How to Choose the Right Hair Transplant Surgeon

We speak a lot about how picking the right hair transplant clinic is important, but part of that is ensuring you’ve picked the right hair transplant surgeon. Choosing the right hair transplant surgeon is crucial to the success of your procedure. Hair transplant surgery is a highly specialised field and extensive training, skill and expertise are required.

The importance of choosing the right hair transplant surgeon

The most important thing to consider when getting a hair transplant is that you’ll have a natural-looking result and a well-trained surgeon is key to achieving this.

An inexperienced or poorly trained surgeon can cause significant harm to your hair and scalp, some common problems that can arise from choosing an inexperienced surgeon can include an unnatural or patchy hairline, visible scarring and infection. This can leave you not only with an unsatisfactory result but could also put your donor hair at risk leading to difficulty getting a second hair transplant in the future if needed.

What qualification to look for in a hair transplant surgeon

One of the most important factors to consider when trying to find a hair transplant surgeon is the qualifications they hold, this will ensure you’re working with someone qualified and experienced.

In the UK there are a number of professional boards and bodies your chosen surgeon and clinic should be part of, the most important ones to look for are;

GMC Registration: A hair transplant surgeon should be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). The GMC is the regulatory body that oversees the medical profession in the UK and ensures that doctors meet the necessary standards to practice medicine.

ISHRS Membership: Membership in the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) is a valuable qualification for hair transplant surgeons in the UK. The ISHRS is a professional organization that promotes the advancement of hair restoration surgery and provides education and training opportunities for hair transplant surgeons.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration: A hair transplant clinic in the UK should be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is an independent regulator that ensures that healthcare services in the UK meet the necessary standards of safety and quality. As well as checking your surgeon has the right qualifications you should also look into their experience and professional reputation.

What hair transplant technique do they use?

Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that involves moving hair follicles from a donor site to a bald or thinning area of the scalp. There are two primary methods of hair transplantation: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). While both methods can achieve natural-looking results, FUE is the chosen technique at the Harley Street Hair Clinic.

Follicular unit transplantation (FUT):
FUT, also known as the strip method, involves removing a strip of skin from the donor area of the scalp, typically the back or sides of the head, and then dissecting it into individual follicular units for transplantation. The donor area is then sutured closed, leaving a linear scar.

Advantages of FUT include:
• It is a well-established technique with a long track record of success
• Larger graft numbers can be achieved
• It can be more cost-effective than FUE

Disadvantages of FUT include:
• It requires the removal of a strip of skin, which can result in a visible scar
• The recovery time can be longer than FUE due to the need for sutures to close the donor area
• It can result in stretching of the scalp
• Results can look unnatural and obvious

Follicular unit extraction (FUE):
FUE is a newer technique that involves removing individual follicular units directly from the donor area using a small, punch-like instrument. The follicular units are then transplanted into the recipient area of the scalp.

Advantages of FUE include:
• It does not require the removal of a strip of skin, which means there is no linear scar
• The recovery time is typically shorter than FUT, with less discomfort and downtime
• The technology is more advanced and causes less discomfort and faster recovery
• Better results with healthier hair. The graft survival rate from FUE is higher than FUT

Disadvantages of FUE include:
• It can be more time-consuming than FUT, as each follicular unit must be extracted individually
• It may not be suitable for patients with extensive hair loss or those who require a large number of grafts

Overall, FUE is becoming increasingly popular due to its many advantages, including a quicker recovery time, less discomfort, and no visible scar. However, it is important to discuss your options with a qualified hair transplant surgeon to determine the best technique for your specific needs and goals.

Can you see reviews and before and after photos?

Hair transplant before-and-after photos and patient testimonials are an essential part of the decision-making process when choosing a hair transplant surgeon. These visual aids can provide a clear and accurate representation of a surgeon’s skill and expertise, as well as the potential results that can be achieved.

Before-and-after photos should show the full extent of the patient’s hair loss, as well as the results of the transplant procedure. It is important to look for consistent and natural-looking results, as well as a diverse range of patients with different hair types and levels of hair loss.

Patient testimonials can also provide valuable insight into a surgeon’s bedside manner, communication skills, and overall patient satisfaction. Look for testimonials that highlight the surgeon’s attention to detail, level of care, and ability to deliver natural-looking results. Ensure you look on multiple sources for reviews, Google My Business, Trustpilot, Facebook etc.

By reviewing before-and-after photos and patient testimonials, you can gain a better understanding of the quality of care you can expect from a particular hair transplant surgeon, and make a more informed decision when choosing a surgeon for your hair restoration need.

Good Communication and rapport

Good communication and rapport between the patient and surgeon are essential for a successful hair transplant procedure. The surgeon should take the time to listen to the patient’s concerns and goals, explain the procedure and the expected results, and answer any questions the patient may have.

A good surgeon will also take into consideration the patient’s age, hair type, and level of hair loss when developing a personalized treatment plan. During the consultation, the surgeon should also be honest and transparent about the risks and limitations of the procedure to manage the patient’s expectations. A good rapport between the patient and surgeon is also crucial, as it can help to build trust and confidence in the surgeon’s abilities. Patients should feel comfortable asking questions and discussing any concerns they may have with the surgeon throughout the entire process.

Facility and staff

The facility and staff play a vital role in the overall success of a hair transplant procedure.

Patients should choose a surgeon with a modern and clean facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. The staff should be experienced and qualified, with a focus on providing high-quality care and personalized attention to each patient. Patients should feel comfortable and at ease throughout the entire process, from the initial consultation to the post-operative care.

A good hair transplant clinic should also have a well-trained support team, including nurses and technicians, who assist the surgeon during the procedure. Patients should also be provided with clear and concise post-operative instructions and have access to a dedicated aftercare team to monitor their progress and address any concerns that may arise. By choosing a surgeon with a high-quality facility and staff, patients can feel confident in the level of care they will receive and the outcome of their hair transplant procedure

At the Harley Street Hair Clinic, our clinic was built from the ground up with the sole purpose of hair transplantation, and we have the best facilities and staff. From our reception staff, right the way through to our doctors we ensure we have the most experienced and welcoming team possible to ensure you receive the best possible care during your time at the clinic and that your results are the best you can get.

Experience is important to us as we know it’s the only way to ensure all of our clients get the best possible results and because of this we only allow experienced doctors to perform hair transplants. All of our staff are fully trained and have a full knowledge of all of our hair loss treatments and are always happy to help with any questions you might have.