Dr. Alfonso, speaker at the Santiago Hair Restoration Workshop 2026

October 23, 2026 · By Dr. Evelyn Alfonso

Dr. Evelyn Alfonso has been invited as a speaker at the Santiago Hair Restoration Workshop 2026, a training and exchange meeting for Chilean and international doctors dedicated to hair surgery.

For us it is important news, but also a good opportunity to tell you why events like this matter to patients, what the topics the doctor will address mean, and what you should know if you are considering a beard implant or a hair transplant with sedation.

The topics of her presentation

• Beard transplant.
• Sedation in hair surgery.

Two topics Dr. Alfonso works with every day at Clínica Lumos: the FUE beard implant and the hair transplant with sedation when the case requires it.

The event

• Date: November 27, 2026.
• Venue: Santiago Marriott Hotel.
• Organized by: ACHIRCC.

What is a hair restoration workshop

A workshop is a more hands-on and focused meeting than a large congress. Its goal is for doctors working in the same field to share experiences, discuss techniques, compare criteria and learn from each other. In hair surgery this is especially valuable, because it is a field where details —the design, donor area management, the implantation method or patient care during the procedure— make a real difference to the result.

The fact that Chile hosts meetings bringing together Chilean and international doctors is good news for patients: it encourages techniques and safety standards to be updated and openly discussed among specialists.

Why continuing education matters to you as a patient

Hair surgery is constantly evolving. Instruments change, extraction and implantation techniques are refined, safety protocols are reviewed and new ways of planning a natural long-term result are discussed. A doctor who takes part in congresses and scientific meetings stays exposed to that discussion and compares their practice with that of other colleagues.

For a patient, that translates into concrete questions worth asking when choosing where to be treated:

• Does the doctor who will evaluate and operate on me have specific training in hair surgery?
• Do they take part in scientific societies or continuing education in the field?
• Can they clearly explain why they propose one technique and not another?
• Is the procedure performed in an authorized facility with safety protocols?

In Dr. Alfonso’s case, her FUE training includes Turkey, Italy and Barcelona, and she is a member of FUE Europe. At Clínica Lumos she evaluates you personally and leads every procedure, which is performed in an operating room authorized by the SEREMI de Salud.

Beard implant: what you should know

A beard implant with the FUE technique consists of extracting follicular units, usually from the donor area of the scalp, and implanting them in the areas of the face where the beard is sparse or does not grow. It is used, for example, to fill in areas with low density, define the outline of the beard or mustache, or cover hairless areas.

Why it is a procedure with its own challenges

• The direction and angle of the hair on the face change a lot depending on the area, and respecting them is key for the result to look natural.
• The design must suit your features and your style: not everyone wants the same type of beard.
• The donor area must be managed carefully, especially if you might also need a scalp transplant in the future.

What to expect afterwards

As with a hair transplant, it is common for the implanted hair to shed temporarily in the first weeks before growing back, and for the result to become visible over the months. Timelines vary from patient to patient. We explain it for the scalp in shock loss after a transplant; the principles are similar.

Not everyone with a sparse beard is a candidate. Before deciding, it is important to rule out other causes of missing facial hair, such as some types of alopecia that can affect the beard, and to evaluate the donor area. You can read more in types of alopecia.

General care in the first weeks

The exact instructions are given by the doctor according to each case, but in general you are asked not to touch or scratch the small scabs that form, to follow the washing instructions, to avoid direct sun on the treated area and not to shave or trim the beard until you are allowed to. If you have increasing pain, marked redness, discharge or fever, it is important to seek care without waiting for your check-up.

Sedation in hair surgery: for whom and why

FUE hair transplant is performed under local anesthesia, and many patients tolerate it well while awake and relaxed. In some cases, however, sedation may be considered: for example, in people with a lot of anxiety about procedures, or when the characteristics of the case make it advisable.

Sedation is not an “extra” added simply for comfort: it is a medical decision that requires a prior evaluation, tests, adequate safety conditions and monitoring during the procedure. That is why it is a topic discussed among specialists, and why it is important that it be done in a facility equipped for it.

What to ask if you are interested in sedation

• Is it advisable in my case, or is local anesthesia enough?
• What prior tests do I need?
• How will I be monitored during the procedure?
• What care should I take afterwards, and who will accompany me home?

All these answers are defined in the medical evaluation, according to your general health and your case. More information in hair transplant with sedation.

A track record at congresses

In 2025 Dr. Alfonso was a speaker in the surgical session of the 10th SOCHIMCE Congress, where she presented her hair transplant technique to colleagues from all over Chile. She has also taken part in Tricomeet and in the SIRTI congress in Italy. You can read more about that participation in Dr. Alfonso as a speaker at the SOCHIMCE congress.

Taking part as a speaker means preparing, organizing and opening one’s own clinical experience to discussion with colleagues. That exercise requires rigorously reviewing what you do and why, something that ultimately benefits patients.

What this means if you are considering treatment

Beyond the news, what matters to you is that the decision to have a beard implant or a hair transplant starts with a good evaluation. At Clínica Lumos that includes:

• Personal evaluation with Dr. Evelyn Alfonso.
• Diagnosis supported by AI-assisted trichoscopy.
• Pre-operative tests that can be done at the clinic itself, if surgery is indicated.
• Direct contact via WhatsApp during treatment.

If you live outside the region, Clínica Lumos is in Viña del Mar, about 1 hour 30 minutes from Santiago, and the first evaluation can be done by teleconsultation. That way you can find out whether you are a candidate and which plan makes sense for you before traveling. More information in where we are and how to get here and in real patient results.

If you are not yet a candidate for surgery, there are also non-surgical alternatives such as the Hair Protocol.

Common myths about beards and sedation

“A beard implant is just a minor cosmetic matter”

For many people the beard is an important part of their image, and its absence can affect confidence. In addition, technically it is a demanding procedure that requires planning and good donor area management.

“If I’m sedated, no evaluation is needed”

It is the other way around: sedation requires an even more careful medical evaluation, with tests and adequate safety conditions.

“With sedation the procedure is faster”

Sedation aims to provide patient comfort and calm when the case warrants it, not to shorten the surgery. The duration depends mainly on the number of grafts and the characteristics of the case.

“The implanted beard hair falls out forever after a few weeks”

Temporary shedding in the first weeks is expected and does not mean the implant has failed. Final growth becomes visible over the months.

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone have a beard implant?

No. It depends on the cause of the missing beard, the donor area and your expectations. This is determined in a medical evaluation.

Does a beard implant look natural?

That is the goal, by respecting the natural direction, angle and density of the hair in each area of the face. Results vary from patient to patient.

Is sedation always used in hair transplants?

No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and sedation is considered only when the case requires it.

Does sedation have risks?

Like any medical procedure, yes. That is why it requires a prior evaluation, tests and a setting with safety and monitoring conditions. The doctor will explain whether it is right for you.

Can I have both a beard implant and a hair transplant?

It is possible in some cases, but use of the donor area must be carefully planned. This is evaluated individually.

In summary

Dr. Evelyn Alfonso’s invitation as a speaker at the Santiago Hair Restoration Workshop 2026, on the topics of beard transplant and sedation in hair surgery, adds to her track record at congresses such as SOCHIMCE, Tricomeet and SIRTI. For patients, this continuous updating translates into more rigorous work in evaluation, design and safety. Learn more about the Dr. Evelyn Alfonso and, if you are considering a beard implant or a hair transplant, book your evaluation.

This information is educational and does not replace a medical evaluation. Results vary from patient to patient.

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