Needle to implanter: Cost-effective shortcut in hair transplant

Minimizing follicular unit ischemia time is crucial for successful hair transplantation. Conventional implanters such as the Choi pen may be costly and less accessible. An 18G or 20G needle was bent to accommodate a follicular unit graft, which was loaded into its lumen using jeweler’s forceps. The modified needle was then used to create the recipient-site slit and simultaneously implant the graft. This low-cost technique reduces graft handling and ischemia time, improves workflow efficiency, and lowers the risk of graft dislodgement. It is particularly useful for hairline reconstruction, small FUE sessions, and vitiligo surgery. The bent needle serves as a simple, economical alternative to conventional implanters, enabling simultaneous slit creation and graft placement while reducing procedural costs and graft out-of-body time.