Gaze around Istanbul Airport and you are almost certain to spot a male traveler with a shaved head and a bandaged, bloody scalp. Some travel in groups or pairs, while others are alone. But theyve all trekked to Turkey in pursuit of one thing: hair.
Many Americans and medical tourists from other countries are today flocking to Istanbul, which has gained a reputation as a premier destination for hair transplantation and restoration. Generally, the process involves implanting healthy hair follicles into a patients scalp in bald areas and along a desired hairline, resulting in natural-looking results over time.
Turkey offers procedures that are also widely available in the U.S., but for a fraction of the price, according to patients who elected to undergo the surgery abroad. Many patients also attest to the high quality of care available in Turkey, including the deep bench of doctors experienced in this type of cosmetic operation.
“In this world, when someone does something better, people go there,” Dr. Serkan Aygin, an Istanbul-based hair transplant doctor, told CBS MoneyWatch. “We have a number of very good, very serious clinics in Turkey with deep backgrounds in hair transplantation.”
Turkey has become a popular medical tourism destination for hair transplants, with clinics in Istanbul offering the procedure at a fraction of the cost compared to the United States and Western Europe. The lower prices are certainly enticing, but is getting a hair transplant in Turkey actually safe? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the risks and benefits to help you make an informed decision.
Why Turkey is Popular for Hair Transplants
There are a few key reasons why Turkey has become such a hotspot for hair transplant tourism:
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Lower prices – In Turkey, hair transplants can cost as little as $1500 to $4,000. This is significantly cheaper than places like the US UK, or Australia, where you’d typically pay $10,000 to $30,000. For people wanting to restore their hair but facing budget constraints, Turkey’s prices are very appealing.
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Many clinics to choose from – Istanbul alone has over 350 hair restoration clinics, giving medical tourists plenty of options to research. Turkey is able to support so many clinics due to the high demand.
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Good marketing – Many Turkish clinics invest heavily in advertising and marketing to international patients. Their websites showcase state-of-the-art facilities, enthusiastic patient testimonials, and irresistible price points. This builds trust and draws patients in.
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Expertise and experience – There are close to 500 certified hair transplant surgeons in Turkey, with an average of 12 years experience each. The high volume of procedures has allowed Turkish doctors to hone their skills
Risks and Dangers of Hair Transplants in Turkey
While the low prices and doctor expertise are big advantages, there are also considerable risks to having a hair transplant done in Turkey. Patients must educate themselves on these dangers before proceeding:
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Unlicensed clinics – Many “black market” hair transplant clinics in Turkey are unlicensed and don’t adhere to proper safety standards. These fly-by-night operators conduct cheap procedures in non-sterile environments. This can lead to complications like infections and poor healing. Always check clinic licensing.
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Over-harvesting grafts – Some Turkish clinics try to maximize profits by over-harvesting hair grafts during the procedure. This can permanently damage the donor area and cause increased baldness over time as remaining hair is depleted.
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Inexperienced surgeons – Beware of clinics that outsource the actual surgery to inexperienced technicians rather than certified doctors The results will likely be unsuccessful,
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Lack of aftercare – Following up with your doctor and clinic after the transplant is crucial, but challenging when traveling abroad. Many complications arise during the healing process.
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Hairline problems – Turkish clinics have a reputation for botching the hairline design during transplants. An unnatural hairline is a dead giveaway the procedure was poorly executed.
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No legal recourse – If a clinic damages your scalp or disfigures you, it’s nearly impossible to take legal action in Turkey as a foreigner. Many troubled clinics simply close down and disappear.
Tips for a Safe Hair Transplant in Turkey
While risks certainly exist, it is possible to have a safe, successful hair transplant in Turkey if you take the right precautions:
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Verify surgeon qualifications – Don’t assume an impressive title means your surgeon is qualified. Check their training, board certifications, clinic licenses, and before/after photos thoroughly.
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Communicate clearly – Discuss your expectations, desired hairline, number of grafts needed, and post-op protocol. Don’t let language barriers obstruct this.
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Select an established clinic – Look for clinics with long histories, many reviews, and associations with international hair restoration societies. They have reputations to uphold.
