In order to receive the best hair transplant possible, it is imperative that you carefully research and select a leading hair transplant doctor for your surgery. It is important to understand that the skills, experience and aesthetic results of hair transplant doctors can vary widely. As hair transplant results are something you will live with for the rest of your life, it’s important to make the right decisions from the very beginning.
Finding the right Hair Transplant Doctor
The simplest method is to locate a physician a long history of proven results and ethical behavior. Unfortunately, results take many years to publish because most patients are secretive about their hair restoration procedures. For this reason, one must consider other sources to confirm a physician’s experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. One can consider credentialing bodies such as the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and the International Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. Consider membership in the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, FUE Europe, IMCAS, the Asian Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Another organization to consider is the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons. Unfortunately, none of these organizations guarantee high quality results. Ultimately, you must still do your homework on any physician to ensure high quality results.
Dr. Cole was one of the first 30 diplomats of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS) and subsequently the International Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. Dr. Cole served on the Board of Directors of the ABHRS and the examination committee of the ABHRS. Dr. Cole organized three major medical meetings for the ISHRS and every FUE Europe meeting from 2017 until 2023. Dr. Cole served on the Board of Directors of the IMCAS World meeting for many years, and he rates abstracts for presentations for IMCAS. In 2025, Dr. Cole gave the keynote speech for the hair restoration section at IMCAS Americas in São Paulo, Brazil. Dr. Cole is recognized as one of the pioneers in follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction, which is often called follicular unit excision today. All of these accomplishments reflect his authoritativeness. However, Dr. Cole also demonstrates his expertise with one of the most impressive hair restoration result galleries.
Memberships in societies and board certification reflect knowledge and authoritativeness, but they do not reflect a highly skilled surgeon. Membership in the IAHRS similarly does not ensure a skilled surgeon, because this organization does not visit clinics or evaluate patients in person. Furthermore, one must pay to become a member of the IAHRS. Ultimately, it is up to the patient to evaluate the surgeon’s skills and expertise.
Narrowing Down Your Search
Try and get an idea of particular hair transplant doctors’ philosophies on hair transplantation. Some are quick to perform aggressive procedures with little regard for future hair loss; others take a more conservative approach. Make sure your selected hair transplant doctor’s approach is in line with your desired results and expectations.
As you narrow down your search, try to answer the following questions about the hair transplant doctor you are considering:
- From where, and in what year, did the physician obtain his/her medical degree?
- Where is the physician licensed to practice?
- Does the hair transplant doctor hold membership in any hair transplant-related societies or associations?
- Has he/she attended, or presented at, scientific conferences and workshops relating to hair restoration surgery?
- Has the physician published any peer-reviewed and/or scientific articles/studies?
- How long has the physician been performing hair restoration surgery?
- Does the physician practice hair transplant exclusively, or does he/she also perform other types of cosmetic surgery?
- How many procedures has the physician performed, and how many procedures using the technique you are considering having?
- How many hair transplants does the physician perform per week/month on average?
- Does the physician have a large number of high-quality results photos/videos/testimonies?
- Can the hair transplant doctor provide you with a list of former patients, that you can contact, as references?
- Is the physician the sole surgeon at his/her practice, or are there multiple physicians? Can the physician assure you that only he/she will be performing your surgery?
- Is the physician’s office staff helpful, informed and willing to answer any questions you have?
- Did the physician, or any office staff, make you feel pressured to make a decision before you are ready?
Two factors that you will likely consider in your hair transplant doctor search, but that should not be ultimate deciding factors in your decisions are:
- Location of the hair transplant doctor/clinic
- Physician/clinic cost per graft, or per procedure
Although these two factors sound like very important and obvious considerations, your choice of hair transplant doctor is one of the most significant decisions you will make when undergoing a procedure. You will live with the results of your hair transplant for the rest of your life, and it is imperative not to select an inexperienced or unskilled physician simply because they are inexpensive or their clinic is in close proximity. In order to assure that you receive the best hair transplant possible, take your time making the all-important decision of who your hair transplant doctor will be.
