{"id":21589,"date":"2026-10-23T16:31:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T13:31:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/?p=21589"},"modified":"2026-10-23T16:32:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T13:32:27","slug":"advanced-hair-clinics-ishrs-rio-2026-dr-vekris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/advanced-hair-clinics-ishrs-rio-2026-dr-vekris","title":{"rendered":"Advanced Hair Clinics at the 34th ISHRS World Congress in Rio: Dr. Anastasios Vekris as Speaker and Instructor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n \n \n \n \n
\n

Advanced Hair Clinics took part in the 34th World Congress of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 15 to 17 October 2026, represented by Dr. Anastasios Vekris and Dr. Antonia Andriopoulou.<\/p>\n

Dr. Anastasios Vekris<\/a>, Plastic Surgeon, Founder and Scientific Director of Advanced Hair Clinics and President of the FUE Europe Society of Hair Restoration, played an active role in the pre-congress educational programme on 14 October. He delivered a presentation on the individualised assessment of the number of follicular grafts needed and surgical planning for hair transplantation, and also served as an instructor in a hands-on workshop on different implantation instruments.<\/p>\n

He was accompanied by Dr. Antonia Andriopoulou, Deputy Scientific Director of Advanced Hair Clinics, who has extensive experience in FUE hair transplantation and a scientific interest in implantation techniques. Having participated in international scientific meetings and presentations on the use of implanters, she attended the Rio congress to follow developments in surgical approaches and exchange clinical experience with specialists from around the world.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

\n The 34th ISHRS World Congress and Advances in Hair Transplantation <\/h2>\n \n

The annual ISHRS World Congress is one of the major international scientific meetings devoted to surgical hair restoration. This year’s congress took place at the Windsor Convention Center & Hotels in Rio’s Barra da Tijuca district. Under the theme \u201cWhere Integrity Meets Excellence\u201d, it highlighted the relationship between scientific knowledge, surgical precision and responsible patient care.<\/p>\n

The programme included scientific lectures, focused sessions, discussions of complex clinical cases and practical training workshops. Key subjects included FUE<\/a> and FUT techniques, hair-transplant planning, complication management, medical and regenerative treatments, and the evaluation of new technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of hair loss.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \"Dr.\n <\/figure>\n \n \n \n

A particular highlight was the ISHRS Basics Course on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. Combining theoretical teaching with hands-on practice, it was designed for doctors seeking foundational training in hair restoration surgery. Both of Dr. Vekris’s contributions took place within this course.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n \n
\n \n

\n \u201cHow Many Grafts Does a Patient Need?\u201d \u2013 How Many Grafts Are Really Needed for a Hair Transplant? <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n
\n

In his presentation, \u201cHow Many Grafts Does a Patient Need? Surgical Planning\u201d, Dr. Vekris addressed preoperative planning in hair transplantation. The subject relates to one of the questions patients ask most often: how many follicular grafts are needed to cover an area of thinning hair and achieve a natural-looking result?<\/p>\n

To answer this question, it helps to understand what a graft actually is. A graft is a follicular unit that may contain one, two, three or more hairs. Consequently, 2,000 grafts do not necessarily mean 2,000 hairs, and the same number of grafts does not provide identical visual coverage for every patient.<\/p>\n

The number required depends on several factors, including the extent of thinning, natural hair density, hair thickness and colour, and the contrast between hair and skin. The patient’s age, degree of alopecia and possible progression of hair loss in the years ahead are also important.<\/p>\n

A patient with limited recession at the temples has different needs from someone with extensive thinning across the frontal area, mid-scalp and crown. Even when two patients have similar patterns of hair loss, the number of grafts that can be used safely may differ considerably.<\/p>\n

Appropriate surgical planning therefore does not revolve around choosing an impressive graft count. It begins with a careful assessment of each person’s actual needs and available resources. The aim is to make effective use of the grafts, distribute the hair naturally and preserve options for any future restoration that may be needed.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n \n
\n \n

\n The Donor Area: Why Available Grafts Must Be Protected <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n
\n

The donor area plays a decisive role in hair transplantation. This is the part of the scalp, usually at the back and sides of the head, from which follicular units are harvested for transplantation.<\/p>\n

Only a limited number of follicular units can be removed from this area without significantly altering its natural density. Being able to extract a large number of grafts does not necessarily mean that doing so is the most suitable approach for a particular patient.<\/p>\n

Excessive harvesting can cause visible thinning in the donor area and restrict the possibilities for another procedure in the future. Similarly, designing an unusually low frontal hairline may increase the area requiring coverage and therefore the number of grafts needed.<\/p>\n

The long-term progression of androgenetic alopecia is another essential consideration. Although transplanted follicles are generally selected from areas that are more resistant to hair loss, the surrounding non-transplanted hair may continue to thin over time. A surgeon must therefore plan not only for the patient’s current appearance but also for possible future changes.<\/p>\n

Preserving an adequate supply of donor grafts is a key part of responsible treatment planning, particularly for younger patients or those whose hair loss has not yet stabilised.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

\n Hairline, Mid-Scalp and Crown: Why Each Area Needs a Different Approach <\/h2>\n \n

The total number of grafts is not the only factor determining the aesthetic outcome of a hair transplant. Their distribution across the different areas of the scalp is equally important, because each region has distinct characteristics and requirements.<\/p>\n

At the frontal hairline, particular care is taken to create a natural outline suited to the patient’s facial features and age. Single-hair follicular units are generally used at the leading edge so that the hairline does not appear too heavy or unnaturally straight.<\/p>\n

Immediately behind the frontal hairline lies the transition zone, where density increases gradually through the appropriate placement of single- and double-hair follicular units. A carefully designed transition helps hair look natural, especially at close range.<\/p>\n

