Bio-Enhanced Wound Irrigation Solution

We are big believers in bio-enhanced hair restoration surgery. One reason why is the irrigation solution used during every surgery. Regardless of the method (e.g., FUE or FUT/strip method), a typical hair transplant surgery creates thousands of tiny wounds on the scalp. If the plan for the transplant procedure calls for 2,000 FUE hair follicle transplants, that means there will be 4,000 tiny wounds on the scalp; one from where the follicle originated in the donor area, and one where the follicle is placed in the recipient area.

These tiny wounds on the scalp, as well as the follicles being implanted, are irrigated very frequently during the course of the surgery. Frequent irrigation with a spray bottle helps to keep the wounds clean and provides for optimal visualization of the operative field, and keeps the follicles hydrated and healthy during the course of the transplant. Up to a half gallon (about 2 liters) of the irrigation solution is sprayed on to the sensitive tissue of the scalp and the hair follicles of each patient during surgery.

Unlike nearly all centers in the USA that use normal saline as the irrigation solution, we use Puracyn Plus irrigation solution manufactured by Innovacyn in California. This irrigation solution has numerous advantages over normal saline and is a part of our bio-enhanced hair transplant surgery protocol. More on the details of Puracyn Plus and its advantages over normal saline below.

The industry standard is to use normal saline for one reason: it’s cheap. Sad, but true. However, there are disadvantages to using normal saline as the irrigation solution during a hair transplant surgery. In fact, normal saline has cytotoxic effects on human tissue. We use Puracyn Plus as an irrigation solution during every hair transplant surgery because it offers several advantages over normal saline due to its advanced formulation and properties. Let’s review some of the specifics in detail

Osmolarity

Osmolarity refers to the concentration of particles, like salts and other substances, in a liquid. It helps control the balance of water inside and outside of cells. It is measured in units of “milliosmoles per liter” or “mOsm/L.”

If the osmolarity of the solution is just right, it helps maintain the right balance of water in the hair follicle cells. This balance is super important because if there’s too much water, the cells can swell and burst, and if there’s too little, they can shrink and die. Either way, the hair follicle won’t survive if the osmolarity isn’t carefully controlled.

Normal saline has an osmolarity of about 308 mOsm/L, while the natural scalp has a lower osmolarity of just 280-295 mOsm/L. This discrepancy nature can lead to cell dehydration and damage, which negatively affects the survival rates of transplanted follicles, and therefore the final cosmetic results. Puracyn Plus has an osmolarity that is typically isotonic or very close to that of human blood (280 to 295 mOsm/L).

pH Balance

Hair follicles thrive in environments that closely match the natural environment they enjoy in the scalp, where the pH is 7.35 to 7.45. Normal saline has a relatively acidic pH range of approximately 5.5 to 6.5. Puracyn Plus is pH balanced to match the physiological conditions of the human body and has a pH of 7.3. The acidic pH of normal saline impairs cell function, and impairs wound healing, all of which have a negative effect on the results of a hair transplant surgery. These issues are avoided by using Puracyn Plus.

Infection Control

Puracyn Plus contains hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a component that provides powerful antimicrobial action without being toxic to the cells of hair follicles and the scalp. It is effective in reducing the number of bacteria on the hair follicles and scalp during the procedure, thus decreasing the risk of infections compared to normal saline, which has no antimicrobial properties.

Wound Healing

Puracyn Plus promotes a favorable environment for wound healing. Its formulation supports the natural healing process by reducing inflammation and facilitating the migration of cells necessary for tissue regeneration. In contrast, normal saline simply offers basic wound cleaning and hydration without actively supporting the healing phases.

Toxicity

Unlike normal saline that can be toxic to human tissue, Puracyn Plus is non-toxic and does not cause damage to the healing tissues or the hair follicles. This makes it ideal for use during our hair transplant procedures, where the integrity and viability of each follicle is crucial.