Dr. Pathuri Madhu
Founder and chief hair transplant surgeon
- MD (Dermatology)
- Registration: APMC/19789
- ABHRS Diplomate, certified 2009, re-certified 2019
- Associate Member of ISHRS; life member of AHRS and AAHRS
- 31 years in hair restoration
Patient guide · India
Which doctor does hair transplant in India?
Experienced. Expert. Ethical.
Check the qualifications before you book
Short answer: in India, a hair transplant should be done by a registered doctor with a postgraduate surgical qualification: MD/DNB in Dermatology (dermatologist) or MCh/DNB in Plastic Surgery (plastic surgeon). Both are named by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Technicians, salon staff and "hair experts" are not qualified to perform it.
Who can perform a hair transplant?
DermatologistMBBS + MD/DNB Dermatology, with training in dermatological surgery
Plastic surgeonMBBS + MS, then MCh/DNB Plastic Surgery
Not qualified to operateTechnicians, salon staff, "hair experts", trichologists and cosmetologists
Source: NMC guidelines, 2022
Dr. Madhu's Advanced Hair Transplant Centre
Meet your hair transplant doctors
Every procedure is planned by these doctors. Dr. P. Ram Sushruth performs every step up to and including making the slits: hairline design, taking the grafts and the slits. Trained technicians then place the grafts into the slits under his supervision, the team approach the ISHRS describes, so the surgeon stays fresh through long sessions.
Dr. P. Ram Sushruth
Dermatologist and hair restoration surgeon
- MD (DVL)
- Registration: TSMC/FMR/02741
- ABHRS Diplomate, certified 2025
- Member of ISHRS since 2020; youngest Joint Secretary of AHRS India; member of AAHRS
- Trained personally by Dr. Madhu; in charge of performing all hair transplant procedures
Dr. Ramya Sree P.
Plastic surgeon
- M.S., DrNB (Plastic Surgery)
- Registration: TSMC/FMR/02477
- Life member of AHRS, APSI, IAAPS and BRASA
- Trained in BLS and ACLS
Qualifications
Which doctors are qualified to do a hair transplant in India?
| Doctor | Qualification | NMC position |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatologist | MBBS + MD/DNB Dermatology (a 3-year postgraduate residency) | Named, with training in dermatological surgical procedures |
| Plastic surgeon | MBBS + MS, then MCh/DNB Plastic Surgery | Named |
Dermatologists are trained in the skin and scalp, in diagnosing the cause of hair loss, and in dermatologic surgery: local anaesthesia, incisions, suturing and wound healing. That is why the NMC names them alongside plastic surgeons.
What is a hair transplant doctor called?
There is no separate degree called "hair transplant doctor". The doctor is called a hair transplant surgeon or hair restoration surgeon, and in India is a dermatologist (dermatologic surgeon) or a plastic surgeon who has trained in hair restoration.
Diagnosis first
Why the doctor needs to examine you in person
A hair transplant starts with a diagnosis. An online consultation is a good first step if you live outside Hyderabad, but the final plan is made after the doctor examines you at the clinic.
- Finding the cause of your hair loss. Pattern baldness, alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, telogen effluvium and traction alopecia need different plans. Some need medical treatment, not surgery.
- Scalp and donor assessment. The doctor examines your scalp, hair density and donor area directly, which photos and video calls cannot fully show.
- Candidacy and realistic planning. The doctor tells you whether you are a suitable candidate, how many grafts are realistic, and how to plan for the hair loss you may have in 10 to 20 years.
- Meeting the doctor who will operate. You can ask about their qualifications and see the operation facility and its emergency setup.
The rules
What do Indian regulators and courts say?
- May 2022
Delhi High Court: Hair transplantation is aesthetic surgery, to be done by qualified dermatologists or trained surgeons. Court order
- Sep 2022
National Medical Commission: Only registered doctors, preferably MD/DNB Dermatology or MCh/DNB Plastic Surgery; assistants work only under the doctor's direct supervision. NMC guidelines
- Jun 2025
Telangana Medical Council: Dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons are not trained for hair transplants. Council notice
- Dec 2025
Union Health Ministry: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may do selected hair-restoration procedures in the face and jaw region; the councils still differ on this. Ministry reply
- Feb 2026
Tamil Nadu: Only MD/DNB Dermatology or MCh/DNB Plastic Surgery specialists, in licensed centres. Government order
Training beyond the degree
Which hair restoration societies matter?
India has no compulsory hair-specific certification, so a surgeon's extra credentials show real commitment to the field.
ISHRS
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, the largest global society of hair restoration physicians, with more than 1,100 members in about 70 countries.
At the centre: Dr. P. Ram Sushruth, member since 2020; Dr. Madhu, Associate Member.
ABHRS
The American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery, the only board certification focused strictly on hair restoration surgery. Doctors submit documented cases, operative reports and photos, then pass written and oral exams.
