The decision to undergo a hair transplant should not be taken likely. It can improve your appearance for a lifetime

– but it can also yield devastating results if something goes wrong.

Ugly hair plugs and unsightly scars can be the result of undertaking surgery that is not performed by highly skilled, accredited surgeons – the stories of men in need of reparative procedures are legion.

It is often possible to correct failed surgical procedures but being a victim of substandard work can inflict psychological, emotional and physical damage.

Now leading plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Epstein has listed the key questions EVERY patient should ask when considering hair transplants.

“The most important thing you can do if you are considering hair transplants is to become an educated consumer and make good choices upfront,” says Dr. Epstein, renowned hair restoration and plastic surgery expert and founder of the Foundation for Hair Restoration and Plastic Surgery.

“Take the time to learn about the procedure and find the right physician to perform it,” he adds. “This critical research will help ensure that you have a safe procedure with the best possible cosmetic result.”

The first step is to check your prospective physicians with the state medical board to see if any complaints have been filed against the physician or their practice.

“When choosing a surgeon, experience matters,” continues Dr. Epstein, “Making sure that you choose a practice that adheres to the highest technical and ethical standards and cares about attentive patient service are both important. So be thoughtful about your process.”

When at the consultation with your prospective surgeon, Ask these questions:

Credentials
- What is your board certification?
- What professional associations are you a member of?
- What continuing education do you participate in?

Procedures/Alternatives
- What procedure(s) do you recommend to help me achieve my goals?
- What kind of results should I expect?
- What does the procedure entail?
- What type of anesthesia is typically used?
- What is the typical recovery and healing like?
- What characteristics make up an ideal patient for this procedure?
- What are the risks I should consider?
- Are there alternative options you recommend – both surgical and non-surgical? What are the benefits/trade-offs of each?

Surgical Facility
- Where would the surgery be performed (in office facility, hospital)?
- Is the facility where I would have my procedure accredited? By whom?
- At which hospitals do you have staff privileges?

Experience/References
- How often have you performed this procedure?
- What kind of outcomes have you achieved?
- Can I see recent before-and-after photos?
- Can I speak to some of your patients who have similar characteristics and underwent this procedure?

Since 1994, Dr. Jeffrey Epstein, facial plastic surgeon and founder, has devoted his practice to surgical hair restoration.

Dr. Epstein is a member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons, the first and only organization comprised of fewer than 40 carefully screened, skilled and ethical hair transplant surgeons worldwide, and the Coalition of Hair Transplant Surgeons, with fewer than 25 selected members.

Recognized worldwide for their expertise on the treatment of hair loss and the full scope of aesthetic concerns, the Foundation is a full-service practice, offering hair restoration, facial and body plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery that use the latest and most cutting-edge proven therapies.

The Foundation’s surgeons are among the most respected in the industry and attract patients from across the United States and globally due to their unparalleled expertise.

The Foundation has offices in Florida, New York, Arizona, California and Maryland.

For more information, visit www.foundhair.com or www.plasticsurgeryoftheface.com.