The global hair transplant industry is worth more than $6 billion — and a sixth of this value comes from Turkey [1].
Turkey is a popular hair transplant destination, thanks to its cut-rate hair restoration treatments. You only need to spend a couple of days in the centre of Istanbul to see a swarm of bandaged heads buzzing around Taksim.
However, Turkey has a notoriously poor safety record when it comes to cosmetic surgery — including hair transplants. A 2021 survey by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons found that 100% of complications following cosmetic surgery occurred in Turkish clinics [2].
While there are some good hair transplantation clinics in Turkey, there are also many unlicensed surgeons offering black-market hair transplants. These fraudsters prey on people with low confidence and low budgets. So it’s essential that you know the red flags of hair transplant clinics in Turkey to look out for.
Ultimately, people who have a hair transplant operation on the black market can end up paying far more. Globally, a staggering 96.4% of ISHRS members reported that up to a quarter of the hair transplant procedures they performed last year were due to a previous black-market hair transplant.
Turkey has become a popular destination for medical tourists seeking hair transplants due to the low cost of procedures compared to other countries. But is traveling to Turkey the right decision for your hair restoration needs? There are several factors to consider.
Cost Savings
The primary reason many consider getting a hair transplant in Turkey is the potential for significant cost savings. Hair transplants performed in Western countries like the United States, UK, and Canada typically range from $10,000 to $30,000. In Turkey patients can find packages for under $2000. Even when including travel expenses, the total cost can be 50-80% less than locally.
For those needing a large number of grafts, these savings are especially substantial. Patients requiring 3,000-4,000 grafts may pay $20,000 or more in their home country. In Turkey, the same procedure may cost $5,000-8,000 including travel.
Quality of Care
While prices are lower, Turkey still has many skilled and experienced hair transplant surgeons. Top clinics like Este Medical Group and Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic attract patients from around the world and have excellent reputations. These clinics employ doctors certified by the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS) and use advanced techniques like FUE.
However, the popularity of medical tourism has also led some inexperienced or unqualified providers to offer hair transplants Thorough research into clinic, certifications, before and after photos, and reviews is essential to finding a skilled surgeon, just as it would be locally.
Travel Considerations
Traveling abroad for a hair transplant does require more time and planning. Most patients stay 7-10 days to allow for consultations before and follow-up appointments after. Travel time and jet lag can also be tiring.
Using a medical tourism facilitator can minimize the hassle of travel. They arrange details like flights, airport transfers, hotel accommodations, and translation services. However, travelers should still research visa requirements.
Risk of Overharvesting
Patients needing a large number of grafts are at increased risk of overharvesting the donor area. Removing too many follicles can cause the donor area to look thin or depleted, especially when closely shaved. This prevents successful procedures in the future if more hair loss occurs.
Reputable surgeons carefully evaluate patients during consultations to determine the maximum number of grafts that can be safely extracted. But those seeking more than 3,000 grafts should consider leaving some donor hair for potential future procedures.
Aftercare Differences
Follow-up care is crucial for optimal transplant results. While some clinics offer virtual consultations, being far from your surgeon can make aftercare more challenging. You must carefully follow instructions on washing, rest, and medications while monitoring for signs of infection or complications.
Traveling back soon after surgery increases risks like grafts being dislodged. Remaining in Turkey for at least 7 days allows for one or more follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing before returning home.
Results May Vary
The success of a hair transplant depends on the skill of the surgeon and your individual characteristics like hair color, texture, and caliber. Be wary of low prices or deals that seem too good to be true. Results can vary significantly between clinics.
Do not assume the results of Turkish clinics advertising on social media represent what the average patient will achieve. Thoroughly research clinics and ask to see before and after photos from patients with similar hair types and loss patterns to yours.
Should You Go?
For those with mild to moderate hair loss needing 1,000-2,000 grafts, Turkey offers an affordable option for high-quality hair transplants when you carefully select your clinic. The cost differences are significant enough to make travel worthwhile.
Patients with advanced hair loss considering larger sessions exceeding 3,000 grafts should weigh benefits against the risks.Overharvesting could impact future procedures or beard/body hair transplants. Leaving some donor hair may be advisable. Consider travel costs and convenience of follow-up care at home.
Every patient’s needs are unique. Begin consultations several months before your planned procedure date. Discuss your specific goals, expectations, and concerns to determine if a hair transplant in Turkey is right for you.
Comparing costs with the United Kingdom
Compare these findings with our UK hair transplant cost analysis at a glance:
| Turkey | UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Average price | £1,464 | £4,820 |
| Lowest quote | £850 | £1,995 |
| Highest quote | £2,490 | £15,000 |
| Average surgeon experience | 12 years* | 13 years* |
| Average cost per graft | £0.55 | £3.25 |
| Average number of grafts recommended | 2,822 | 1,610 |
It’s clear why hair transplants in Istanbul are so tempting. The average hair transplant cost per graft is 83% lower in Turkey than in the UK. So if you have advanced hair loss and need a large number of grafts, travelling to Turkey for your hair transplantation surgery may substantially reduce the cost of your transplant.
