Considering having a hair transplant in Turkey? Let’s look at the pros and cons of ‘Tourism Transplants’

Hair transplant tourism, particularly to Turkey, is on the rise. In this article, we discuss what to look out for when travelling to Turkey for a transplant, understanding the risks involved and what you should be aware of to maximise chances of safe and successful surgery.

Why do people go to Turkey for hair transplants?

The primary reason why so many people fly to Turkey to undergo hair transplants appears to be the cost.While these trips are being taken under the banner of medical tourism, a lack of regulation and misleading information about technology mean that a decision to undergo a hair transplant in a country such as Turkey should not be taken lightly.Along with the benefits, we’ll weigh up the potential problems and risks, and ask what you should consider before committing to a hair transplant.We’ll also contrast the option of a hair transplant in Turkey with having the procedure carried out in the UK.The apparent savings on offer in Turkey means that it can be easy to focus on price and ignore other factors.The country’s hair treatment industry is worth close to £1 billion, and medical tourism is on the rise, with a recent report estimating the market to be valued at £8.5 Billion with a predicted annual growth of 12.1% between 2022 and 2027.Istanbul Turkey

The Benefits

Whilst there are undoubtedly some good, ethical surgeons in Turkey, it’s hard to identify who those might be as the industry is largely unregulated.For those of you who endure a colder climate, Turkey offers an attractive destination with the promise of warmer weather, whilst at the same time getting the head of hair of your dreams.Initially prices seem to be lower than that of a hair transplant in the UK with the added benefit of a five star hotel and some sunshine thrown in.But is it better or safe?What are the drawbacks of getting a hair transplant in Turkey?The first issue to flag up is REGULATION

Unqualified hair transplant surgeons

There are many hair transplant clinics in Turkey which are not regulated to the same standards as in the UK.As the medical tourism industry has grown, a number of unlicenced, untrained operators have seen an opportunity to make money, and non-medically trained people are performing hair transplants on unsuspecting patients.The industry as a whole is largely unregulated, leading to hair transplant surgeons that are unqualified and lack the experience necessary to provide a safe and high-quality hair transplant.You also face the possibility of being given misleading or false information.Some clinics may make spurious claims about new technology, and advertisements such as this are common

• 2000-4000 graft one session, (so called “giga-sessions”)
• 5 star hotel stay, airfare and airport transfers
• A “Guarantee Certificate”
• Gimmick technology concepts like “Sapphire technology” or “Ice technology”
• A meaningless “Certificate of Quality”

The Downsides

These include:

1. Clinics that are not certified or inspected by a government healthcare body
2. The possibility of your surgery being carried out by an unqualified person.
3. A Lack of qualified staff, no in-person consultation, and a higher risk of side effects.
4. Aftercare or follow-ups may not be provided.
5. Some clinics still using older techniques which can lead to visible scarring if not carried out correctly.

• Higher incidence of side effects
• High risk of surgical complications
• Sub-standard hair transplants that may have to be corrected
• No recourse for the patient to report any negligent surgeons and clinics to (e.g., the CQC and General Medical Council (GMC)

Hair Transplant Regulations in Turkey

As we’ve already pointed out, regulation is one of the main concerns with getting a hair transplant in Turkey.Hair transplants are not as regulated in Turkey as they are in the UK, therefore unlicensed surgeons or even those with no medical qualification are operating unchecked.

This can cause a serious risk to a patient’s health.

In the UK, clinics must be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure safe and quality care is given.In Turkey, it can be very difficult to ascertain whether a clinic is regulated or not and therefore it is harder to find the trustworthy information you need when researching your hair transplant options. 

Aftercare and follow-ups after a hair transplant in Turkey

Many clinics in Turkey do not offer hair transplant aftercare or follow-up appointments to check on the progress and the overall well-being of their patient.Often the aftercare consists of a treatment pack of creams and sprays and access to an APP or chatbot!This can lead to serious complications, especially if something goes wrong during the recovery process. Aftercare is vitally important to ensure you transplant in the right way and get the very best results.Reputable clinics in the UK, will offer this as part of their hair transplant package.You should ensure a clinic offers aftercare before choosing them for a hair transplant.

