Use of 45-degree implanter angulation with bevel-to-skin orientation to enhance follicular entry
Keywords:
Implanters, 45 degrees, Density, FUE.Abstract
Background: Implanting the follicular units precisely is crucial for the ultimate result of follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplantation. The angle of implantation and the position of the implanter bevel are extremely important for reducing follicular trauma and obtaining natural hair direction.
Objective: This study aims to assess whether the use of implanters angled at 45 degrees with bevel-to-skin orientation can improve follicular entry and early clinical outcomes as compared to the traditional perpendicular implantation technique.
Materials and methods: In this randomized, split-scalp clinical trial, FUE hair transplantation patients had their scalp divided into two equal halves. Implantation on the test side was done with implanters angulated at 45 degrees with bevel-to-skin orientation while the control side was implanted with a conventional perpendicular method. Both operative parameters such as ease of follicular entry, graft resistance, follicular popping, and implantation time and early post-operative follicular integrity were evaluated.
Results: The 45-degree angulation method demonstrated superiority in the ease of follicular entry, less graft resistance and follicular popping, as well as a shorter implantation time compared to the conventional method. Early post-operative evaluation showed improved graft stability and more favorable hair angulation on the test side without any increase in complications.
Conclusion: Implanter angulation at 45 degrees with bevel-to-skin orientation successfully improves follicular entry and the overall efficiency of the operation in FUE hair transplantation and may improve early clinical outcomes.
References
1. Garg S, Pandya I, Bhatt S. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplantation in combination with platelet rich plasma for the treatment of scarring alopecia: a case series. Arch Clin Med Case Rep. 2019; 3(5):299-308.
2. Parsley WM, Perez-Meza D. Review of factors affecting the growth and survival of follicular grafts. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2010; 3(2):69-75.
3. Chouhan K, Roga G, Kumar A, Gupta J. Approach to Hair Transplantation in Advanced Grade Baldness by Follicular Unit Extraction: A Retrospective Analysis of 820 Cases. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2019; 12(4):215-222.
4. Moharana P, Bhaskaran R. Implanter technique in hair transplant surgery always a surgical challenge for the operating surgeon - A prospective randomized study assessment. Aesthet Med. 2024; 10(4):e2024024.
5. Bansal A, Sethi P, Kumar A, Sahoo AK, Das P. Use of implanters in premade recipient sites for hair transplantation. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2019; 12(4):250-254.
6. Gupta M, Bhaskaran R, Krishnan M. Enhancing density in hair transplant surgery: the role of tumescent injection in the recipient area in implanter technique – A randomized study. Aesthet Med. 2025; 11(4):17202.
7. Fan ZX, Liu F, Li KT, Hu ZQ, Miao Y. Effect of de-epithelialization on graft survival rate after follicular unit extraction. Dermatol Surg. 2021; 47(8):1083-1086.
8. Ruthvik S, John RS, George M, Kumar SP, Krishnan M. Comparison of efficacy of platelet-rich plasma with and without topical minoxidil for hair growth in patients with androgenetic alopecia: a prospective study. Cureus. 2024; 16(2):e53875.
9. Razmi TM, Subburaj K. Hair transplantation: a brief review. Clin Dermatol Rev. 2022; 6(2):80-87.
10. Park JH, Ho YH, Manonukul K. A practical guide to hair graft placement using the sharp implanter method. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023; 16:1777-1785.
11. Lee DY, Choi YL, Kim MG, et al. The combined use of needle with hair transplanter for hair recipient sites. Dermatol Surg. 2007; 33(1):128-129.
12. Park JH. A novel concept for determining the direction of implanted hair in hairline correction surgery in East Asian women. Arch Plast Surg. 2018; 45(03):292-294.
13. Speranzini M. Graft placement using the dull needle implanter (DNI) technique. In: Hair Transplant Forum International 2017; 27(2):45-56.
14. Zhao Y, Tang Q, Zhang J, et al. Premade incisions vs. stick and place: a multicenter retrospective comparison of hair transplantation outcomes in China. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2025; 49(13):3597-3604.
15. Gupta AK, Venkataraman M, Quinlan EM. Artificial hair implantation for hair restoration. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022; 33(3):1312-1318.
16. Nerkar GM, Waknis PP, Kharat AH, Yeole SB. An in vitro study comparing the survival of hair follicles in various storage media at different temperatures for hair transplant procedure. Int J Trichology. 2025; 17(2):121-127.
17. Wolf BR. The art and craft of recipient site creation and graft placement. In: Hair Transplant Forum International 2014; 24(2):41-49.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Srishti Agarwal, Rajprakash Bhaskaran, Murugesan Krishnan, Parthiban Saketheraman

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Transfer of Copyright and Permission to Reproduce Parts of Published Papers.
Authors retain the copyright for their published work. No formal permission will be required to reproduce parts (tables or illustrations) of published papers, provided the source is quoted appropriately and reproduction has no commercial intent. Reproductions with commercial intent will require written permission and payment of royalties.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
