Ivan Baranov, MD, PhD, hair transplant surgeon and founder of HairMed and the Institute of Hair Restoration Surgery (IHRS), has been working for over 15 years. Results are measured not only by the number of grafts but also by how a patient’s life changes after the procedure. His clinics combine cutting-edge medical technology with aesthetics and comfort, while his proprietary techniques ensure a natural and lasting outcome. In this interview, he shares what prompted him to step beyond medicine into business, why he is not afraid of training competitors, and how he maintains the quality and spirit of his brand while expanding a franchise during wartime.

Your personal story is a journey from doctor to entrepreneur who built a powerful brand. What was the “trigger” that pushed you to step beyond medicine into business? And was it frightening to build something of your own when the country is at war and the world is in crisis?

My personal story began in childhood — ever since kindergarten, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. And that’s exactly what happened: I entered medical school, graduated, worked in intensive care, completed a surgical residency, followed by one in the field of combustiology. But I was always drawn to aesthetic medicine — to work that helps people feel confident about themselves.

I first trained in trichology, and later in hair transplantation. I have now devoted 15 years to this field. The “trigger” was a combination of several factors: aesthetics, the desire to give people confidence, financial motivation, and the development of myself not only as a doctor but also as an entrepreneur. That realization came with time.

Was it scary to start? Very. Especially from scratch. At first, our space was just 30 square meters, then 100, and now we occupy 400. It was hard, but my dream kept me going, and I always had the support of my wife and family. We never allowed ourselves to think it might not work.

Yes, the country is at war, and the world is going through an economic and human resources crisis. But everyone has to keep working, earning, supporting the military, helping the wounded, and not forgetting about children and our social responsibility. We only have one life, and we must live it as fully and usefully as possible.

You don’t just perform hair transplants — you train others and are building an institute. Why is this personally important to you? What do you see as the mission of IHRS? And are you not afraid of “training” your competitors?

Today, we work according to well-developed internal hair transplantation protocols that we constantly update and enrich with new knowledge. My entire team and I continuously deepen our expertise to remain at the highest level in this field.

Over time, we decided to share our experience and began training Ukrainian specialists in hair transplantation. It’s a two-way process: we pass on our expertise, and in return, we also learn new ideas and approaches from colleagues. This led to the creation of the Institute of Hair Restoration Surgery, and now we are developing a professional educational platform.

We actively collaborate with Ukrainian professional associations, including the Association of Trichologists of Ukraine, as well as with specialists from other countries. We host educational events and workshops, inviting top experts from Japan, Belgium, Spain, and Greece. On November 11 this year, we are planning a major congress on trichology and hair transplantation.

Am I afraid of training competitors? No. I support fair and high-quality competition. My goal is to raise the standard of Ukrainian hair transplantation so that we never face situations like in Turkey, where even unqualified staff can perform transplants for a low price. I want our field to operate at a high professional level, ensuring patients’ safety and confidence in the quality of services.

Hair transplantation is a field full of myths. What’s the most absurd stereotype you’ve ever heard? And what should people who are only considering the procedure really know?

Indeed, both trichology and hair transplantation are surrounded by a huge number of myths. Many of these so-called “truths” are more than 100–200 years old, yet they are still repeated, even though modern science has long disproved them.

One of the most absurd myths is that transplanted hair will inevitably fall out after two years. This is not true. The hair used for transplantation is taken from the donor zone and retains its properties for life.

Another common myth is that it’s possible to regrow hair on a completely bald area simply by using minoxidil or other lotions. If the area has completely lost its follicles, no medication or injections will bring the hair back — only surgical transplantation can.

Hair transplantation is a serious surgical procedure, and it should be approached responsibly, choosing a clinic and a surgeon based on professionalism, not on flashy advertising or the lowest price.

You work with a very intimate subject — hair loss. How does a person change after a hair transplant? Can you share the most emotional case you still remember?

Hair is indeed a very intimate subject, especially for men. In their environment, it’s not common to talk about personal insecurities or perceived flaws. If they see hair loss as a defect, it can have a profound impact on their self-esteem.

In some ways, men are actually easier to work with — they tend to assess the situation realistically and accept hair loss as a part of life. But when a patient decides to go through with a transplant, in 95% of cases, after the procedure, they say: “If I had known it would be this comfortable, with such a short recovery period — just 10–14 days — I would have done it much earlier.”

The results can be truly transformative: someone who lived for years without hair suddenly sees it in the mirror again, looks younger, feels more confident, and gains a new surge of energy and motivation. The most rewarding moments are when a patient simply walks into the clinic to say: “Thank you to the whole team. You’ve changed my life.”

Many still believe that hair transplantation is exclusively a “men’s topic.” How true is that, and what challenges do women face in your clinics?

It’s true that most of our patients are men — about 90–95%. However, women also come to us, and their needs are often quite specific.

First, there’s eyebrow transplantation — for example, in cases where hair has stopped growing due to hypotrichosis, over-plucking, or trauma.

Second, women with a naturally high hairline or pronounced temporal recessions often wish to adjust the frontal hairline so they can wear hairstyles like ponytails more comfortably.

Third, there’s androgenetic hair loss in the female pattern, where thinning occurs mainly along the central parting. In such cases, transplantation is not always possible — only in about 30% of patients, depending on the condition of the donor area.

There are also women who seek treatment after injuries, burns, or surgeries that have caused scarring alopecia. Here, we work not only with women but also with men, including military personnel. For those with scarring alopecia — particularly after blast injuries — we have a special program with highly individualized conditions to provide maximum support for recovery.

ou invest heavily in education — and not only in medical training. Why is this a matter of principle for you? And in your opinion, what distinguishes a good hair transplant surgeon from a mediocre one?

I am constantly learning, and for me, it’s not just a professional necessity but also a great pleasure. I enjoy growing, acquiring new knowledge in hair transplantation, and studying modern technologies and techniques. I regularly register for international congresses, take part in online lectures, and, whenever possible, attend events in person.

Some might say that we already have tremendous experience — and that’s true. But experience without continuous learning quickly becomes outdated. Education is essential both for me and for my team to ensure we consistently deliver the highest quality services.

Beyond medicine, I have been developing in business for several years — from team management to building partnerships. This knowledge helps me shape the right team, understand whom to collaborate with and whom to avoid. I also invest time and resources into other, non-medical fields because growth in different areas enriches me both as a person and as a professional.

As for what distinguishes a good hair transplant surgeon from a mediocre one — in my view, it’s the combination of three things: deep knowledge and skill, constant curiosity and willingness to learn, and a genuine desire to help the patient rather than just perform a technical procedure.

You have developed your own proprietary techniques. Can you lift the curtain a little — what makes them unique, and how do they change the outcome for patients?

The proprietary techniques we use have been developed over many years. They are precise protocols that our specialists follow with absolute consistency. They cover every stage of the process — from the time spent in the operating room to graft logistics and strict control of temperature conditions. We combine several techniques to achieve the most natural look possible, while also taking into account numerous nuances that remain our internal professional secrets.

These methods are the result of continuous refinement. In the early days, it was, so to speak, “rough work,” but over time we have honed it to the level of true craftsmanship. Every day, we polish our skills like master jewelers creating the finest pieces in the world — so that each patient receives a result that is as natural, aesthetic, and long-lasting as possible.