Patient Selection and Counseling in Hair Restoration Surgery

ISHRS 2025 CME Webinar

Patient Selection and Counseling in Hair Restoration Surgery 

Saturday, September 13, 2025
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM CDT
(Time Zone Conversion)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Registration Fees Per Webinar

Moderators

Moderator: Rana Irfan, MD, MBBS, FISHRS| Pakistan 
Co-Moderator: Luis Nader, MD, FISHRS | Mexico 

Program Description

This 2.5-hour live webinar, “Patient Selection and Counseling in Hair Restoration,” is intended for physicians performing hair transplantation surgery using strip (FUT) and/or follicular unit excision (FUE) techniques. The program highlights best practices in consultation, evaluation, and counseling to optimize both surgical and artistic results. Faculty will review the evolution of FUT and FUE, discuss key decision points in donor harvesting, and highlight strategies for lifelong donor management, scar minimization, and informed consent. Special populations—including women, young men, patients with diffuse un-patterned alopecia (DUPA), and repair cases—will be examined with a focus on candidacy, counseling, and psychosocial considerations, such as unrealistic expectations and body dysmorphic disorder, will also be addressed. Through didactic presentations, case studies, and panel discussions, participants will strengthen their ability to guide patients through safe, ethical, and effective treatment planning in hair restoration surgery. 

Professional Practice Gap

Many hair restoration physicians rely exclusively on FUE harvesting, potentially overlooking the continued role and advantages of FUT. Rapid advances in FUE technology have shifted focus away from the balanced use of both techniques, sometimes compromising long-term donor preservation and aesthetic outcomes. Additionally, some surgeons underutilize structured counseling, psychosocial screening, and comprehensive consent processes, which may compromise patient safety, satisfaction, and medico-legal protection. These gaps in balanced surgical training and patient communication may limit optimal outcomes and decrease trust in hair restoration as a specialty. 

Educational Need

To close these gaps, physicians need enhanced education on: 

1. Applying patient-centered counseling methods that address long-term donor management, scarring expectations, and psychosocial red flags. 
2. Comparing current technologies and evidence supporting FUT and FUE, including repair cases and special populations. 
3. Strengthening consultation, documentation, and consent practices to align with medico-legal standards and patient safety.

By meeting these needs, participants will expand their surgical skillset, improve decision-making, and enhance long-term outcomes in hair restoration surgery.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Differentiate candidacy considerations for women, young men, patients with DUPA, and patients with scarring or traction alopecia. 
2. Explain strategies for lifetime donor management, including how to communicate trade-offs, limits, and long-term planning to patients. 
3. Compare methods for minimizing donor scarring in both FUE and FUT harvests. 
4. Evaluate red flags in female and diffuse thinning patients and formulate appropriate counseling approaches. 
5. Assess repair patients, including those with depleted donor areas or prior scars, and recommend management strategies. 
6. Demonstrate approaches to counseling on diet and lifestyle modifications that influence hair health. 
7. Recognize psychosocial warning signs, including body dysmorphic disorder and unrealistic expectations, and determine when referral is warranted. 
8. Discuss how the evolution of FUT and FUE informs today’s counseling and consent practices. 
9. Formulate counseling strategies for young male patients with progressive androgenetic alopecia, including surgical, medical, or deferred treatment options. 
10. Apply consent practices that incorporate risk disclosure, documentation, and medico-legal essentials in hair transplantation. 

Target Audience and Prerequisites

This webinar is taught at the physician level. It is open to all levels and geared toward advanced hair restoration surgeons.

Assessment Methodology

• Live Q&A Sessions: Encourage interaction and clarify key concepts.
• Participant Feedback Form: Evaluate the relevance, quality, and applicability of the program.

