Hair Restoration Credentials
( From The American Hair Loss Association)
While the credentials presented
by a hair transplant surgeon might seem impressive, it is important
to fully understand exactly what these credentials represent. Below
you will find a
list of possible credentials presented
in the field of surgical hair restoration followed by a detailed
explanation.
Certified: The American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery.
Diplomat, American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery.
Currently hair transplant surgery or surgical hair restoration
has no approved medical specialty board sanctioned by The American Board
of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is an organization
of 24 approved medical specialty boards of which The American Board of Hair
Restoration Surgery is not a part of. The intent of the certification of
physicians is to provide assurance to the public that those certified by
an ABMS Member Board have successfully completed an approved training program
and an evaluation process assessing their ability to provide quality patient
care in the specialty.
Currently there is no actual certification process for the field
of surgical hair restoration governed by the ABMS. If a physician claims
to be "Board Certified" in surgical hair restoration or "Certified" by
The American Board of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ABHRS), he is NOT actually
board certified in this field.
While The American Hair Loss Association recognizes that The American
Board of Hair Restoration Surgeons does administer a written exam to their
members, The AHLA's position on claiming board certification, when the ABHRS
is not yet recognized by the ABMS is that this type of "promotion" is
misleading to the public.
Education:
Hair
Transplantation Fellowship, XYZ Hair Restoration Group, Orlando Florida.
The education provided by most fellowship programs in this field
is minimal at best. It is important to note that most fellowship programs
in this field are used for promotional purposes for the group or practice
that is providing the "fellowship." Also know that most groups
who offer fellowship programs are not currently teaching state of the art
hair transplantation techniques.
The American Hair Loss Association recognizes that there are a
very small handful of surgeons who underwent fellowships with truly skilled
and ethical physicians and practices. However this is not commonplace in
this field.
Affiliations:
International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) is
a non-profit voluntary organization of over 700 hair transplant doctors.
The ISHRS provides continuing education to physicians specializing in hair
transplant surgery.
Membership in the ISHRS does not constitute competence in the field
and should not be looked at as a qualifying credential. Currently there
are no set standards for admittance into the ISHRS, therefore any doctor
performing hair transplantation can become an "active" member
of this strictly educational organization.
The American Hair Loss Association acknowledges the tremendous
value of the ISHRS in the field of hair transplantation, however, their
educational efforts should not be confused with any kind of credentialing
possess
American Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons
The American Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ASHRS) is another
educational organization created by physicians to further the field.
According to their own member application, it clearly states "membership
in the American Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ASHRS) does not qualify
a physician as being certified to practice hair restoration surgery and
that membership alone in said society is for educational purposes only.
World Hair Society
Unfortunately, there is very little known about The Word Hair Society.
This organization has not appeared to contribute much to the field, however
it is found as a credential on many physicians' Curriculum Vitae.
The American Hair Loss Council
The American Hair Loss Council is a non-profit organization founded
by non-surgical hair replacement business owners. The hair loss consumer
should not look to The AHLC as an educational resource. Membership or being
on the board constituents no professional qualifications in this field.
The information provided to the public by the American Hair Loss
Council is remarkably outdated and can be dangerous if followed in some
instances.
The American Hair Loss Association is NOT affiliated with The American
Hair Loss Council and recommends avoiding the Council when researching medical
treatment for hair loss.
The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS)
The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons is a consumer
organization that selectively screens skilled and ethical hair transplant
surgeons. The IAHRS does not offer an open membership policy to doctors
practicing hair transplantation, and is the only group that recognizes that
all surgeons are not equal in their skill and technique. Its elite membership
seeks to represent the best in the discipline, the true leaders in the field
of surgical hair restoration. The IAHRS' goal is to provide a safe place
for prospective patients to choose a surgeon based on skill and not on their
ability to buy public opinion through advertising.
The American Hair Loss Association recognizes IAHRS membership
as an elite credential in this field.
Credits
-Information Provided Courtesy of The American Hair Loss Association
Hair Transplant Adviser Blog
Provided by The International Alliance of
Hair Restoration Surgeons,
the Hair Transplant Adviser blog provides the opportunity for prospective
hair transplant patients to ask questions and find answers.
