Hellenicaesthetics
FUE Hair Restoration

Leukotrichia

Leukotrichia refers to the acquired whitening of hair, which can occur at any stage of life. This condition often has a psychological impact, as white or depigmented hairs are commonly associated with aging and may affect a person’s self-image and confidence.

For individuals with conditions such as vitiligo or those who experience scattered white hairs throughout their scalp, FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) offers an effective and minimally invasive solution. By selectively extracting and replacing the white hair follicles with pigmented ones from other areas of the scalp, the FUE technique can restore a more uniform hair color.

This targeted approach allows for natural-looking results without the need for dyes or repeated cosmetic treatments—providing a long-term solution to hair color inconsistencies.

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LEUKOTRICHIA

How to deal with this condition

Over time, several treatment methods have been explored for leukotrichia, but most have shown limited or temporary effectiveness. Common approaches include laser hair removal, radiofrequency treatments, and waxing.

However, these methods face significant limitations:

  • Laser hair removal is largely ineffective for white hairs, as they lack melanin — the pigment that the laser targets.
  • Radiofrequency and waxing, while capable of removing the hairs temporarily, do not offer lasting results and require repeated sessions.

In contrast, follicular extraction using the punch tool in the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplantation technique presents a more definitive solution. By selectively removing the white hair follicles from the scalp, this method can permanently eliminate depigmented hairs, resulting in a more uniform hair appearance.

This precise and minimally invasive procedure provides a long-term, effective alternative for individuals seeking to correct leukotrichia without reliance on temporary cosmetic methods.

Benefits
FUE HAIR EXTRACTION

Painless application under local anaesthesia

Immediately visible result

No scars or marks

STUDY

Patient satisfaction with FUE for leukotrichia

A clinical study involving Caucasian individuals who underwent FUE white hair follicle extraction demonstrated promising outcomes, with 87% of participants reporting overall satisfaction and 56% achieving noticeable results after a single session. This innovative approach was highlighted in a paper presented by Dr. Anastasios Vekris, Scientific Director of Advanced Hair Clinics, at the 22nd Annual ISHRS Scientific Conference held from October 8–11, 2014, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The study emphasized the effectiveness of FUE and the use of a punch tool in addressing leukotrichia, showing that the targeted removal of white hair follicles can significantly reduce the appearance of depigmented hairs. Importantly, the technique offers several advantages, including the absence of serious side effects or visible scarring, making it a safe and minimally invasive solution for patients seeking a permanent improvement in hair color uniformity.

Scientific Director of Advanced Hair Clinics

Dr. Anastasios Vekris, Plastic Surgeon

In any case, it is important for someone who suffers from leukotrichia to choose an experienced plastic surgeon who is familiar with the FUE method, who will answer honestly to their expectations and will help to avoid side effects such as scarring.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Application of White Hair Removal with Punch

White hair removal using the FUE (Follicular Unit Excision) technique is a minimally invasive method that utilizes the extraction of individual hair follicles with a precision tool known as a punch—a device similar in size and shape to a pen. This technique has long been used in FUE transplants for the scalp, beard, and eyebrows, and its successful application in those areas has laid the groundwork for its use in removing unwanted white hairs from both the face and body. The punch tool allows for the accurate removal of hair follicles at the root, providing a permanent solution for white hair, which cannot be effectively treated with laser due to the absence of melanin.

Scientific Evidence Supporting FUE in White Hair Removal

Before introducing this technique in clinical practice at Advanced Hair Clinics, Dr. Anastasios Vekris, the clinic’s Medical Director, conducted a clinical study involving 32 patients (24 women and 8 men), with an average age of 51 years and skin phototypes I–IV. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness and permanency of white hair removal using the FUE method, specifically examining whether the hairs would regrow three months post-treatment.

The treatment areas included the face (15 patients), beard (9 patients), neck (5 patients), and bikini area (3 patients). The punch tools used varied in diameter from 0.75 mm to 0.9 mm, with smaller punches applied to more delicate areas like the face, and larger ones used for body hair. During the procedure, each visible white hair was removed from the root using the punch device. Follow-up evaluations were conducted after 1 week and 3 months, using digital photography to assess the treatment’s effectiveness. The results demonstrated a high success rate, confirming the FUE method as an effective and permanent solution for white hair removal, without the side effects or limitations associated with traditional hair removal methods.

Results of the White Hair Removal Study at Advanced Hair Clinics

In the clinical study conducted at Advanced Hair Clinics, 32 individuals underwent white hair removal using the FUE technique. Of these, 18 participants (56%) achieved permanent results after just one session, with no regrowth of white hairs observed during the three-month follow-up period.

The procedure was well-tolerated and safe, with no serious complications reported. Minor side effects included slight bleeding in 5 participants (15.6%) and localized bruising in 4 participants (12.5%). Importantly, no infections, scarring, discoloration, or other permanent adverse effects were observed in any of the patients.

Patient satisfaction was notably high, with 28 out of 32 participants (88%) expressing satisfaction with the outcome. While a single session was sufficient for many, nearly half of the participants required more than one session to achieve complete and permanent removal of white hairs. These findings highlight the safety, efficacy, and patient acceptance of the FUE punch technique as a reliable solution for the targeted removal of white hairs—particularly in cases where other hair removal methods have proven ineffective.

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