In the mid-scalp, grafts containing more hairs may be used, depending on the patient’s needs, to create greater visual density. Their distribution is important because this area makes a substantial contribution to the overall impression of scalp coverage.<\/p>\n

The crown, or vertex, has different requirements: here the hair grows in a characteristic circular pattern. Restoration in this area calls for specific planning because the surface may be extensive and achieving satisfactory visual coverage can require a significant number of grafts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \"Dr.\n <\/figure>\n \n \n \n

In advanced alopecia, covering every area in one operation is not always the best option. Depending on donor availability and the patient’s needs, the hairline and mid-scalp may be restored first, with the crown addressed in a later session. Alternatively, a larger area may initially be covered at a lower density and enhanced subsequently, provided the donor area allows it.<\/p>\n

The most appropriate strategy is decided through an individual medical assessment and a discussion of realistic expectations with the patient. No single graft-distribution pattern is suitable for everyone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n \n
\n \n

\n \u201cDifferent Types of Implanters\u201d \u2013 Dr. Vekris Trains Fellow Surgeons <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n
\n

Dr. Anastasios Vekris’s second contribution to the ISHRS Basics Course was the hands-on workshop \u201cDifferent Types of Implanters\u201d, in which he served as a table leader alongside Brazilian physician Dr. Elson Marques Viana Jr.<\/p>\n

The workshop focused on specialised surgical instruments used to insert follicular grafts into areas affected by thinning or hair loss. This is a particularly important stage of surgery, because the way grafts are placed influences both the protection of the follicles and the natural appearance of the result.<\/p>\n

During implantation, the surgeon must position each graft at the appropriate location, depth and angle, taking account of the natural direction in which hair grows in that area. The process requires careful handling and appropriate instruments, as the needs can vary with skin characteristics, graft size and the region being treated.<\/p>\n

The practical workshop gave participating doctors an opportunity to become familiar with different implantation instruments and the requirements for using them. This is an essential part of surgical training, helping doctors understand how the techniques are applied in practice.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

\n Sharp and Dull Implanters: What Is the Difference? <\/h2>\n \n

Implanters are specialised surgical devices resembling slender pens. They allow follicular grafts to be placed into the skin in a controlled manner.<\/p>\n

Two principal types are sharp and dull implanters. Although both are used to place grafts, they differ mainly in how implantation is carried out.<\/p>\n

Sharp implanters<\/strong> have a pointed tip that enables the surgeon to make a tiny opening in the skin and insert the follicular graft at the same time. The opening and implantation therefore take place in a single step, without the need to prepare separate small incisions beforehand.<\/p>\n

Dull implanters<\/strong>, by contrast, have a non-sharp tip and are used where the surgeon has already made the tiny openings into which the grafts will be placed. Preparing the recipient sites and implanting the grafts are consequently two distinct stages.<\/p>\n

The main difference is whether the opening in the skin and placement of the graft occur together or separately. Neither approach is automatically the best choice for every case. The decision depends on the follicular units, the condition of the skin, the surgical plan and the team’s experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \"Dr.\n <\/figure>\n \n \n \n

Correct preparation of the instruments is also important. The diameter and length of the needle must suit the grafts so they can be positioned at the intended depth, neither too close to the surface nor too deep. The implantation angle also helps the new hairs follow the natural direction of growth.<\/p>\n

Careful use of implanters and effective teamwork are intended to minimise unnecessary handling and protect delicate follicular grafts throughout the procedure. The surgeon’s training and experience remain crucial to the safe application of these techniques.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n \n
\n \n

\n Special Applications: Restoration of Scars, Eyebrows and Beard Hair <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n
\n

Precise graft placement becomes even more important in procedures that demand particularly detailed planning, such as scar restoration, eyebrow transplantation<\/a> and the restoration of beard growth.<\/p>\n

Scar tissue may differ from normal scalp skin in elasticity, thickness and blood supply. This means that suitability for transplantation and graft distribution must be assessed carefully: not every scar is appropriate for the same surgical approach.<\/p>\n

In eyebrow transplantation, the direction of hair growth is particularly important and varies from one part of the eyebrow to another. Grafts must be placed at suitable angles and follow the eyebrow’s natural shape.<\/p>\n

Similarly, beard transplantation must account for differences in hair direction and density across the cheeks, moustache and jawline. Appropriate graft selection and placement help the new growth blend with the hair already present.<\/p>\n

These examples show why learning implantation techniques involves more than mastering a particular instrument. Surgeons must understand the features of each anatomical area, choose suitable grafts and adapt their technique to the individual case.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n \n
\n \n

\n Advanced Hair Clinics in the International Scientific Community <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n
\n

Dr. Anastasios Vekris’s involvement in the educational programme of the 34th ISHRS World Congress highlighted the role of specialised knowledge in planning and performing hair transplantation. From assessing available grafts to selecting the appropriate implantation method, each stage requires surgical experience, precision and decisions tailored to the individual patient.<\/p>\n

His participation alongside Dr. Antonia Andriopoulou in Rio forms part of Advanced Hair Clinics’ longstanding international scientific activity, including congresses, educational programmes and specialised surgical workshops. Exchanges with doctors from other countries make it possible to evaluate new techniques and remain closely informed about developments in surgical hair restoration.<\/p>\n

For Advanced Hair Clinics<\/a>, the value of this international activity lies in its application to everyday medical practice. Continuing scientific education and the use of evidence-based surgical approaches are essential to personalised treatment, with patient safety, careful planning and individual care as priorities.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21536,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21589"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21611,"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21589\/revisions\/21611"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advancedhairclinics.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}