healing?

[Carlos Wesley, MD]

As one of our field's important innovators, Dr. Cole is certainly not trying to stamp out important studies. However, the answer to this question may not necessarily be so black and white. Even with respect to this investigation on early-phase wound healing, trends could be detected when isolating each variable (closing tension, etc.). Using a combination of a fairly detailed measurement system (I've attached the image of our approach) and strong statistical analysis, we're hoping to pick up any difference (positive or negative) that this variable (corticosteroid injection on wound healing) may have.

Regarding PRP: I'm also glad that was mentioned because our office is also in the midst of investigating their effect on the recipient area. On Friday, we marched over 20+ PRP samples to Mt. Sinai Medical Center for an analysis of both their cellular and growth factor profiles. We're trying to couple the question, "What is PRP?" with the question, "How does it effect hair growth?". Based on our findings, we're planning to expand this analysis over the next few months.

Finally, as my patients are well aware, I'm certainly not one to promote the status quo in our field. Whether it be strip harvest, FUE, or something superior to both, we should be looking out for the harvesting method that has the least impact on the donor with the greatest benefit to the recipient area.

[John P. Cole, MD]

Excellent. I look forward to your results and cell studies.