Dr. Sharon Keene

Brief info

Dr. Sharon Keene has a stellar reputation and has been referred to as an icon in the field of hair restoration. She regularly lectures and demonstrates her state-of-the-art techniques at hair restoration conferences domestically and internationally.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Keene studied general surgery for five years at the University of Arizona, serving as chief surgical resident in her final year of residency. She spent two years studying hair loss and surgical hair restoration techniques before establishing her own clinic.

Dr. Keene is certified by the American Board of Surgery, which is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties. The American Board of Medical Specialties is the only recognized board for medical specialties. Dr. Keene acts as an expert consultant to the Board of Medical Examiners in reviewing hair restoration surgery cases. She is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), and the European Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Since 1995, she has participated among a team of surgeons teaching follicular unit grafting to doctors from all over the world at the International Hair Restoration Surgery conferences. She is well known among patients and doctors for her integrity, honest medical advice, and surgical skill in providing the most advanced techniques available anywhere at an affordable rate. Dr. Keene has received numerous awards from her colleagues in the field, including the European Society and Italian Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, recognizing her primary work in follicular unit grafting and medical devices to improve quality and efficiency in mega sessions. She continues to serve on the committee for evidence-based medicine in hair restoration surgery and continuing medical education for the ISHRS in 2008. She is also serving as committee moderator for a discussion forum on density in hair restoration at the 2008 ISHRS meeting in Montreal. Dr. Keene had the honor to serve as Chair for the 15th annual scientific meeting of the ISHRS conference in 2007 (the chair invites faculty members, approves presentations, and acts as general organizer for the conference). The ISHRS achieved superior recognition and approval from the American Medical Association continuing medical education (CME) certification for the curriculum that was organized by Dr. Keene and the scientific committee.

In the past year Dr. Keene has expanded her scientific research to include the study of genetics and has become the chief medical officer for Hairdx.com, the first company offering genetic testing for androgenetic alopecia.

Dr. Keene utilizes the Microprecision follicular grafting technique, with double follicular units in some areas to provide maximum density for less cost and has a very hands-on approach in the surgery room. She also uses the trichophytic closure and lateral slits where appropriate, as well as varying her blade size to match the graft sizes, to minimize trauma.

Dr. Keene is involved in every aspect of the surgery, from donor removal, to creating the recipient sites, to placing the grafts, along with her experienced assistants. Each patient is given not just her staff’s attention, but her personal attention throughout the surgery.

Dr. Keene is recommended by many organizations including The American Hair Loss Association.

  • In February, 2020, at the 6th workshop of Latino Americano FUE, in Cancun, Mexico, Dr. Keene was awarded a certificate for her “brilliant participation, valuable input and dedication.”
  • In October, 2020 she was awarded a certificate “with sincere appreciation for your scientific and educational contributions toward the 28th annual World Congress of the ISHRS” which took place virtually.
  • In March, 2019, at the 5th workshop of Latino Americano FUE, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dr. Keene was awarded a certificate in recognition of her outstanding participation and valuable scientific input
  • In August, 2019 she participated as staff in the 11th annual Hair Transplant 360 workshop at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where she received a certificate as an honored guest speaker.
  • In November, 2019, she was part of a team of doctors at the ISHRS World Live Surgery Workshop in Bangkok, Thailand where she received a certificate “with gratitude for generous gift of teaching.”
  • At the 2018 Annual Scientific meeting, she was recognized for her outstanding contribution and effort as past president on the board of governors.
  • At the 2017 Annual Scientific meeting of the ISHRS, in Prague, Dr. Keene received a plaque in recognition of advancing the Art and Science of Hair Restoration, and Exemplifying the 3 Pillars of the ISHRS, (exchanging education, artistry, and professional excellence)
  • At the 2017 FUE Immersion workshop in Polanica Zdroj, Poland, Dr. Keene received a plaque in Recognition of her Scientific Contribution as Faculty.
  • At the world congress of Cosmetic Dermatology in Bangalore India, 2017, she received an award for serving as faculty, where she lectured on “photo biomodulation” and “What’s new in hair transplants?”
  • As faculty for the Orlando live surgery workshop in 2017, Dr. Keene was awarded a certificate “in deepest gratitude for her vision, support and educational excellence.”
  • In 2016, as an advocate for promoting patient welfare, Dr Keene was awarded a plaque “in grateful appreciation for her dedication and commitment to the ISHRS in promoting high standards of safety and quality of care for hair loss patients.”
  • In 2016, she also served as faculty for the live surgery FUE workshop in Istanbul, Turkey where she was given a plaque “in grateful appreciation and in recognition as a faculty member. “
  • In 2015, Dr. Keene was presented an award in recognition of “Outstanding Leadership as the President of the ISHRS from September 2014-September, 2015.”
  • In 2013, Dr. Keene was awarded the prestigious Platinum Follicle Award, from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. The Platinum Follicle Award represents “Outstanding achievement in basic scientific or clinically-related research in hair pathophysiology or anatomy as it relates to hair restoration.”
  • At the 2005 Italian Society of Hair Restoration Conference in Modena, Italy, she was awarded the Ghirlandina award for aesthetic talent in hair restoration.
  • In 2003, her reputation for providing honest medical advice based on science earned her the Mouth of Truth award for ethics at the Italian Hair Society meeting. There, she first introduced the use of video magnification for dissection.
  • In 2002, she was given an honorary membership to the Italian Society of Hair Restoration, usually only open to Italian doctors, and was awarded the Michelangelo award for her contributions to their annual meeting that took place in Florence that year.
  • At the 2001 Italian Hair Society, in Syracuse Italy, where she demonstrated follicular unit grafting surgery, she was awarded the “Archimedes award in Hair Restoration” in recognition of her innovation in creating the multibladed recipient site scalpel.

