The application of electrolysis of depigmented hair using a trichiasis electrolyzer combined with single hair follicle transplantation for the treatment of vitiligo-associated leukotrichia

Leukotrichia is one of the difficulties of vitiligo treatment. Hair follicle transplantation is an efficient method to treat vitiligo-associated leukotrichia. A trichiasis electrolyzer, commonly used for treating trichiasis, can be used to damage and remove the depigmented hair follicles. To evaluate the efficacy of the electrolysis of depigmented hair using a trichiasis electrolyzer combined with single hair follicle transplantation for the treatment of vitiligo-associated leukotrichia. A total of 15 patients with stable vitiligo-associated eyebrow and eyelash leukotrichia were enrolled from Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital between January 2020 and January 2021. All patients were treated using a trichiasis electrolyzer combined with single hair follicle transplantation. The patients were followed up at the first week, the first month, the third month, and the sixth month after surgery. The texture and growth state of the transplanted hair were observed, and the number of surviving transplanted follicles and regenerating depigmented follicles were recorded. The transplanted hair grew as expected with natural shape. No local infection or obvious scar was observed. Most of the depigmented hair in the lesion area re-pigmented and only a few depigmented hairs regenerated. The average survival rate of the transplanted hair follicles was 71.6%, and the average regeneration rate of the depigmented hair was 11.6%. The electrolysis of depigmented hair using a trichiasis electrolyzer combined with single hair follicle transplantation was an effective and safe method to treat vitiligo-associated leukotrichia.