Hair transplant procedures have evolved a long, long way since they began in the early 1950's. The "corn row" or "doll's" hair look that was associated with hair transplantation has evolved into today's "follicular unit" procedure that, when done right, is undetectable even by a hair stylist.

The Concept of the Hair Transplant is Born

During the past several decades superstition, old wives tales, and guess work has gradually been replaced by science.

The early 1800's is renowned in hair restoration circles as the age of the con men. There were hundreds of hair restoration treatments released and many lasted well into the late 1900's. These "cures" were marketed by "doctors", whose only skills were those of fast-talking and nerves of steel (as well as bravery, considering they were conning hardened cowboys and outlaws!).

The salesmen hawked their products from the safety of their side shows and "Wild West" spectaculars. They used endless tricks to get people to buy their products, such as rubbing grease into people's hair, to make it look thicker.

In 1939, a Japanese dermatologist, Dr. Okuda, published a revolutionary method in a Japanese medical journal that would lay the ground work for modern hair transplantation.

This method involved using hair transplant grafts to correct lost hair from various areas, including the scalp, eyebrow, and moustache areas. However, this study didn't make an impact in the Western Hemisphere due to the interruption of World War II.

Hair Restoration Comes of Age

In the late 50's one physician in particular, Dr. Norman Orentriech, began to experiment with the idea of relocating or transplanting the hair on the back and sides of the head to the balding areas.

Dr. Orentriech's experiments showed that when bald resistant hairs from the back and sides of the head were relocated they maintained their bald resistant genetic characteristic regardless of where they were transplanted.

This principle, known as "Donor Dominance", established that hair could be transplanted from the bald resistant donor areas to the balding areas and continue to grow for a life time. This laid the foundation for modern hair transplantation.

The Scientific Era of Hair Restoration

During the 60's and 70's hair transplants grew in popularity. However, the standard of care used larger grafts that were removed by round punches and often contained many hairs.

This now outdated hair transplant technique could achieve good results with a full look if a patient completed all planned sessions. However, a patient was typically limited in the manner they could style their hair.

Patients who stopped short of completing all planned sessions were left with hair transplants that looked obvious and unnatural. Such uncompleted hair transplant results are some times referred to as "Barbie doll hair" or "corn rows".

Many who have had these older techniques now refine or complete their bad hair transplants with today's very refined techniques to achieve a natural look that they can style in any manner.

Continue reading Hair Restoration Evolution - Hair Loss Solution

Why the Coalition?

With hair loss treatments often being marketed without regulation or accountability, hair loss sufferers need credible information about legitimate treatments and the ethical physicians who provide them.

The Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians is a carefully selected group of skilled and ethical physicians who are united in providing patients with outstanding education and results.

Physician Accountability

Membership in the Coalition requires members to maintain a high degree of patient satisfaction. Members care for their patients knowing that their patients are free to post their experiences on the popular Hair Restoration Discussion Forum. On this open forum patients are free to critique physicians and to hold them accountable for their actions. This forum is run and moderated by hair restoration patients.

In such a transparent environment our members are held publicly accountable for their actions and results. Members who fail to meet the high technical and ethical membership standards set by the Coalition are removed from the group.

However, we ask that patients first give their physician the opportunity to satisfy their concerns privately before posting any public criticisms on the discussion forum.

If the issue is not resolved to the patient’s satisfaction they are encouraged to contact the Coalition by email to service at hairtransplantnetwork dot com

Member clinics also agree to open their clinics up to inspection. Many of these inspections have been reported on the Hair Restoration Discussion Forum. View some of these clinic visits.

Membership Standards

The skill, technique and talent of hair restoration physicians vary widely, as do the end results. Only a minority of leading physicians provide truly state of the art hair restoration.

Coalition members are carefully reviewed and granted membership based strictly on their high level of integrity, skill, experience and ability to perform ultra refined follicular unit transplantation.

All Coalition members have made the investment in time and resources to perform a highly refined and difficult to perform state of the art procedure called “Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation”.

While many surgeons now perform standard follicular unit grafting, only a minority have risen to the challenge of using very tiny incisions and grafts to achieve ultra refined results. This ultra refined procedure, while very demanding on the physician and staff, produces excellent results for the patient with optimal density and rapid healing. It also allows the patient to achieve their goal for fullness and density with a minimal number of surgical sessions.

To learn more about Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation

Membership Criteria

A physician must meet the following requirements before being granted membership in the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians:

• A demonstrated capability to successfully perform large sessions of ultra refined follicular unit grafting using tiny incisions and grafts that are microscopically prepared.
• The ability to dense pack tiny follicular unit grafts in a given area when appropriate.
• Mastery and control of the orientation and direction of the transplanted grafts to achieve a completely natural appearance.
• Dedication to doing state of the art hair restoration exclusively or at least as the main specialty of the clinic.
• Excellent patient results demonstrating a high level of artistry and naturalness throughout, as well as excellent growth rates.
• An excellent reputation of the physician amongst colleagues and former patients.
• Several years experience in performing hair restoration surgery.
• Medical training, depth of background, board certifications, honors, credentials, lectures, and published articles and books.

Note - All members contribute dues to support our joint educational resources and services.

We are open to reviewing experienced surgeons for possible membership. Apply for membership as a physician.

Membership Selection Process

Physicians with a proven track record of providing excellent ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation and who meet the Coalition’s membership criteria will be considered for membership.

In addition to reviewing the applicant physician’s credentials, technique and results, input from patients and current members of the Coalition will be considered prior to membership being granted.