There are also workshops offered in various countries.. Also, many doctors have simply learned about how to perform an FUE surgery by reading medical journals or articles. Yet, there are no formal training programs for this method. For the most part, skills are gained through experience.

Currently, the most relevant forms of certification which are issued by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) include board certification in:

(1) dermatology

(2) plastic surgery

These are the specialties that legitimately deal with hair restoration surgery. Of the two, dermatology is the only field specializing in management of hair , nail and skin conditions.

Qualifications for performing Follicular Unit Extraction surgery : Basic Skills Needed For Follicular Unit Extraction Procedures

Physicians who perform hair restoration through FUE must have a clear vision for the patient’s final results. This is a central part of directing the specific steps needed for achieving the overall set of objectives.

Here is a general summary of core competencies needed for creating the best results possible through FUE hair transplantation.

(1) Graft selection

Doctors need to be able to identify viable grafts which will result in long term survival and growth. In androgenic alopecia (pattern baldness), hair follicles shrink due to having DHT sensitive protein receptors. While this is often indicated on the scalp as thinner hair, physicians need to develop an extremely refined ability to choose the right follicular units to extract. Using follicles that are in the process of miniaturization will lead to poor growth. Dr Umar has published a description of FUE SHave Test for determining permanent from impermanent donor areas of the head.

(2) Hand eye coordination

Each follicular unit needs to be removed individually by hand. The surgeon needs to be able to place the punch tip very precisely around each of these structures to avoid damage known as transection. Inaccurate positioning will lead to wasted grafts.

Therefore, superior hand eye coordination is essential for lower the rate of transection during the extraction phase. This is aided by using tools like the UGraft whose punch is designed to minimize graft damage during extraction

Hair restoration surgery (through FUE or strip) requires additional forms of expertise beyond graft extraction. This requires the following forms of proficiencies:

(1) general handling of the grafts to avoid dessication or injury through surgical instruments (e.g. pulling too hard, poking etc.)

(2) storing the follicles in the appropriate solution at cooler temperatures within appropriate time frames

(3) creating slits according to the correct angle, direction and orientation to reflect realistic growth patterns.

(4) the ability to design and implement hairline and temple contours that result in the best aesthetic outcome for the individual patient.

Selection and handling of the follicles are key elements needed for reliable hair growth yield.  The full manifestation becomes apparent at about 12 months following the procedure. However, not all patients experience the level of growth that they had expected.

Individuals who are in the process of choosing the right surgeon for their needs will need to place much importance available evidence of final results attained for actual patients. The mastery of book knowledge only really demonstrates a conceptual understanding of how to perform Follicular Unit Extraction. However, this does not guarantee the best outcomes possible. The best hair transplant doctors will be exceptionally skilled in both the technical and the artistic aspects of restoring hair.

Reason for poor growth after hair transplant