Concrete Verification Checklist
After 35 years performing hair transplants, I know exactly what separates good surgeons from dangerous ones. Use this checklist.
Medical Credentials (Non-Negotiable)
Active Medical License
Check your state medical board website. Search the doctor’s name. Look for:
- Current license status (active, not lapsed)
- Any disciplinary actions
- Malpractice claims or settlements
Medical Degree and Training
Where did they go to medical school? When did they graduate?
Residency matters. Internal medicine, dermatology, or surgery residencies provide better foundation than unrelated specialties.
Experience Verification
Years Performing Hair Transplants Exclusively
“Cosmetic surgeon” who does Botox, liposuction, and occasional hair transplants isn’t a hair transplant specialist.
I’ve done nothing but hair restoration since 1990. That’s 35 years, exclusively.
Procedure Volume
How many procedures per month? Ask directly
Low volume (2-3 per month) means limited experience. High volume (15-20+ per month) indicates active practice.
Technique Expertise
What specific techniques do they perform? FUE? FUT? Both?
If considering FUE, how many FUE procedures have they completed? When did they start performing FUE?
I pioneered modern FUE in 2003. Performed thousands since then. Developed CIT® (Cole Isolation Technique).
Red Flags to Watch For
Pressure Tactics
Rushed consultations (under 20 minutes). Same-day procedure scheduling. “Limited time” discounts. Aggressive sales pitches.
Walk away. Immediately.
Unrealistic Promises
“Full head of hair guaranteed.” “Completely natural, no one will know.” “Zero scarring, zero downtime.”
All procedures have limitations. Any doctor promising perfection is lying.
Price Too Good to Be True
FUE under $3 per graft raises questions. Where are they cutting costs? Untrained technicians? Rushed procedures? Poor quality control?
Cheap often means bad. Not always, but usually.
No Before/After Photos
Or only showing a few cherry-picked results. Legitimate surgeons have hundreds of documented cases.
I’ve performed over 15,000 procedures. Extensive photo documentation available.
Technicians Performing Surgery
Some clinics have technicians do graft extraction or placement. Illegal in most states. Dangerous everywhere.
Ask directly: “Will you personally perform every aspect of my procedure?”
If the answer is vague or evasive, find another surgeon.
Specific Questions to Ask During Consultation
I tell prospective patients: grill me. Ask hard questions. If I can’t answer, you shouldn’t let me operate.
About the Procedure
“How many grafts do I realistically need?”
Beware of inflated numbers. More grafts = higher bill. Conservative estimates indicate honesty.
“What’s my expected density after one procedure?”
Can’t achieve native density (70-100 follicular units per cm²) in one session. Anyone claiming otherwise is lying.
Will you show me your instrument under magnification?
Punch size matters in FUE. Smaller punches (0.8-0.9mm) cause less scarring. Larger punches are easier for inexperienced surgeons but more damaging.
About Results and Expectations
“What percentage of your patients need a second procedure?”
Honest answer: Many. Depends on the extent of loss and goals.
“How do you handle shock loss?”
Temporary shedding after transplant. Normal, but needs experienced management. What’s their protocol?
Can I see results from patients with similar hair characteristics?
Hair texture, color, and skin tone affect results. See outcomes matching your features.
About Complications
“What’s your infection rate?”
Should be under 1%, preferably near zero.
“How do you handle poor graft survival?”
Sometimes grafts don’t take. What’s their policy on touch-ups or communication when it happens?
Have you been sued for malpractice related to hair transplants?”
Legitimate question. Check the state medical board records to verify the answer.
Comparing Doctors: Objective Criteria
How do you actually compare surgeons? Use data, not marketing.
Outcome Metrics to Request
Graft Survival Rate
Industry standard: 90-95% survival. Some claim higher. Ask for documentation, not anecdotes.
My CIT® technique: 97%+ graft yield due to minimal trauma during extraction.
Before/After Photos with Specifications
Photos should include:
Patient Testimonials (Verified)
Google Reviews, RealSelf, and Facebook show verified patient experiences.