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Ask about complications – Any reputable clinic will discuss the risks and what they’ll do if you have issues during or after the procedure. Beware if a clinic brushes this off.
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Schedule follow-ups – Plan at least 2-3 follow-up appointments with your clinic after returning home to identify any potential problems early. Check if virtual consultations are available if needed.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of a Hair Transplant in Turkey
To recap, here are the key pros and cons to weigh when considering a hair transplant in Turkey:
Pros:
- Lower cost
- Many clinics and experienced surgeons
- Can get procedures done quickly
- Good outcomes possible if clinic is reputable
Cons:
- Potentially dangerous medical tourism destination
- Risk of complications like infections, poor healing, unnatural hairlines
- Language barriers with doctors and staff
- Harder to follow up or take action if problems arise
The decision of whether or not to have a hair transplant in Turkey is a very personal one that depends on your specific circumstances, budget, and comfort level with risk. Do your due diligence in researching clinics, discussing details with doctors, and planning for follow-ups. For many, the reward of a restored hairline at an affordable price outweighs the risks. But for others, paying more locally for greater peace of mind may be the best choice. Evaluate your own situation carefully before getting surgery abroad.
turkey: 23
hair transplant: 18
clinic: 8
surgeon: 7
risk: 6
price: 5
Beware the black market
Turkey, as well as other countries, also have black-market clinics offering hair transplants. But physicians and organizations all warn patients to be leery of services offered at bargain-basement prices.
“Its like letting a medical assistant do a breast implant or face lift versus a doctors,” Ricardo Mejia, vice president of ISHRS told CBS MoneyWatch. “Its the same principal — the doctor is not to delegate surgical responsibilities to unlicensed medical assistants.”
Hes aware of a growing number of doctors who have taught technicians the follicular united extraction (FUE) hair transplantation technique. “They think if they have the technicians do it, it makes the doctor extra income. That has exploded into what we call the black market of non-doctors doing the surgery,” Mejia said.
Dr. Ozlem Bicer, an ISHRS member who operates a hair transplant clinic in Istanbul, advises patients to avoid unlicensed clinics not only because they can produce bad results, but because it is dangerous for patients to be given anesthesia without the supervision of a doctor.
“If the doctors preform the surgery, the price has no chance to be low. Patients should know that low cost means black market,” she said.
Bicer said she regularly treats patients who underwent surgeries at black market clinics, and whose donor areas, like the backs of their heads, became completely depleted or whose hairlines werent properly aligned. Corrections can end up costing twice or three times as much as the initial procedure, she said.
Bicer said the first questions medical tourists should ask about a hair transplant doctor or clinic are: “Who performs the surgery? Do they have a license?” Not, “How much does the procedure cost?”
“Here for the price”
Aaron Collins, 30, traveled from Chicago to Turkey in August for an appointment at Smile Hair Clinic, an Istanbul-based clinic led by two hair transplant surgeons — both members of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) — which is certified to treat international patients.
Turkey isnt the only country to welcome medical tourists on a budget seeking a variety of cosmetic procedures. And sometimes the results can be disastrous. More than 90 U.S. citizens died after traveling to the Dominican Republic for cosmetic surgery between 2009 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Collins chose Smile after researching hair restoration surgery online. His procedure, which cost $6,000, involved implanting 4,100 follicular unit grafts pulled from the back of his head to his scalp. Although he found lower-priced treatment, Collins said he wanted the entire procedure to be performed by, or under the supervision of, a licensed doctor.
“I really came here for the price. In Turkey, its probably one-third of what it costs in the U.S. — it can maybe get down to one-fifth. And I have heard that depending on where you go, the quality of the procedure itself is pretty equivalent,” he told CBS MoneyWatch.
Collins said technicians working under a surgeons supervision extracted follicles from the back of his head, called the donor area, and inserted them along his desired hairline. The surgeon performed all the incision work and determined the hairline — something he paid extra for but that he believes was worth the added cost.
“Its crazy enough to travel to another country,” he said.
