Dear Physician members of our commuity,

Thank you for your willingness to regularly present photos on our forum community for review. Unlike the past where patients considering you for surgery heard very little about you online, patients can now decide for themselves based on the regular results you present. In addition, these photo albums will be added to your doctor profiles on the Hair Transplant Network, and Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center (for Coalition members only).

However, it's extremely important that when creating photo albums that you provide enough pictures and information for patients to properly evaluate the result.


Ideal Photos to Present

The ideal photo album should include the following photos.

1. Hairline Before
2. Hairline Immediately Postop
3. Hairline After
4. 45 Degree Tilt Before
5. 45 Degree Tilt Immediately Postop
6. 45 Degree Tilt After
7. Top of the Head Before
8. Top of the Head Postop
9. Top of the Head After
10. Crown Before (if applicable)
11. Crown Immediately Postop (if applicable)
12. Crown After(if applicable)
13. Donor Scar Postop
14. Donor Scar After

Clear closeups of the hairline in particular is extremely important. You may also want to consider adding profile before, immediately postoperative, and after photos as well.


Consistency in Photos is Vital

Each photo cannot be larger than 500K however, photos should be crystal clear and large enough that the patient can see an accurate representation of the result.

Each before, immediately postoperative, and after photos should be taken at consistent angles, lighting, and background. It is preferred that you do not use flash for any of your photos. If you insist on using flash, be consistent in your before/after photos. Before and after pictures should show hair at the same consistency (both dry or both wet) and similar style. If you show a before photo parting the hair to show an obviouis bald spot, be sure to do the same in an after picture. Combing hair over the bald spot in the after picture is deceptive (even if unintentional). Ultimately, please be consistent in your photographs.


Providing Adequate Surgical Details

Album subjects at the very least should include the doctor's name and the number of grafts.

Surgical details are also extremely important and should be added into the album introduction. Without the number of grafts and strategic plan including patient goals at the very least, patients will be guessing why you've taken the approach you did.


Allowing Forum Members to Comment

By default, a checkbox is selected that allows forum members to comment. However, recently, a few physicians have deselected this box not allowing members to offer their genuine feedback. Please leave this option selected so members can offer their constructive feedback. Allowing members to comment and interacting with them is to your benefit and the benefit of this community.


Impressive Photo Album Example

For an example of a recent impressive patient photo album, see "Dense Packing FUT performed by Dr. Feriduni - NW Class V - 4010 FU Grafts".

Though you are not required to add this much detail, the more information and photos you add, the more prospective patients will understand the work that you do which will help them as they consider your clinic for surgery.

Kudos to all clinics who have risen to the challenge and presented their photos publicly.

Best wishes,

Bill

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To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

Great topic, Thanks Bill,
It is extremely important to be consistent with the photo quality such as using flash and the angles. Also it is important to read the details of before and after pictures, such as the number of grafts, and surgeries and the time period after hair transplant.

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Parsa Mohebi, M.D.
U.S. Hair Restoration

I think it is very important to present with high quality photos. I am not a professional photographer and I donot have a small studio set up for taking pictures like some clinics already have. But eversince I started to be more active on the forum with presentations a few months ago, I have tried hard to improve my pictures. I have already bought a better camera and follow the directions as far as lighting and the angles with the pictures. However I must say that the pictures donot tell the story and most of my patients actually look alot better in person then the pictures. Any how I hope with time it improves.

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Dr. Meshkin is recommended on the Hair Transplant Network

personally, I'd vote for all photos taken close up under an incandescent light bulb or direct sunlight. the flash bulbs and blue screens make the hair look thicker because it casts shadows where as the light bulb /sun pierce right through down to the scalp revealing the hair's true appearance.

and any clinic of patient that applies product should be banned. who cares what your hair looks like w/ product!? might as well just wear a wig. but, I digress....

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My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Simmons