Long-term results after a hair transplant in Turkey

Travelling to Turkey for your treatment may seem appealing with lower costs and the chance to take advantage of a short break in the sun, but is it better in the long run?Ultimately, a hair transplant is a surgical procedure that requires an expert level of care, which can be hard to guarantee abroad.Unlicensed and unregulated clinics can carry out surgery using outdated technology and poor hair transplant methods. This presents the risk of techniques which aren’t advanced enough to get the best results. Many clinics provide follicular unit extraction (FUE)  but don’t apply correct surgical planning and finesse to achieve a natural result. This can lead to visible scarring and longer recovery times with higher health risks. The best hair transplant clinics will ensure you have enough coverage to cover your scalp as your hair continues to recede. It’s also important to leave enough donor hair if there is the possibility that a further transplant will be needed.

5 tips to help identify unsafe clinics

1. Avoid clinics that offer scarless surgery as this is not possible. There will always be some level of scarring even if it is well disguised.
2. Avoid clinics that offer pain freesurgery as this is very unlikely to be the case. Ask for clarification on how the scalp is numbed for surgery.
3. Avoid clinics that offer maximum, unlimitedor exaggerated grafts numbers, as taking such large graft numbers in one surgery carries significant risk.
4. Question clinics that offer hair transplants as part of a package with other cosmetic procedures such as ‘teeth whitening.’ What do they actually specialise in?
5. Be Cautious with clinics who offer ‘special techniques’to market their procedure. Find out how such techniques would result in a better outcome

10 tips for safeguarding yourself if you are considering surgery in Turkey

1. Ask if you will meet your hair transplant surgeon prior to the day of surgery and prior to any exchange of payment.
2. Find out who the surgeon is, what their qualifications and experience are and where you can verify this.
3. Ask who will be in charge of the procedure and make sure you know which parts of the surgery will be done by a qualified surgeon and which by a non-doctor.
4. Is the clinic registered with a health care authority?
5. What language will the doctors, nurses and other health workers involved in your care use and what language will your medical notes be in?
6. If a holiday ‘package’ is included in the price are there any hidden costs associated with this?
7. How would the clinic deal with an emergency if serious complications were to arise during the procedure?
8. Does the doctor, clinic or hospital have insurance that covers your procedure?
9. How long will you need to stay abroad before you are well enough to travel back to the UK?
10. Who can you contact for advice once you are back in the UK and will follow up checks be offered in the UK?

These are questions that any reputable company will be able to answer to prove that they are qualified and safe.

Hair transplants in the UK

Although Turkey is a popular choice for a hair transplant, and some clinics in the country can provide excellent results, you still need to consider everything before you opt for treatment.Carry out extensive research on the clinic before choosing them. Ensure you look into the surgeon’s credentials, note the treatments the clinic offers, and read their patient reviews.The benefits, both initial and long term of choosing a UK hair transplant clinic over a Turkish one, should. not be ignored. With a little extra investment, you can put your hair in the very best hands, giving yourself peace of mind and cutting down travel time.

Conclusion

Hair transplants are a safe surgical procedure which, if carried out by a competent surgeon, will achieve a successful outcome.Transplant tourism is on the rise, but it is largely unregulated in some countries so extreme caution should be taken before embarking on any procedure.There are many websites where you can find information about clinics but always double check their claims, read reviews and ask relevant questions – do your homework!UK Surgeons are highly qualified and are strictly regulated by governed medical authorities. The cost of a hair transplant in the UK is higher than that of a Turkish procedure, but the standard of work and the aftercare is recognised to be better.If you have any doubts about the procedure or the competence of your surgeon, do not go ahead. Sources:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-27/how-istanbul-became-a-global-destination-for-male-hair-transplants