However, the high number of grafts quoted in comparison with UK clinics should ring alarm bells for prospective patients. Turkish clinics quoted 75% more grafts than UK clinics for the same procedure — which puts you at high risk of overharvesting. That means you may not have enough donor hair left if you need future procedures (either to fix a bad hair transplant or if you have continuing hair loss).
It also raises questions about who’s assessing your hair loss, and how accurately they can do so without inspecting your scalp in the flesh. This also means that while the cost per graft is low, you could be quoted a higher number of grafts than you actually need which in turn artificially inflates the price of your hair transplant operation.
What to consider if you decide to have a hair transplant in Turkey
For many people, getting a hair transplant in Turkey is the right choice. They find licensed clinics with scrupulous health and safety measures and get a quality, lasting hair transplant. But to ensure this is the best decision for you, there are a few questions to consider:
- What are the health and safety standards like? Safety should be the top priority for you and your surgical team. Check patient reviews and conduct thorough research to be certain the clinic follows high health and safety standards.
- How keen are they to get you in the chair? In our research, one clinic was so eager for business that they offered to pay for our flights. This is a cause for concern, as clinics must be cutting costs somewhere to pay for these added extras.
- Who’s assessing your hair loss, and how? It’s difficult to properly assess hair loss on a video call or photographs alone. So the number of grafts you’re quoted may not be accurate, especially if your consultant is inexperienced or unqualified.
- Are the added extras really worth it? All-expenses-paid trips may sound luxurious. But in reality, hair transplant packages aren’t all that cost-effective. A taxi ride from the airport to the centre of Istanbul will set you back about £15. Accommodation is also reasonably priced, with a 2-night stay at a 4-star hotel costing around £100.
- What can they do to fix your transplant if it goes wrong? From infections to grafts that don’t take, hair transplants can go wrong. When you have surgery at an overseas hair transplant clinic, you can’t go back for advice or aftercare, so you may end up paying a UK hair transplant clinic to fix it for you at a higher price.
- What action can you take against the hair transplant clinic if your transplant goes wrong? In our research, 19% of emails sent to hair transplant clinics in Turkey bounced — almost a fifth of the total. Clinics open and close very quickly, which leaves you with little to no recourse if they botch your hair transplantation surgery.
- What kind of aftercare will you receive? Hair transplant recovery is a long process, and many patients have questions and concerns throughout. An overseas surgeon will be unable to examine your transplant if you have concerns about your recovery.
- Will there be communication barriers? When it comes to your health, communication is everything. You’ll probably have a lot of questions for your hair transplant consultant, so you need to be sure that you’re understood, and that you understand how the surgery will work.
- What happens if you’re unhappy with your long-term results? The data suggests Turkish clinics tend to harvest more grafts than they need. This may compromise the hair follicles in your donor area for future transplants if needed. You may also see more significant scarring if your surgeon is inexperienced or unlicensed.
Below we have shared a video of ISHRS members discussing (January 2023) some of the dangers of having a hair transplant in Turkey, where they claim there are 300 low-cost clinics – the majority of which do not have a qualified medical professional on-site.
While this can lead to a botched hair transplant that requires fixing (if it can be fixed) it can also sadly be fatal as one hair transplant-related death was reported in Turkey in 2021. Thankfully there have been none in the United Kingdom.
Hair transplant tourism in Turkey
FAQ
Why does everyone go to Turkey for a hair transplant?
Are Turkey hair transplants better than us?
How much does 3000 grafts hair transplant cost in Turkey?
Can I travel to Turkey for a hair transplant?
A visa is also not a substitute for a passport. Patients should check the Turkish government website well in advance of travelling. The application will also ensure you have all the correct documentation for travelling to Turkey for a hair transplant. It is vital that those who are dual nationals register the passport they intend to use.
How safe is a hair transplant?
Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that moves active follicles from the back of the scalp to areas where the hair is thinning. Once transplanted, the hair grows normally. Overall, a hair transplant is very safe. Most importantly, anyone contemplating the procedure needs to know what the process involves and what cosmetic changes he or she can expect.
Why are hair transplants so popular in Turkey?
This surge can be attributed to several factors, including the country’s state-of-the-art medical facilities, the expertise of its surgeons, and the affordability of its medical procedures. Hair transplants, in particular, have become a cornerstone of Turkey’s medical tourism, drawing thousands of patients from around the world.
How to choose a hair transplant clinic in Turkey?
The right choice of hair transplant clinic in Turkey will need some research into several factors. These include: Clinic Reputation: One of the most important things to consider is positive reviews from previous patients. Online forums and review sites can give insight into this area.