Dr. Keene’s list of Scientific Publications reveals the breadth of her interests and studies on behalf of improving the medical understanding of hair loss and various treatments:

  • “Vitamin D Deficiency and Hair Loss-A Case Report and Review of the Literature for Diagnosis and Treatment,” Hair Transplant Forum International, July 2022, 32 (4) 113- 122, Sharon Keene MD FISHRS
  • “Follicular Unit Excision-Linear Ellipse (FUE-LE): A New Way to Add the Linear Ellipse Donor Harvesting Method to any FUE Practice” Hair Transplant Forum International, Volume 32, Number 1 January/February 2022 p 1, Sharon Keene MD FISHRS
  • “Determining Safe Excision Limits in FUE: Factors that Affect, and a Simple way to Maintain Aesthetic Donor Density,” Hair Transplant Forum International, Vol 23, Number 1, Jan/Feb 2018, Sharon A Keene, MD FISHRS, William R. Rassman, MD, James A. Harris, MD FISHRS
  • “Graft Production,” Hair Transplantation 6th Edition, 2017 (Chapter 37) Sharon A. Keene MD
  • “Illuminating current pitfalls in optimal photo biomodulation device development and assessment for treating hair loss,” Experimental Dermatology, Sharon A Keene, July 1, 2016
  • “Illuminating current pitfalls in optimal photo biomodulation device development and assessment for treating hair loss,” Experimental Dermatology, 2016 Oct 25 (10) 758-9, Keene SA
  • “Part 3, Critically Assessing Recent LLT Device Trials Limitations, Recommendations, and Conclusions,” Hair Transplant Forum International, Sharon A. Keene, MD FISHRS, May/June 2015
  • “Part 2, LLT Devices, Medical Device Regulation, and Impact on Development,” Hair Transplant Forum International, Sharon A. Keene, MD FISHRS, Jan/Feb 2015
  • “Part 1, The Science of Light Bio stimulation and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)”, Hair Transplant Forum International, Sharon A. Keene FISHRS, Volume 24, No. 6, Nov/Dec 2014
  • “Hair Restoration surgery: State of the Art,” Aesthetic Surgery Journal, (co authored with colleagues) Vogel, Jimeniz, Cole, Keene, Harris, Barrrera, Rose, Jan; 33(1) 128-51
  • “Part III: Evidence suggests Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC’s) influence our hormonal environment and possibly AGA,” Cyberchat for the ISHRS, February, 2012
  • “Part II: Evidence that lifestyle choices may impact hair loss in androgenetic alopecia,” Cyberchat for the ISHRS, June 2012
  • “Part I: Beyond Genetics in AGA: Are Epigenetics just as important in determining and treating hair loss?” Cyberchat for the ISHRS, Oct 2011
  • “Genetic variations in the androgen receptor gene and finasteride response in women with androgenetic alopecia mediated by epigenetics.” Dermatology Therapy 2011 Mar- Apr: 24 (2) 296-300, Keene S., Goran A.
  • “Natural Hairline Density in Men: Findings of a Pilot Survey,” Sharon A. Keene, MD, Hair Transplant Forum International, Vol. 19, Number 2, March/Apr 2009.
  • “Midline Convergence” in the 2005 fall issue of The Hair Transplant Forum International
    • Contributing author to “Hair Restoration Surgical Instrumentation,” Hair Transplantation 4th Ed, 2004, chapter 22
    • “Improving the Visualization of Gray Hair Follicles,” published in the
      International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, Vol. 3, No.2, 2001
    • Dr. Keene also co-authored the article “Clinical Significance of Molecular Markers in Cancer Staging” published in Surgery, Vol. 129, No. 1, January 2001
  • “Cosmetic Significance of Follicular Units vs. Small Mini Grafts,” published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, 1998
  • “Finasteride and Future Hair Loss,” published in The Hair Transplant Forum, 1ST Quarter, 1998