ISHRS Survey Shows Steady Growth in Hair Restoration

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) recently released the results of their latest member survey indicating the steady increase of patients seeking hair restoration, growing 13% overall from 2016 to 2019.

A total of, 681,964 patients sought surgical treatment in 2019, up 14% from 2016, and 1,401,589 patients received nonsurgical hair treatment, increasing 13% from 2016, according to the ISHRS press release.

ISHRS attributes the steady growth that has culminated in a 157% increase in hair restoration from 2008 to 2019 to scientific advances and the learning opportunities for continued education the society provides its member providers.

“This survey illustrates that patients entrust our members to guide them in their hair restoration journey, offering a range of proven cutting-edge therapies customized to each patient’s specific needs,” says Francisco Jimenez, M.D., FISHRS, president of the ISHRS.

At the same time, advancements in surgical techniques and technologies have also decreased the estimated number of procedures patients need to achieve desired results by 32% from 2016, equaling approximately 3.4 procedures.

Globally, Asia tops the list of procedures performed with 196,630, followed by the Middle East and Africa at 188,360. The United States and Canada performed 182,025 in 2019. Europe showed the largest growth in number of surgical procedures performed last year, with 106,949 procedures, an increase of 35% from 2016.

Overall, the hair market is up 10% since 2016, from $4.1 billion USD to $4.6 billion USD in 2019.

Along with the growing number of patients seeking hair restoration is an increase of fraudulent or illicit clinics performing procedures on unknowing consumers.

Society members note they are seeing more patients to repair previous hair transplants performed on the black market.

ISHRS has started a public awareness campaign called “Fight The FIGHT,” standing for “Fight the Fraudulent, Illicit and Global Hair Transplants,” to address the global issue of non-physicians performing illegal hair restoration surgery.

“The ISHRS is committed to educating consumers with the tools they need to find qualified hair restoration physicians and avoid falling victim to these unscrupulous clinics,” says Dr. Jimenez.

Notably, ISHRS physician members have an average of 16 years’ experience performing hair restoration treatments, and more than half (55%) devote the majority (76% to 100%) of their practices specifically to hair restoration surgery.