Hair transplant procedures are no longer reserved for the rich and famous. There’s been a rise of 152% in the number of hair transplant operations being performed globally over the last 12 years [1]. With affordable hair restoration clinics now operating all over the world, many people get a hair transplant abroad to save money on their surgery.
So what is the best country for hair transplant surgery? In this article, you’ll find out:
International travel is less expensive and easier than ever. So it’s often cheaper (in the short-term, at least) to have cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures abroad.
Medical tourism has given more people access to cut-rate hair transplant procedures. And while there are some good hair transplant clinics in Turkey, Hungary, and Mexico, these countries don’t rank in the top 10 (or even the top 20) for medical tourism destinations [2].
Clinics in these countries don’t reliably adhere to mandated safety standards. Ricardo Mejia, MD, reports that refugees and taxi drivers are performing surgeries in black-market clinics around the world [3].
Lack of safety standards heightens the risk of all kinds of hair transplant side effects and complications, including failed hair transplants, hair transplant infections, and follicle overharvesting. So it’s best avoided at all costs.
Plus, cheap hair transplants can cost you more in the long-term. Almost all International Hair Restoration Society (ISHRS) members report that at least 25% of the hair transplant procedures they perform are due to black-market hair transplant repairs [1]. So you also increase the likelihood of paying for more than one hair transplant.
If you are looking for the best hair transplant you can get, then you’ll need to find a reputable clinic. High-quality clinics should have the following 5 traits in common:
So where are you most likely to find the best clinics for hair restoration that meet all these criteria? Check out our list of the best countries for hair transplant surgery below.
The UK is home to Harley Street, London, which is where you’ll find some of the best hair transplant surgeons in the world, let alone the UK. That’s why travelling to the UK for a hair transplant is so popular.
If you’re based in the UK, it’s more affordable than you might think to get a hair transplant. According to our research into UK hair transplant costs, the average cost of a hair transplant in the UK is £4,820. So while you may have heard rumours that Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant topped £30,000, it’s not necessary to pay that much for a hair transplant opeartion in the UK. Rob Holding’s hair transplant cost a fraction of this at the Wimpole Clinic.
It’s also easy to return to your clinic in case of any complications after your hair transplant procedure. Aftercare is a key part of hair transplant recovery, so it’s important you have the right support after your procedure.
Pros:
Cons:
Spain is at the top of the list of European countries on the Medical Tourism Index to get a hair transplant. With several cheap flights heading from the UK to Spain every day, it’s a relatively convenient destination for a hair transplant procedure.
While you’ll have to pay for travel expenses and accommodation, you’ll be in safe hands. Many Spanish hair transplant surgeons have excellent success rates and safety records.
Germany is only ranked 12th on the Medical Tourism Index however its proximity to the UK lands it highly on our list. It’s easy to travel to and has extremely high safety standards, as well as dozens of reputable clinics.
That said, you won’t save much on a German hair transplant compared with the UK, and you’ll have to pay for travel expenses and accommodation on top of your procedure costs. So it’s unlikely to be a cost-effective move.
Most of the US’s popularity as a hair transplant destination stems from Beverly Hills, the home of the Hollywood elite. Beverly Hills is the Harley Street of California, so it’s a base for many highly skilled surgeons. Elon Musk’s hair transplant is said to have been performed in LA.
Hair transplants in Los Angeles are extremely popular with US residents and international patients alike. Unfortunately, not all states and cities offer the same quality. In fact, in some states, physicians can delegate surgical responsibilities to nurses and technicians [4]. So there’s a lot of difference in hair transplant quality around the US.
As the UK’s nearest continental neighbour, France is arguably the second easiest country to get hair transplant surgery (after the UK, of course). It also ranks at #11 on the Medical Tourism Index.
While you might encounter language barriers here (and you’re unlikely to find hair transplant surgery cheaper than in the UK), France has an excellent safety record, highly qualified surgeons, and it’s just a quick hop across the pond for a check-up.
Canada is hardly the most convenient place to head for a hair transplant from the UK, however, it tops the Medical Tourism Index. Therefore, it’s definitely worth considering if you want the best possible hair transplant experience abroad.
Canada is very accessible for US patients looking for the best countries for hair transplant operations. So while it’s not ideal for UK patients, US patients may benefit from safer, more successful hair transplants by taking a trip north of the border.
Prague is another easy-reach destination from the UK. Hair transplantation surgeries in the Czech Republic tend to be cheaper than many of the other destinations on this list, so if you’re on a tighter budget, it may be one to consider.
Unlike Turkey, the Czech Republic features on the Medical Tourism Index at #15, so there are a high proportion of safe, reliable clinics. Unfortunately, there are also too-good-to-be-true deals on offer here, so you’ll need to do your research carefully to ensure your hair transplant is a success.
At #2 on the Medical Tourism Index, Singapore is definitely worth considering as a hair transplant destination if money is no object. It’s quickly become the go-to hub in Asia and Australia for quality healthcare and cosmetic procedures.
However, Singapore is among the most expensive countries in the world to visit, so if you’re on a shoestring budget, this isn’t the best country to get a hair transplant for you.
Israel is at the cutting edge of hair loss research [6]. They also have strict regulations around who’s allowed to perform hair transplant surgeries, so you’re less likely to fall foul of inexperienced surgeons and black market clinics [4].
That said, it’s not cheap to get a hair transplant in Israel and other countries are closer and more convenient to reach for UK hair transplant patients. There are also some travel safety concerns in certain regions, which may cause disruption to your trip.
At #10, India ranks higher on the Medical Tourism Index than some European countries, including Italy, France, and Germany. So it’s certainly a hair transplant destination to consider if you want to pay less for your hair transplant.
However, you’ll also need to factor in travel costs. While accommodation and living expenses are cheaper in India, flights are usually more expensive. Certain hygiene practices have also been found to be lower in medical settings in India [8]. So it’s essential to read hair transplant clinic reviews to be certain you’re working with a safe clinic.
According to researchers, the advent of the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) technique has led to hair transplant surgery being underestimated by certain medical professionals [4]. Underqualified and inexperienced practitioners like dentists, alternative medicine doctors, and technicians are performing procedures. More than half of ISHRS members report that there are black market clinics operating in their city [1].
Finding an excellent clinic isn’t easy, no matter which country you choose. Here are our top tips for finding the best hair transplant clinic in your country:
Getting hair restoration surgery in your country of residence saves a ton of hassle. Book a free consultation at the Wimpole Clinic in London where you can ask our hair loss specialists any questions you really want to ask about hair transplant surgery and see how we can help you get a fantastic hair transplant right here in the UK.
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