Collins is one of many Americans who have traveled thousands of miles for a cosmetic procedure for a fraction of what a top-notch version of the same procedure would cost in the U.S. In 2023, more than 1.5 million tourists visited Turkey for medical procedures, spending roughly $3 billion, according to a state-owned health care company established by the countrys Ministry of Health to promote medical tourism.
In the U.S., a hair transplant costs an average of $7,500, according to the Foundation for Hair Restoration, a Miami-based hair transplant center. In Turkey, a typical hair transplant costs between $1,800 and $4,500, according to Istanbeautiful, an online guide to medical tourism.
To be sure, wherever a hair transplant is done, the cost will vary based on the number of grafts required in a procedure as well as a given doctors experience and reputation. By another measure, in 2021 the average cost of the procedure in the U.S. was $13,610, compared to $2,676 in Turkey, according to Statista. In markets like New York and Los Angeles, the price tag tends to be even higher, and can rise to $25,000.
Aygin said that of the roughly 20 hair transplants he performs on patients daily, as many as eight are from the U.S. But he treats patients from around the globe.
Recent hair transplant recipient Iyad Alieh, 28, said he recently traveled from Luxembourg to Aygins clinic at the recommendation of a friend. His procedure involved taking 5,000 grafts from his chest to restore his hairline. It cost him roughly $3,300, Alieh said.
Aygins clinic confirmed that it charges patients a flat fee of 3,000 euros (roughly $3,300) no matter how many grafts are required. Aygin said the equivalent procedure in the U.S., performed by a doctor with comparable experience, would cost $25,000.
“Its cheaper and better,” Alieh said, comparing his experience to that of a friend who had had similar work done in the United Kingdom at a cost of £12,000 ($15,300).
More men are heading to Turkey to cure their baldness, but is it safe?
FAQ
Is it safe to have hair transplants in Turkey?
The data suggest that Turkish clinics harvest more grafts than needed. More significant scarring is another risk if your surgeon is inexperienced or unlicensed. Getting a hair transplant in Turkey is the right choice for many people because they find licensed clinics with conscientious health and safety measures.
What went wrong with hair transplant in Turkey?
Hair transplants in Turkey can go wrong for several reasons: Unqualified clinics: Due to Turkey’s booming medical tourism industry, some unlicensed or unregulated clinics operate with inexperienced staff. They may lack the proper training, leading to poor results.
What is the success rate of hair transplant in Turkey?
- Clinic: The success rate varies by clinic and depends on the surgeon’s expertise and the quality of the hair follicles.
- Individual health: The health of the patient can affect the success rate.
- Technique: The technique used, such as FUE or FUT/Strip, can affect the success rate.
Is it better to get a hair transplant in the US or Turkey?
Turkey has emerged as a popular destination for hair transplant surgery, attracting patients from around the world. The country offers high-quality procedures at significantly lower costs compared to the USA.
Is it safe to travel to Turkey for hair transplant?
Yes, it is safe to Travel to Turkey for Hair Transplant. Ankara is safe and secure. We can confidently assure our patients that they should not be shy to come for the surgery at this point. Our hair transplant patients are still coming in from all over the world for the surgery; none of them has encountered any security issues or limitations.
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.
How to choose the best Turkey hair transplant clinic?
To choose the best hair transplant clinic in Turkey, consider these factors: Reputation: Check the clinic’s reputation by reading reviews, testimonials, and reference photos. Look for clinics with positive reviews and a high success rate.
Why should you visit Turkey for hair transplant?
One reason to visit Turkey for a hair transplant is the lower price compared to the US. Additionally, there are many skilled doctors and a wide range of treatments available.
How much does a hair transplant cost in Turkey?
The hair transplant industry in Turkey is extremely competitive. In order to attract medical tourists, most clinics charge between $1500-$4000. These low figures create a gap for unqualified and inexperienced providers to provide a “solution” – so do your homework on the competing companies carefully. Interesting statistics: 3.
Why is Turkish hair transplant so popular?
One of the reasons Why Turkish Hair Transplant is So Popular is that Turkey is seen as the place to find the best hair transplant surgery in the world. There are over 500 hair clinics in Istanbul alone and thousands of other hair transplant clinics in Turkey.