Choosing a hair transplant clinic raises dozens of questions. Below are direct answers to the most commonly asked questions patients have before booking a consultation or procedure.
What Should I Look for in a Hair Transplant Clinic?
The five most important factors are surgeon credentials, graft survival rates, patient reviews on independent platforms, transparent pricing, and a structured aftercare plan. A clinic that excels in all five areas is more likely to deliver consistent results. Use our complete clinic selection checklist for a detailed evaluation framework.
How Many Consultations Should I Get Before Deciding?
Consult at least three clinics. This gives you comparison data on graft estimates, pricing, technique recommendations, and communication quality. If all three clinics provide similar graft estimates for your Norwood stage, that builds confidence in the recommendation. If one clinic's estimate is significantly different, investigate why.
How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost?
Costs vary by region and procedure type. Here are 2026 FUE per-graft rates:
| Region | Cost Per Graft |
|---|---|
| USA | $4-$6 |
| UK | $3-$5 |
| Europe | $2.50-$4.50 |
| Turkey | $1-$2 |
| India | $0.50-$1.50 |
Your total cost depends on how many grafts you need. A Norwood 3 requiring 1,500-2,200 grafts would cost $6,000-$13,200 in the USA or $1,500-$4,400 in Turkey. See our detailed clinic cost comparison guide for a full breakdown.
How Do I Know How Many Grafts I Need?
Graft requirements are determined by your Norwood stage:
| Norwood Stage | Grafts Needed |
|---|---|
| Norwood 2 | 800-1,500 |
| Norwood 3 | 1,500-2,200 |
| Norwood 3V | 2,000-2,800 |
| Norwood 4 | 2,500-3,500 |
| Norwood 5 | 3,000-4,500 |
| Norwood 6 | 4,000-6,000 |
| Norwood 7 | 5,500-7,500 |
Get your personalized assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze to determine your stage and estimated graft count before consulting clinics.
Should I Choose a Clinic Based on Price?
Price should be one factor, not the only factor. A $3,000 procedure with 75% graft survival yields 2,250 surviving grafts from 3,000 extracted. A $6,000 procedure with 95% survival yields 2,850 surviving grafts. The more expensive option delivers 600 additional surviving grafts and may prevent the need for a costly revision.
Calculate cost per surviving graft rather than cost per extracted graft to compare value accurately.
What Is the Difference Between FUE, FUT, and DHI?
| Feature | FUE | FUT | DHI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Individual extraction | Strip removal | Choi implanter pen |
| Scarring | Small dots (0.7-1.0mm) | Linear scar | Minimal dots |
| Recovery | 7-10 days | 10-14 days | 7-10 days |
| Max grafts/session | 5,000 | 4,000 | 3,500 |
| Graft survival | 90-95% | 90-95% | 90-95% |
| Donor shaving | Yes | No | Partial or none |
All three techniques achieve similar graft survival rates when performed by experienced surgeons. The best technique for you depends on your graft needs, donor area characteristics, and preference regarding scarring and recovery time.
How Long Is Recovery After a Hair Transplant?
FUE and DHI recovery takes 7-10 days for initial healing. FUT recovery takes 10-14 days. Most patients return to office work within 7-10 days. Full results are visible at 12-18 months post-procedure.
Key recovery milestones:
- Days 1-3: Swelling and tenderness in donor and recipient areas
- Days 4-7: Scabbing forms and begins to shed
- Days 7-14: Most visible healing is complete
- Weeks 2-4: Transplanted hairs shed (this is normal)
- Months 3-6: New growth begins
- Months 6-12: Density increases progressively
- Month 12-18: Final results visible
Is Medical Tourism Safe for Hair Transplants?
Medical tourism can be safe if you choose the right clinic. Turkey, India, Thailand, and South Korea all have clinics with surgeon credentials, facility standards, and outcomes that match or exceed those in Western countries. The key is evaluating the specific clinic and surgeon, not judging by country alone.
Risks specific to medical tourism include limited follow-up access, language barriers, and difficulty seeking recourse if results are unsatisfactory. Factor in travel costs and the need for rest during recovery when planning an international procedure.
What Questions Should I Ask During a Consultation?
Ask these questions at every consultation:
- What is your board certification and how long have you focused on hair restoration?
- How many procedures do you perform per year, and how many will you personally be involved in?
- What graft count do you recommend for my case, and why?
- What technique do you recommend, and what are the alternatives?
- What is your graft survival rate?
- Can I see results from patients with similar hair loss to mine?
- What does your aftercare plan include?
- What is your revision policy if results are below expectations?
- Who else will be involved in my procedure (technicians, other surgeons)?
- Can I get an itemized cost breakdown?
Can Medications Replace a Hair Transplant?
For some patients, yes. Finasteride halts further hair loss in 80-90% of users and produces regrowth in about 65%. Side effects occur in 2-4% of users and are reversible upon stopping the medication. Minoxidil produces moderate regrowth in 40-60% of users when applied twice daily.
Medications work best for early-stage hair loss (Norwood 2-3). For Norwood 4 and above, a transplant combined with medication typically produces the best long-term results.
Key Takeaways
- Consult at least three clinics and compare graft estimates, pricing, and aftercare
- Verify surgeon credentials through official databases, not clinic marketing
- Know your Norwood stage and expected graft count before any consultation
- Compare cost per surviving graft, not just total price
- FUE, FUT, and DHI all achieve 90-95% graft survival when performed by experienced surgeons
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration surgeon for personalized recommendations.