Patient Selection, Candidacy, and Treatment Planning for Hair Restoration Surgery

The 2013 document highlights the critical aspects of patient selection, candidacy evaluation, and treatment planning in hair restoration surgery. It stresses the progressive and unpredictable nature of hair loss, particularly male-pattern baldness, necessitating a conservative approach and thorough preoperative evaluation to ensure realistic patient expectations and to identify suitable candidates. Ideal candidates are those with stable, high-quality donor hair and a recipient area conducive to hair growth. The document advocates for detailed, long-term treatment plans and conservative strategies, such as higher hairlines and lower density transplants, to maintain a natural appearance and accommodate potential future hair loss. The ultimate goals of hair restoration surgery are undetectability and a natural look, achieved through careful planning and realistic goal-setting with patients.