XXIII Annual Congress of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) was held in Chicago, USA on September 9th-13th, 2015 (Program coordinater Nilofer Farjo). Our team was represented by the following members: Prof. Aleksiy Makharashvili, plastic surgeon Dea Papaskiri, dermatologist-trichologist Maka Doghozashvili, anesthesiologist Soso Begashvili.

734 delegates participated in congress on the whole (567 doctors and 167 assistants), 210 of which were first time registered. It should be noted that ISHRS regular congress attendants’ number is increasing every year, which speaks about growing interest to hair loss problem and further popularity of hair transplantation in the world.

Two main methods of hair transplantation – Strip and FUE methods were still actively discussed during the congress.

Possibilities, their advantages, indications and contraindications. FUE method is becoming more and more popular in recent years, but everyone agrees that Strip and FUE methods should not be considered as opponents; on the contrary, in frequent cases using them in a combined way gives the best results. Every patient needs individual approach and a doctor should choose the safest and most effective method for a patient in each case.

Our Delegation: S. Begashvili, M. Dighozashvili, D. Papaskiri, A. Makharashvili 

On interesting point was the session dedicated to the biography of the founder of hair transplantology, Japanese dermatologist Joshi Okuda and his scientific-practical work. Okuda’s commitment in the evolution of hair auto-transplantation is really enormous. His researches have not lost their actuality even today and they are basis of a lot of modern scientific works.

Quite big attention was directed to medication treatment of androgenic alopecia during the congress. There were a lot of interesting reports and discussions. The effectiveness of Minoxidil and Finasterid is doubtless in this context.

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) was actively considered as an alternative for medication treatment. Very comfortable, individual usage laser helmets, produced by different companies have been presented. Maka Doghozashvili actively participated in discussions regarding hair loss treatment methods without surgery.

At the end of the congress a traditional gala dinner (costumed party) took place, which was especially theatrical this year.

Bernard Nusbaum was named as the winner of the Golden Follicle 2015. We keep friendly relationships with him for the recent years.