At the centre: Dr. Madhu (2009, re-certified 2019) and Dr. P. Ram Sushruth (2025) are both Diplomates. What ABHRS certification means
AHRS and AAHRS
The Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons, India, and the Asian Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons, the regional societies for hair restoration surgeons.
At the centre: Dr. P. Ram Sushruth is the youngest Joint Secretary of AHRS India; Dr. Madhu and Dr. Ramya Sree P. are life members of AHRS.
IAAPS
The Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the national association of aesthetic plastic surgeons.
At the centre: Dr. Ramya Sree P. is a life member.
Be careful
Red flags: titles and practices to avoid
- "Hair care expert", "hair expert" or "hair specialist"
- "Hair transplant specialist" or "technician" with no MD/DNB or MCh/DNB degree
- "Aesthetic physician" or "cosmetologist" (a certificate course is not a surgical specialty)
- "Trichologist" (a hair and scalp title, not a licence to operate)
- "Dr." or "consultant" with no degree or registration number shown
- A "hair studio" or salon licence in place of a medical facility
- Technicians making incisions while the doctor is "visiting"
- "100% result" or guaranteed graft-count packages with no diagnosis first
Before you book
How to choose a hair transplant doctor in India: 7-point checklist
Each point, and how Dr. Madhu's meets it. For the full 12-point checklist for the centre, see how to choose a good hair transplant centre.
Check the postgraduate degree
MD/DNB Dermatology or MCh/DNB Plastic Surgery.
At Dr. Madhu's: Dr. Madhu: MD (Dermatology). Dr. P. Ram Sushruth: MD (DVL). Dr. Ramya Sree P.: M.S., DrNB (Plastic Surgery).
Verify the registration number
Look it up on the NMC's Indian Medical Register or your State Medical Council's register.
At Dr. Madhu's: Dr. Madhu: APMC/19789. Dr. P. Ram Sushruth: TSMC/FMR/02741. Dr. Ramya Sree P.: TSMC/FMR/02477.
Ask who makes the incisions and designs the hairline
It should be the doctor.
At Dr. Madhu's: Dr. P. Ram Sushruth, trained personally by Dr. Madhu, designs the hairline, takes the grafts and makes the slits. Trained technicians place the grafts under his supervision, as the ISHRS describes.
Ask about society membership and board certification
ISHRS membership and ABHRS certification show training beyond the degree.
At Dr. Madhu's: Two ABHRS Diplomates; members of ISHRS, AHRS and AAHRS.
Ask for a diagnosis before any surgical plan
The cause of hair loss decides whether surgery is right.
At Dr. Madhu's: Some patients are advised medical treatment first. See am I a good candidate?
Ask to see unedited results and the emergency setup
Results should be of the doctor's own patients.
At Dr. Madhu's: See our before and after results. The doctors are trained in BLS and ACLS.
Ask for written consent
It should cover the risks and the alternatives.
At Dr. Madhu's: Taken before every procedure.
Questions
Hair transplant doctors: frequently asked questions
Which doctor does hair transplant in India?
A registered medical practitioner with surgical training. The NMC says hair transplants should preferably be done by a dermatologist (MD/DNB Dermatology, with training in dermatological surgery) or a plastic surgeon (MCh/DNB Plastic Surgery), ideally with hair restoration training and credentials.
Is a dermatologist qualified to do a hair transplant?
Yes. The NMC names MD/DNB Dermatology, with training in dermatological surgical procedures, as a qualification for hair transplantation. Dermatologists are trained in the skin and scalp, in diagnosing hair loss and in dermatologic surgery.
What is a hair transplant doctor called?
A hair transplant surgeon or hair restoration surgeon. There is no separate degree called hair transplant doctor: in India it is a dermatologist (dermatologic surgeon) or a plastic surgeon who has trained in hair restoration.
Can a technician or cosmetologist do a hair transplant?
No. The surgery must be done by a doctor. Under the NMC guidelines, trained assistants such as nurses and OT technicians may help only under the treating doctor's direct supervision, for example by placing grafts into slits the surgeon has made. A cosmetology certificate is not a surgical qualification.
How do I check a hair transplant doctor's qualifications?
Ask for the degree and the registration number, and verify them on the NMC's Indian Medical Register or your State Medical Council's register.
What does ABHRS certification mean?
It is a board certification focused strictly on hair restoration surgery. Doctors submit documented cases, operative reports and photos, then pass written and oral exams. Dr. Madhu and Dr. P. Ram Sushruth are both ABHRS Diplomates.
Hair transplant doctor ko kya kehte hain? (हेयर ट्रांसप्लांट डॉक्टर को क्या कहते हैं?)
Hair transplant surgeon. India mein yeh dermatologist (MD/DNB Dermatology) ya plastic surgeon (MCh/DNB Plastic Surgery) hote hain.
More answers on the hair transplant FAQ page.
Sources: the regulator and court links above, ISHRS and ABHRS. General information, not medical or legal advice.
Talk to the doctors' team
In-person consultations in Jubilee Hills, or an online consultation if you live outside Hyderabad.
Consultations all days, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, by appointment