He was among the select international faculty members invited to speak at the HMSC-FUE Global World Congress 2026 in Guangzhou, China, where he shared his insights into the practical challenges of Non-Shaven Long Hair FUE.
Guangzhou, China – June 2026 – Noted Hyderabad-based hair restoration surgeon Dr. John Watts addressed an international audience at the HMSC-FUE Global World Congress 2026 in Guangzhou, China, highlighting the practical challenges of Non-Shaven Long Hair FUE.
As part of the pre-conference workshop titled “Graft Extraction Masterclass,” Dr. Watts delivered a presentation on the challenges encountered while performing Non-Shaven Long Hair Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
In his presentation, Dr. Watts emphasized that while Non-Shaven Long Hair FUE is increasingly sought after for its discreet recovery and immediate cosmetic preview, surgeons must be prepared to navigate a unique set of technical and procedural challenges to achieve consistent outcomes.
“Over the last few years, while performing long hair transplant procedures, I realised that the real discussion is not about results, but about the difficulties we face while achieving them.” – Dr. John Watts
Dr. Watts was among the select invited international faculty members at the congress and also took part in the Roundtable Discussion: Development and Prospects of Hair Medicine from a Global Perspective.
Drawing from his own surgical experience, Dr. Watts explained that mastering Non-Shaven Long Hair FUE involves more than simply acquiring new equipment. Surgeons must adapt to a different workflow, unlearn conventional extraction habits, develop confidence in advanced machine-assisted systems, and gradually build proficiency through structured training and case progression.
A major focus of the presentation was the learning curve associated with long-hair procedures. Dr. Watts highlighted challenges such as graft visualisation under long hair, maintaining a clear surgical field, bleeding control, managing hair matting, entanglement, time management, graft dislodgment, preserving correct implantation angle, curl, and direction to achieve natural aesthetic outcomes.
“Buying is easy; learning and practice is what separates you from the rest,” he remarked, while discussing the importance of hands-on experience and continuous learning.
He also discussed the growing role of advanced extraction systems that utilise combinations of rotation, oscillation, and vibration to assist follicular extraction. While technology continues to evolve, he stressed that surgeon judgment, technique, and understanding of tissue behaviour remain critical to successful outcomes.
The presentation further addressed post-operative challenges, including hair entanglement, graft dislodgement, and patient education. Dr. Watts noted that patients undergoing Long Hair FUE should be counselled about temporary shedding of implanted hairs before regrowth and advised on appropriate post-operative care measures, including saline sprays and avoiding early combing.
For surgeons adopting the technique, he recommended starting with few grafts by including small areas of Long Hair FUE within routine cases, such as scar repairs or limited patches, before progressing to larger procedures. He also encouraged participation in workshops, conferences, mentorship programs, and professional communities to shorten the learning curve and improve surgical confidence.
Beyond his presentation, Dr. Watts joined experts from around the world in discussions on the future direction of hair medicine, reflecting the increasing global exchange of knowledge and innovation within the field of hair restoration.
Key Challenges Highlighted by Dr. John Watts
- Surgeon mindset and motivation for adopting Long Hair FUE
- Understanding Non-Shaven Long Hair FUE workflow
- Unlearning conventional FUE techniques
- Learning new extraction dynamics
- Device and machine adaptation
- Developing trust in machine-assisted extraction
- Graft visualisation under long hair
- Magnification and working-distance adjustments
- Bleeding control during extraction
- Managing hair matting, graft dislodgment and entanglement
- Time management during procedures
- Gradual case scaling and performance benchmarks
- Implantation angle, curl, and direction control
- Post-operative care and patient expectation management
About Dr John Watts:
Dr. John Watts is a dermatologist and hair restoration surgeon with over 15 years of experience and has been exclusively performing hair transplant surgeries since 2011. Founder of Trichos Hair Transplant Center, he has performed more than 3,500 hair transplant procedures and is recognized as the first surgeon in South India to perform Non-Shaven Long Hair FUE. He is a member of leading professional organizations, including the American Board Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS), International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), Asian Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons (AAHRS), and the Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons of India (AHRS India)