Core competencies for hair restoration surgeons recommended by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Because hair restoration surgery has changed so significantly, the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) recently developed and published a Core Curriculum for Hair Restoration Surgery (CCHRS). The ISHRS organized a task force to develop training programs that would not only present the CCHRS but also provide the practical experience necessary to allow a physician to practice safe, aesthetically sound hair restoration surgery. The task force recognized early on that identification of core competencies for hair restoration surgeons was essential to guiding the development of these training experiences. This article presents the competencies that have been identified. OBJECTIVE: The intent of the Core Competencies for Hair Restoration Surgery is to outline the knowledge and skills that are essential to accurately diagnose and treat hair loss, to ensure patient safety, and to optimize aesthetic results. The ISHRS hopes that all existing surgery and dermatology training programs teaching hair restoration surgery procedures will find the Core Competencies useful in developing their curriculums. METHODS: The Core Competencies were developed through an organized review of the CCHRS by a team of experienced hair restoration surgeons and educators and reviewed and approved by the ISHRS Board of Governors. RESULTS: The diversity of these competencies demonstrate that contemporary hair restoration surgery is a specialty requiring knowledge of several medical disciplines, including genetics, endocrinology, dermatology, tissue preservation, and surgery. CONCLUSION: The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery believes identification of these Core Competencies is an important contribution to physician education in hair restoration surgery, and physicians who demonstrate competency in these skills will satisfy patients with contemporary results in a safe environment.

The latest developments in surgical hair restoration.

Surgical hair restoration has evolved rapidly over the past 10 years. Patient outcome is paramount. Current developments in hair transplantation focus on using the most appropriate harvesting techniques to use this finite resource effectively and to relocate it quickly and efficiently to achieve the optimum effective aesthetic coverage. To date,follicular unit transplantation has afforded surgeons the greatest efficiency in hair trans-plantation. These units are unlikely to become smaller, so surgeons must look at what other means are available to improve the final result.