The dangers of hair transplant tourism

Hair transplant tourism is on the rise — but it comes with risks

About 1 million people traveled to Turkey to get a hair transplant in 2022, according to head of the Turkish Health Tourism Association. The growing popularity of hair transplant tourism can be attributed mainly to cost-effectiveness.

“The driving factors behind the growth of hair transplant tourism, mainly to Turkey, are low-priced procedures and a lack of education about what a successful hair transplant actually entails. The cost for transplants abroad can be 75% less or more compared to qualified doctors here in the US,” he says. Dr. Alan J. Baumanfounder, CEO and medical director at Bauman Medical Hair Transplant & Hair Loss Treatment Center.

This significant price difference can make the procedure affordable to people who would not be able to afford it at home. It’s tempting, but at what cost? When treatments like hair transplants become more popular, it makes them seem like no big deal. In reality, a lot can go wrong.

“I have seen most (if not all) of what can go wrong with a poorly planned, poorly executed hair transplant procedure. I can also say, unfortunately, the demand for proofreading, repair and processing work has never been higher,” says Bauman.

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“Despite many of the incredible advances in minimally invasive hair transplant procedures worldwide, the amount of irreparable scalp damage I was asked to assess and treat was surprising and at times overwhelming,” says Bauman. Not to mention life-threatening risks like emergency anesthesia-related complications.

Here’s what you need to consider to make an informed decision about hair transplant abroad.

Standards of care may vary

First, standards of care can vary from country to country. What gives you confidence that you are in good hands? For example, in the US, you can look for board-certified surgeons. “When surgeons sit for board certification with the ABHRS American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery written and oral exams, the goal is to set a high bar for ‘safe and esthetic’ surgeries,” says Bauman.

According Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, plastic surgeon, general surgeon and hair transplant specialist, potential complications to consider include improper hygiene practices, untrained staff and limited access to advanced medical equipment in some clinics. This can lead to infections, scarring and other more serious problems.

Additionally, a misdiagnosis of the cause of hair loss can lead to a failed procedure, Bauman warns. While hair loss is often hereditary, there are hundreds of other conditions that can lead to it. “Misdiagnosis, a missed diagnosis or failure to recognize an underlying condition, is a serious problem for the untrained and inexperienced surgeon and his patient,” according to Bauman.

Finally, keep in mind that a highly trained surgeon will have good aesthetic judgment and carefully plan your hairline based on your facial frame, adds Bauman. They will look at the size of the grafts as well as the angle, orientation and position of each graft. They will use proper graft handling technique—grafts are extremely fragile—and be careful not to overharvest the follicles of hair being implanted, as it is in limited supply.

A successful hair transplant requires so much expertise and attention to detail. That’s not to say there aren’t talented, experienced surgeons overseas, but that it’s critical to shop around and understand what the process entails.

Postoperative care is vital

Post-operative care is also crucial for a successful hair transplant procedure. While recovery is usually comfortable and relatively quick, Bauman notes that implanted grafts remain fragile for several days and could dislodge, requiring immediate attention.

The most common cause of graft failure is damage to the area three days after the procedure. If this happens, the grafts must be replaced immediately to survive. As Bauman puts it, “that kind of care would be hard to come by if you’re already on a long international flight home.”

Severe or prolonged swelling, bruising, or pain after the procedure may indicate a possible infection, which requires extra care and treatment. In addition, monitoring your hair growth after the procedure and dealing with common issues such as “prolonged numbness, dryness, itching, irritation, and proper handling of ingrown hairs” are also important to the success of the procedure, adds Bauman.

Chekuri agrees: “The success of a hair transplant is highly dependent on proper post-operative care. Access to qualified professionals and readily available care in the home country is essential.” In other words, you should make sure you have access to ongoing care once you return home.

Communication Barriers and Limited Legal Recourse

If you are considering hair transplant tourism, keep in mind that there are sometimes potential communication barriers during consultations, says Chekuri: “Language barriers and unclear communication can lead to misunderstandings about the desired results, resulting in dissatisfaction with the final [result].” Make sure expectations are clearly communicated and understood.

What if you are unhappy with the results or experience complications? “Legal action against foreign clinics in case of complications or dissatisfaction can be difficult and expensive,” adds Tsekouri. Plus, if something goes awry, you could be looking at unforeseen expenses like additional travel expenses and medications. Read the fine print of your travel insurance policy.

Hair transplant tourism may end up being a ‘quick fix’

Hair transplant tourism can unfortunately end up being a “quick fix” that does not lead to long-term satisfaction. “Ignoring the progressive nature of hair loss in non-transplanted hair is a common oversight when it comes to hair transplant clinics that focus only on the procedures, but not on the ongoing care of their patients,” says Bauman.

That’s right — to maximize your results, you’ll need to take precautions with the rest of your hair. If your hair transplant consultation did not include “an in-depth discussion about non-invasive hair retention and hair regeneration”, you should probably reconsider your decision.

Consider this: In an at-home clinic, your doctor would likely recommend treatments to preserve untransplanted hair, which would require regular in-person visits—up to four times a year, according to Bauman.

What appears to be the best bang for your buck can translate into frustration, unfortunate complications, and more time and money in the long run. Before embarking on a hair transplant tourism trip in an attempt to save money, carefully weigh the risks listed above.

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