Evaluating the Satisfaction of Patients Undergoing Hair Transplantation Surgery Using the FACE-Q Scales.

[BACKGROUND] It is necessary to evaluate a successful cosmetic procedure from the patients' perspective. FACE-Q is a patient-reported outcome scale for patients undergoing cosmetic procedures. However, currently there are no FACE-Q scales used in the field of hair transplant surgery. This article aims to apply FACE-Q scales to evaluate the satisfaction of patients undergoing hair transplantation surgery.

[METHODS] FACE-Q scales were modified to contain both preoperative and 6-month postoperative self-assessment, including baseline preoperative information of patients (such as age, family history of alopecia, Hamilton' alopecia grade),preoperative self-assessment (satisfaction with appearance, the preoperative visual age, expected visual age) and postoperative self-assessment (satisfaction with appearance, postoperative visual age, satisfaction with decision, psychological well-being and social function). Besides, early life impact and recovery early symptoms were also re-evaluated.

[RESULTS] The mean difference between the 6-month satisfaction with appearance and baseline scores showed a significant increase of 29.62 (baseline, 46.97; 6-month, 76.59; P < 0.001) and patients perceived they appeared 5.81 years younger after surgery (P < 0.001). Postoperative satisfaction with appearance has no significant relevance with gender (P = 0.460), age (P = 0.529), marriage (P = 0.811) or family history of alopecia (P = 0.641). However, income (P = 0.003), educational level (P = 0.003), the purpose of hair transplantation (P = 0.018) and early life impact (P = 0.002) were shown to have a significant impact on satisfaction with appearance.

[CONCLUSIONS] The FACE-Q scales are a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome tool for patients undergoing hair transplantation and can be widely used to evaluate the satisfaction of patients undergoing such surgery.

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