How to Choose the Right Hair Transplant Surgeon

If your search for a permanent solution to hair loss has led you to consider hair transplant surgery, you may feel overwhelmed by the choice of clinics and experts offering their services. But choosing the right surgeon is an important step in ensuring your safety and optimal results for your procedure. When looking for a surgeon for your hair transplant, think of these tips:

Many people in Canada and around the world can train to offer aesthetic hair transplants. However, the only certification recognized by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) for hair transplants is board certification by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). ABHRS-certified surgeons have undergone training in this discipline, have post-training experience in hair transplants, and have completed written and oral examinations on the scope of this specialty. The certification process is rigorous and choosing a surgeon who has taken all steps to be certified by the ABHRS can help you find a surgeon who will keep your safety as well as the aesthetics of the final result in mind.

While ABHRS certification is a good indication of a quality hair transplant surgeon, it is also important to learn more about your potential surgeon’s experience. Do they perform the surgery you are interested in? Were their patients satisfied with their care and happy with the results? What percentage of the physician’s practice is devoted to hair transplantation? Are any of the important surgical steps for the hair transplant delegated to a technician? The answers to many of these questions can be found on a doctor’s website. Many surgeons will also be able to show you a portfolio when you meet for a consultation. Reading reviews online can also help you factor in external experiences and decide whether a certain surgeon would be a good fit for you.

To best choose your hair transplant surgeon, you will want to meet with them in person to discuss your medical history, the cause of your hair loss, your restoration goals, and the treatment options available to you. The best surgeon for you should assess you in person, and perform all surgical procedures themselves, for they are the certified, medical professionals best able to tend to your hair and scalp needs. While certifications and experience are important, you should also feel comfortable with your surgeon’s manners and approach when discussing your care. A good surgeon will ensure that you leave their consultation with no questions unanswered and that you feel confident in the procedure.

In any medical procedure, aftercare is important for proper healing and a successful outcome. The right hair transplant surgeon will explain their post-surgery protocols, treatment, and follow-up care. They will follow your healing and assess the success of the transplant once you have healed and the transplanted follicles have taken route.

Once your search has led you to a certified hair transplant surgeon with whom you feel comfortable and in whom you have confidence, you will have found the right hair transplant surgeon. 

Dr Paul Cotterill is a certified hair transplant surgeon with over 30 years of experience in Toronto. He has served as president of the ISHRS and has been awarded the Golden Follicle Award for his outstanding and significant clinical contributions to the field of hair restoration. Dr Cotterill performs one transplant procedure a day and believes in spending time with his patients and in performing all surgical components of their care. Contact his office to learn more about hair transplants for male, female and transgender or schedule a consultation.