THE ROLE OF THE SURGEON VS TECHNICIAN

The proliferation of unlicensed "turnkey" clinics has caused a surge in botched hair transplants globally. The ISHRS black-market warning highlights clinics where technicians—not doctors—perform the surgery. Strict evaluation protocols must be followed.

Surgical Incisions

Under no circumstances should an unlicensed technician make surgical incisions. This includes both the extraction of follicles and the creation of recipient sites. Ask explicitly: "Who holds the punch tool? Who creates the recipient slits?"

The Technician's Proper Role

Technicians play a vital, highly skilled role in modern hair transplantation. Their proper duties include sorting and counting grafts under microscopes, loading implanter pens, and carefully placing grafts into the pre-made slits created by the physician.

Verifying Credentials

Cross-reference your surgeon's name on the local medical council registry (e.g., General Medical Council in the UK, state boards in the USA). Furthermore, check for diplomatic status with the ABHRS (American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery).

Consultation Validity

Avoid clinics where your initial consultation is conducted solely by a "sales coordinator" rather than the operating surgeon. A medical assessment of your donor zone, miniaturization mapping, and medication planning requires a physician.