Verifying a hair transplant clinic's accreditation takes less than an hour but can save you thousands of dollars and months of regret. This step-by-step action plan walks you through every check you should perform before booking a procedure.
Step 1: Establish Your Baseline
Before evaluating any clinic, you need to know your own numbers. Understanding your Norwood stage and approximate graft needs gives you the data to judge whether a clinic's recommendations are accurate.
Get an Independent Assessment
Use the free AI tool at myhairline.ai/analyze to determine your Norwood stage. The tool uses 468 MediaPipe facial landmarks to map your hairline objectively.
Know Your Expected Graft Range
| Norwood Stage | Grafts Needed | Typical Cost (USA) | Typical Cost (Turkey) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwood 2 | 800-1,500 | $3,200-$9,000 | $800-$3,000 |
| Norwood 3 | 1,500-2,200 | $6,000-$13,200 | $1,500-$4,400 |
| Norwood 3V | 2,000-2,800 | $8,000-$16,800 | $2,000-$5,600 |
| Norwood 4 | 2,500-3,500 | $10,000-$21,000 | $2,500-$7,000 |
| Norwood 5 | 3,000-4,500 | $12,000-$27,000 | $3,000-$9,000 |
| Norwood 6 | 4,000-6,000 | $16,000-$36,000 | $4,000-$12,000 |
| Norwood 7 | 5,500-7,500 | $22,000-$45,000 | $5,500-$15,000 |
Write down your stage and expected graft range. You will compare every clinic's quote against these numbers.
Step 2: Verify Surgeon Credentials
This is the most important step. The person performing your surgery determines your outcome more than any other factor.
Credential Checklist
Check each item for every surgeon you consider:
- Medical degree from an accredited institution
- Board certification in dermatology, plastic surgery, or otolaryngology
- ISHRS membership (verify at ishrs.org member directory)
- ABHRS certification (verify at abhrs.org diplomate directory)
- State/country medical license (verify through the relevant medical board)
- Minimum 5 years performing hair transplants specifically
- Minimum 200 procedures performed annually
How to Verify Online
- Visit the ISHRS member directory at ishrs.org and search for the surgeon by name
- Check the ABHRS diplomate list at abhrs.org
- Search your state medical board website for any disciplinary actions
- Look for the surgeon on Realself, HairRestorationNetwork, or similar independent review platforms
Step 3: Check Facility Accreditation
The clinic itself needs proper certification, separate from the surgeon's personal credentials.
Key Facility Accreditations
| Accreditation Body | What It Covers | Where It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| JCI (Joint Commission International) | Patient safety, infection control, governance | Global |
| AAAHC | Ambulatory surgical center standards | USA |
| CQC | Care quality standards | UK |
| TUV / ISO 9001 | Quality management systems | Europe, Turkey |
| NABH | Hospital quality standards | India |
Verification Steps
- Ask the clinic for their accreditation certificate number
- Visit the accrediting body's website and search for the clinic
- Confirm the accreditation is current (not expired)
- Check if any conditions or restrictions apply
Step 4: Evaluate the Consultation Process
How a clinic handles your initial consultation reveals how they will handle your surgery.
What a Good Consultation Includes
- Physical examination of the donor area density and scalp laxity
- Norwood staging with explanation of your specific pattern
- Graft count estimate with reasoning for the number
- Technique recommendation (FUE, FUT, or DHI) tailored to your case
- Realistic timeline (FUE recovery is 7 to 10 days, full results take 12 to 18 months)
- Honest discussion of what is and is not achievable given your donor supply
Red Flags During Consultation
If any of these occur, move on to another clinic. Read about more warning signs to watch for in clinics.
- The surgeon does not perform the consultation personally
- No physical examination of your scalp takes place
- The graft count is decided without measuring the donor area
- You are told results are guaranteed
- You are pressured to book and pay the same day
Step 5: Review Before/After Evidence
A clinic's results portfolio tells you what to expect from your own procedure.
What to Look For
- Consistent photography: Same lighting, angles, and distance in before and after shots
- Multiple time points: Results at 3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure
- Similar cases to yours: Patients with the same Norwood stage and hair type
- Full donor area photos: Showing the donor site recovery, not just the recipient zone
- Volume of examples: At least 20 to 30 cases for the technique you are considering
Where to Find Independent Results
- HairRestorationNetwork forum patient journals
- Realself reviews with verified photos
- Reddit r/HairTransplants user posts
- Clinic-specific review threads on Trustpilot or Google Reviews
Step 6: Compare Quotes and Terms
With your baseline numbers and verified credentials in hand, compare at least two clinics.
Quote Comparison Template
| Factor | Clinic A | Clinic B |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon name and credentials | ||
| Technique | ||
| Graft count | ||
| Cost per graft | ||
| Total cost | ||
| Post-op care included | ||
| Follow-up appointments | ||
| Revision policy |
If the graft counts or prices vary by more than 20%, consider a third opinion. Learn when to get a second opinion for specific guidance on resolving conflicting recommendations.
Step 7: Confirm Post-Op Support
Your clinic relationship does not end on surgery day. FUE graft survival rate is 90-95%, but only with proper aftercare.
Post-Op Essentials to Confirm
- Written aftercare instructions provided before surgery
- Direct phone or email access to the surgeon for the first two weeks
- Scheduled follow-up appointments at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months
- Clear policy on what happens if growth is below expectations
- Medication guidance (finasteride halts further loss in 80-90% of patients, minoxidil supports 40-60% regrowth)
Your Action Plan Summary
- Get your Norwood stage at myhairline.ai/analyze
- Verify surgeon credentials through ISHRS and ABHRS directories
- Confirm facility accreditation is current
- Attend at least two consultations with different clinics
- Compare quotes against published graft and cost ranges
- Confirm post-operative support is included and documented
- Take your time with the decision; no legitimate clinic will rush you
Start with step one. Get your free AI hair loss assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze to establish your baseline before contacting any clinic.
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.