Dr. Sarah Wasserbauer and Dr. Alex Ginzburg introduce their panel on the Frontiers of Allogeneic Hair Transplant at the ISHRS 33rd World Congress in Berlin.
In this discussion with Program Chair Dr. Sam Lam, they dive into:
- HLA matching, immune privilege & the role of test grafts
- Donor techniques (FUE vs. strip) & long-term survival
- Legal/ethical considerations & informed consent
- A vision for tissue banking in allogeneic procedures
- Case pearls: sibling donor scenarios, scarring alopecia & planning next steps
Summary Notes for Panel Introduction
Intro discussion on the upcoming Panel on Frontiers of Allogeneic Hair Transplant at the ISHRS 33rd World Congress in Berlin.
Introduction:
Program Chair, Dr. Sam Lam welcomed Drs. Sarah Wasserbauer and Alex Ginzburg. The discussion was framed around a critical patient question: Can someone else donate hair? The panel aims to address the feasibility, challenges, and future potential of this long-debated idea.
Key Discussion Points:
[00:00:25] Introduction and Panel Overview
Dr. Wasserbauer shared the panel will be about an unheard of transplant: “hair transplant from somebody else.”
[00:00:35] Clinical Case Presentations
Dr. Wasserbauer described a case involving a brother and sister, where the brother had already been a bone marrow donor. This meant that histocompatibility testing (HLA) had been completed, facilitating the transplant. She highlighted the possibility of using tissue banks for wider application in the future.
Dr. Ginzburg recounted a patient with cicatricial alopecia who had virtually no usable donor hair. The patient suggested his brother as a donor, despite the common belief that such procedures were impossible. A small test graft was performed and grew successfully, leading to a full procedure of over 2,000 grafts. The patient’s transplanted hair has continued to survive for more than five years.
[00:06:00] Techniques: Strip & FUE
Both physicians explained their technical choices—Wasserbauer used both strip and FUE test grafts before proceeding, while Ginzburg exclusively performed FUE to meet the donor’s preference.
[00:06:44] Technical and Procedural Considerations
The conversation shifted to donor technique. Both panelists agreed that either FUE or strip could succeed, with the choice largely depending on donor preference. Test grafting was emphasized as a safeguard. Dr. Lam asked clarifying questions on protocols and highlighted the need for structured approaches when evaluating donor–recipient matches.
[00:06:55] Legal and Ethical Challenges
Dr. Ginzburg stressed the ethical risks of experimenting with live patients without clear legal guidance. Dr. Lam and Dr. Wasserbauer reinforced the need for rigorous consent and formal frameworks before more cases are attempted.
[00:07:56] Open Questions and Future Directions
The group discussed whether HLA compatibility is truly essential. Dr. Lam referenced older experimental cases, including spousal grafts, where hair grew without full compatibility. This led into the concept of “immune privilege” in hair follicles—suggesting hair might be less vulnerable to rejection than organs. All agreed that more systematic research is necessary to understand these mechanisms and to establish best practices.
Conclusion:
The discussion previews the Allogeneic Hair Transplant panel as a forward-looking session. Through rare clinical cases, procedural insights, and frank discussions of legal, ethical, and scientific uncertainties, the panel promises to challenge assumptions and inspire future innovation. Attendees can expect practical pearls, in-depth debate, and interactive opportunities to engage with leading experts. The panelists will also be available for informal “Coffee with the Experts!”
Don’t miss the Allogeneic Hair Transplant Panel on Thursday, October 23 at the ISHRS 33rd World Congress in Berlin.