Check multiple platforms and, most importantly, ask to talk to real patients and referrals.
Published Research and Contributions
Has the surgeon published peer-reviewed research? Presented at conferences? Developed new techniques?
Not required, but indicates commitment to advancing the field.
That’s not bragging. It’s verifiable evidence of expertise.
Geographic Considerations (When They Matter)
You asked about location. Here’s when it matters and when it doesn’t.
When Location Doesn’t Matter
For straightforward FUE cases. Healthy donors. Predictable results. Travel to the best surgeon, even if across the country.
80% of my patients travel to Atlanta from elsewhere. Worth it for quality results you’ll live with forever.
When Local Matters
Repairs or complex cases requiring multiple sessions. Post-op complications need in-person evaluation. Convenient follow-ups are important.
Even then, many patients choose quality over convenience.
Cost vs Value Analysis
Cheap procedures cost more in the long run.
Average Legitimate Costs in the U.S.A (2025)
FUE: $5-12 per graft
Typical procedure: 1,500-3,000 grafts
Total: $7,500-36,000, depending on the extent
Below $5 per graft? Question everything.
What You’re Paying For
Surgeon’s time and expertise. Trained surgical team. Sterile facility. Quality instruments. Post-operative care. Emergency availability.
Hidden Costs of Cheap Procedures
Poor results requiring repair: $10,000-50,000+. Scarring requiring body hair transplant: Additional $15,000-30,000. Permanent damage: Priceless (in the bad way).
Repairs cost more than doing it right initially. I repair 40% of my patients‘ previous bad work from other clinics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a doctor’s actual experience and results?
Ask for patient references. Legitimate surgeons provide contacts. Call those patients. Ask about their experience, results, and any complications.
Check state medical board for license verification and any disciplinary actions. Search RealSelf and Google Reviews for unfiltered patient feedback.
Request to see at least 50-100 before/after photos with complete data (graft counts, timelines, patient characteristics). Few photos indicate limited experience or cherry-picking.
What if the cheapest option has good reviews?
Investigate thoroughly. Some budget clinics maintain quality through volume efficiency. Others cut corners dangerously.
Ask: Who performs the actual surgery? Physician or technicians? What’s their infection rate? How many procedures do they perform daily? (More than 2-3 per day raises quality concerns.)
Read negative reviews carefully. Patterns emerge. One bad review might be an outlier. Ten similar complaints indicate systemic problems.
Should I choose a doctor who invented their own technique?
Investigate thoroughly. Some budget clinics maintain quality through volume efficiency. Others cut corners dangerously.
Innovation indicates deep expertise. But “proprietary technique” sometimes just means clever marketing.
Ask what makes their technique different. Request published research supporting superiority claims. Check if other reputable surgeons use similar methods.
I developed CIT® in 2003. Widely adopted by other surgeons globally. Published research demonstrates advantages. That’s legitimate innovation.
“Dr. Smith’s Revolutionary Hair Miracle Method™” with zero independent validation? Skepticism warranted.
How important is the consultation experience?
Very. Reveals the surgeon’s communication style, honesty, and pressure tactics.
Good consultation: 30-60 minutes. Detailed scalp examination. Realistic outcome discussion. Answers all questions thoroughly. No pressure to decide immediately.
Bad consultation: 15 minutes. Generic advice. Inflated promises. Immediate scheduling pressure. Dodges questions about complications or limitations.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.
What if I can’t afford the best surgeon?
Wait and save. Seriously.
Bad hair transplant costs more to repair than doing it right initially. Plus years of looking worse than before starting.
Some surgeons offer financing. CareCredit and medical loans available. Saving $500/month for 12-18 months makes a quality procedure affordable. Don’t finance a cheap procedure. Don’t put a bad hair transplant on a credit card.
Dr. Cole’s Final Recommendations
I’ve trained hundreds of surgeons. Performed over 15,000 procedures. Repaired thousands of botched surgeries from other clinics.
Here’s what I tell every prospective patient:
