Is an ABHRS certification a guarantee of skill?

Question

I am considering two surgeons, both ISHRS members and practicing HT for at least 15 years. Both showed me an impressive portfolio of previous patients. However, one is an ABHRS diplomate (way more expensive) while the other one (cheaper) is not. Is going for the non-ABHRS certified surgeon a gamble?

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Hello,Yes, the ABHRS certification indicates that the surgeon took the time and energy to sit for an 8 hour exam; 4 hours of written exam, and 4 hours of oral examination by other hair transplant doctors. It's not easy to pass. Doctors that say otherwise very likely did not do the work, and did not take the exam. It's a very serious deal, and it means "American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery", and it means your doctor cares enough about the specialty of hair restoration surgery to put in the effort to become board certified. It's not required to offer hair restoration surgery to the public, but it's not a bad way to differentiate the doctors doing this just for the money from the doctors who are actually serious about the specialty and the treatment of hair loss patients. No exam or set of letters after someone's name can guarantee skills, but it's a serious designation that is acquired by doctors in this specialty who are serious about hair restoration surgery. I hope this information is helpful to you.Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS, ABHRSBoard Certified Hair Restoration Surgeon

Greg Williams, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

The ABHRS or equivalent IBHRS (International Board of Hair Restoration Surgery) is not a guarantee of skill. However in order to pass the exam and be certified as a Diplomate the candidate does have to demonstrate depth of knowledge across a broad curriculum to do with hair restoration surgery. During the oral exam the emphasis is on passing doctors who will practice in a safe way. I know this because I am an examiner and sit on the written examination committee.However, actual competence, surgical skill and outcomes are not examined. A hair transplant surgeon with ABHRS certification is not necessarily better than one without. Having the ABHRS/IBHRS does mean the doctor has taken the time to study for, write, and pass the only globally recognised exam in hair restoration surgery so they have a certificate to prove this to their patients. With regards to cost, often more senior and experienced hair transplant surgeons charge more but sometimes this is about geographical location and overheads.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The best way to select a doctor is not ABHRS certification but rather meet his patients one-on-one so that you and speak to them and see the surgeons results for yourself. Meeting patients will give you the best insight yoyu can get

Is an ABHRS certification a guarantee of skill?

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Is an ABHRS certification a guarantee of skill?

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Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

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