Dr. PANINE
Chicago Hair Transplant Clinic
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
01
Question: How long does a hair transplant take?
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A: Anywhere between 6-10+ hours. It depends on the number of grafts a patient receives during surgery and each patient is different.
02
Question: What is the difference between a FUE surgery and a Micro-FUE surgery?
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A: A micro-FUE surgery simply utilizes a smaller punch and a smaller incision size for the grafts to be placed in. We only perform Micro FUE surgery at CHTC as we want our patients to have the best. Unlike some clinics, we do not upcharge for Micro FUE surgery.
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At CHTC we take the Micro FUE surgery to the next level. We utilize a special Micro Sapphire blade (shown below) which leaves a smaller incision in the recipient area. While in the donor area, we utilize a specialized blade that reduces the diameter of the extraction to just .7 - .85mm.
03
Question: Who performs the hair transplant surgery at CHTC?
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A: Dr. Panine performs every single surgery at CHTC. Unlike some clinics Dr. Panine harvests, creates incisions and also places grafts during surgery to ensure adherence to the highest quality standards.
04
Question: Does Dr. Panine really only perform one hair transplant surgery per day at CHTC?
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A: Yes. Dr. Panine personally performs every procedure, dedicating an entire day to each patient for a custom-built, not assembly-line, result.
05
Question: Is Dr. Panine board certified?
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A: Yes. Dr. Panine is a board certified dermatologist. He was performing hair transplant surgeries while in his dermatology residency at Wayne State University in 1993-1996. It was there that he learned hair transplant techniques. Dermatology residents at WSU learn hair transplants as Dr. Norman Orentreich, a dermatologist, first developed hair transplants to treat androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) in 1959.
The Wayne State University program was led by Dr. Ken Hashimoto, a legend in the field. He focused on bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application at Dr. Fosnaugh's hair transplant clinic in Southfield, MI.
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It is actually a widely held misconception that there is a board certification for hair transplant surgery. Hair transplant surgery is not recognized as a distinct specialty or subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the main umbrella organization for medical board certifications in the United States. Instead, surgeons performing hair transplants are often board-certified in related fields like dermatology or plastic surgery through ABMS member boards, with hair restoration as a subspecialized area of practice.
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The common ABHRS "board certification in hair transplant surgery" endorsed by the ISHRS is not a certification through the ABMS and instead serves as a way for anyone holding a medical license to demonstrate relevant training, post-training surgical experience (including case logs), having passed both a written and oral examination. Although admirable, the certification advertised by many hair transplant surgeons purchased from the ABHRS does not meet the high standards required of dermatology residents, who spend three years developing their surgical skills during a residency in dermatology and subsequent testing by the American Board of Dermatology that is required to become a board-certified dermatologist. Note a dermatology residency is one of the hardest residency programs to get into in the United States.
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06
Question: Is a hair transplant surgery painful?
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A: No. During the procedure, there is typically little or no pain. In fact, most patients remain awake and can talk, listen to music or watch movies and television.
07
Question: What is the cost of a hair transplant?
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A: The best way to understand what the cost of your procedure will be is to schedule a free consultation at our office or complete a virtual consultation where Dr. Panine can assess your hair loss and what treatment options are available to you. That said, a hair transplant procedure can cost anywhere from $10,000 – $20,000 depending on how many grafts you will need. Hair restoration procedures that are very complex and require significantly more grafts can be more expensive but that situation is not typical.
08
Question: Does Chicago Hair Transplant Clinic offer patient financing?
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A: Yes. We are pleased to offer patients payment options through CareCredit OR LendingClub, where patients have a 0% interest option for up to 12 months or can finance their procedure with zero down and a monthly payment starting at $105 per month.
09
Question: What makes Dr. Panine one of the best hair transplant surgeons in the United States?
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A: The bottom line is his experience and education just can't be matched by any other hair transplant surgeon in the United States.
Here's why -
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Dr. Panine has two medical degrees, one from Moscow State University and the other from Boston University School of Medicine, where he graduated Cum laude.
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Dr. Panine conducted hair physiology research at the BU/Tufts Department of Dermatology under the world-renowned Dr. Barbara A. Gilchrest, Chair of the Dermatology Department. He understands hair in a way that very few hair surgeons will ever be given the opportunity to learn.
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Dr. Panine has completed three residency programs (most doctors have one). He laid the foundation with surgical skills and then sealed the deal with the dermatology residency.
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Stanford University (Resident | Surgery)
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University of New Mexico (Resident | Surgery)
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Wayne State University (Resident | Dermatology)
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Dr. Panine learned from the surgeons pushing the limits of hair transplants in the early 1990's while in a residency at Wayne State University for dermatology. He learning advanced hair transplant techniques from Dr. Ken Hashimoto, who wrote the textbooks for most dermatological procedures, including hair transplants. Since then he has just kept innovating and leveling up the outcomes of hair transplants for his patients.
Dr. Panine gained hands on experience performing hair transplants under the supervision of a pioneer in hair transplant surgery techniques, Dr. Robert Fosnaugh at Dr. Fosnaugh's Clinic in Southfield, Michigan during his Wayne State University dermatology residency in 1993-1996. This foundational, hands-on technical knowledge put him ahead of his peers. Very few hair transplant surgeons practicing today have rubbed elbows with hair transplant royalty, Dr. Norman Orentreich, a dermatologist, who first developed hair transplants to treat androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) in 1959. Dr. Orentreich and Dr. Fosnaugh were close friends so Dr. Panine has gained the benefit of such close proximity to the origins of the hair transplant.
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Dr. Panine's comprehensive education, including surgical and dermatology residencies, along with his extensive research in hair science and hands-on training under the pioneers of hair transplant surgery, positioned him at a significantly advanced starting point compared to his peers. This foundation provided him with a profound understanding of hair physiology that many hair surgeons may never attain, even after decades in the field. With over 31 years of experience, during which he has performed more than 6,000 hair transplants, Dr. Panine continues to innovate, leveraging his deep knowledge of hair biology to advance the practice.
Dr. Panine's educational background and professional experience are unmatched in the field. Driven by a commitment to excellence, he has established himself as a leading hair surgeon, as evidenced by his expertise and his results.
He was and is a man on a mission. He sought to be the best hair surgeon and by all accounts he is. All you have to do is talk to him about hair and you'll see it for yourself. He offers free consultations so you're in luck.
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