References to Support Educational Need

1. Lam SM. Hair transplant preoperative 360. In: Lam SM. Hair Transplant 360, Volume 1, 2nd ed. New Delhi, India: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2015:45–66.
2. Ramsey MS. Strategies for business development of a hair-restoration practice. In: Lam S, ed. Hair Transplant 360, Volume 3. New Delhi, India: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2014:383–400.
3. Hoffenberg J. Perfecting the patient consultation. In: Lam S, ed. Hair Transplant 360, Volume 3. New Delhi, India: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2014:533–542.
4. Chaiet SR, Williams EF III. Leadership, teamwork, multiple profit centers, and other fundamental business concepts for a successful cosmetic practice. In: Lam S, ed. Hair Transplant 360, Volume 3. New Delhi, India: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2014:543–548.
5. Unger WP. Planning and organization. In: Unger WP, Shapiro R, Unger R, Unger M, eds. Hair Transplantation. 5th ed. New York: Informa Healthcare; 2011:106.
6. Olsen EA. Androgenetic Alopecia. In: Olsen EA, ed. Disorders of Hair Growth: Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1994:257–258.
7. Devroye J. An overview of the donor area: basic principles. In: Unger WP, Shapiro R, Unger R, Unger M, eds. Hair Transplantation. 5th ed. New York: Informa Healthcare; 2011:251.
8. Norwood OT. Patient selection, hair transplant design, and hairstyle. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1992;18(5):386–394.
9. Ruston A. Red flags in hair restoration surgery. In: Unger WP, Shapiro R, Unger R, Unger M, eds. Hair Transplantation. 5th ed. New York: Informa Healthcare; 2011:76.
10. Unger R. The young patient: planning and decision-making. In: Unger R, Shapiro R, eds. Hair Transplantation. 6th ed. New York: Thieme USA; 2023.
11. Bhatti HA, Basra MK, Patel GK. Hair restoration approaches for early-onset male androgenetic alopecia. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2013;12(3):223–231.
12. Unger W, Unger R, Wesley C. The surgical treatment of cicatricial alopecia. Dermatol Ther. 2008;21(4):295–311.
13. Dahdah MJ, Iorizzo M. The role of hair restoration surgery in primary cicatricial alopecia. Skin Appendage Disord. 2016;2(1–2):57–60.
14. Beehner ML. Management of advanced hair loss patterns. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2013;21(3):385–395.
15. Picavet V, Gabriels L, Jorissen M, Hellings PW. Screening tools for body dysmorphic disorder in a cosmetic dermatologic surgery practice. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(5):457–462.
16. Nair R, Maseeh A. Vitamin D: the “sunshine” vitamin. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2012;3(2):118–126.

CME Information

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credit Statement

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery designates this Other Activity (blended synchronous and enduring) for a maximum of 2.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

To receive CME credit and a CME certificate, participants must participate in the activity, complete the evaluation survey and the CME Claim Form by January 12, 2026.

Format

Internet/online, via computer or mobile device. 

Official Language

The official language of the webinar is English. Simultaneous interpretation is not provided for this webinar.

Disclosure Information

In accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the ISHRS must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity (planners/ speakers/authors/moderators) has disclosed all financial relationships with any commercial interest (termed by the ACCME as “ineligible companies”, defined below) held in the last 24 months (see below for definitions). Please note that first authors were required to collect and submit disclosure information on behalf all other authors/contributors, if applicable.

• Ineligible Company: The ACCME defines an “ineligible company” as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services used on or consumed by patients. Providers of clinical services directly to patients are NOT included in this definition.
• Financial Relationships: Relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected.  ACCME considers relationships of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationships of a spouse or partner.
• Conflict of Interest: Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of an ineligible company with which he/she has a financial relationship.

The ACCME also requires that ISHRS manage any reported conflict and eliminate the potential for bias during the educational activity.  Any conflicts noted below have been managed to our satisfaction. The disclosure information is intended to identify any commercial relationships and allow learners to form their own judgments. However, if you perceive a bias during the educational activity, please report it on the evaluation.

Disclosures of Relevant Financial Relationships of Planners, Faculty, and Others

All faculty will disclose any relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest prior to the presentation.

Planners

• Marco Barusco, MD, FISHRS – Planner 
• Victoria Ceh, MPA – Planner & Manager 
• Aditya K. Gupta, MD, PhD, FISHRS – Planner  
• Robert S. Haber, MD, FISHRS – Planner 
• Rana Irfan, MBBS, FISHRS – Planner & Moderator 
• Marissa LaDue, MPH – Planner & Manager 
• Hafiz Waqar Maqsood, MBBS – Planner  
• Maira Merlotto, MD, MsC – Planner 
• Luis A. Nader, MD, FISHRS– Planner & Moderator 
• Ratchathorn Panchaprateep, MD, PhD, FISHRS – Planner 
• Farhaad Riyaz, MD – Planner  
• Nicole E. Rogers, MD, FISHRS – Planner 
• Marie A. Schambach, MD, FISHRS | Guatemala – Planner & Faculty 
• Miriam Scheel, MD – Planner  
• Melanie Stancampiano – Planner & Manager 

Faculty

• Christopher D’Souza, MBBS, MSc, FISHRS | United Kingdom
• Karl J. Hekimian, MD | USA
• Rana M. Irfan, MBBS, FISHRS | Pakistan
• Luis A. Nader, MD, FISHRS | Mexico
• Arvind Poswal, MBBS, Professional Diploma in Dermatology | India

Commercial Support

None

Off-Label Or Other Non-FDA Approved, Investigational Use

None

Other CME Information

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Disclaimer

The webinar content has been made available by the ISHRS for educational purposes only. The content is not intended to represent the only, nor necessarily the best, method or procedure appropriate for the medical situations discussed, but rather is intended to present views, statements, and opinions that may be of interest to others. The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the ISHRS. The ISHRS assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with your use or misuse of the webinar content or any materials or techniques described in the content, and it makes no warranty or representation as to the validity or sufficiency of any information provided.

Questions: Learners may contact the ISHRS Headquarters with questions about this CME activity at phone +1-630-262-5399, or fax +1-630-262-1520, or email: gro.srhsiobfsctd-44b84e@ofni