A great hair transplant result comes down to 12 measurable factors, from graft survival rate (90-95% is the benchmark) to natural hairline design and proper donor management. Patients who research clinics independently before booking have significantly lower revision rates, and this checklist gives you every criterion to evaluate.
Why You Need a Checklist Before Choosing a Clinic
Most patients focus on price and location when choosing a hair transplant clinic. Those two factors tell you almost nothing about the quality of your outcome. A structured checklist keeps your evaluation objective and prevents high-pressure sales consultations from clouding your judgment.
Use the myhairline.ai analyzer to determine your Norwood stage and estimated graft count before any consultation. Walking in with data puts you in control.
The 12-Point Quality Checklist
1. Surgeon Board Certification
The surgeon performing your procedure should hold certification from ABHRS, IBHRS, or an equivalent accreditation body. Board certification requires documented case logs, peer review, and ongoing education. This is non-negotiable.
2. Graft Survival Rate Above 90%
Reputable clinics achieve 90-95% graft survival with both FUE and FUT methods. Ask the clinic for their reported survival rate and how they measure it. If they cannot provide a number, consider it a warning sign.
3. Realistic Graft Estimates
Your graft count should align with established ranges based on your Norwood stage:
| Norwood Stage | Graft Range | Typical Cost (US) | 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 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 |
Any clinic quoting significantly outside these ranges deserves scrutiny.
4. Natural Hairline Design
A quality surgeon designs the hairline to match your facial proportions, age, and likely future loss pattern. Hairlines that look too straight, too low, or too dense for a patient's age will appear unnatural within years.
5. Donor Area Preservation
The safe extraction limit is approximately 45% of available donor follicles. Clinics that over-harvest the donor area create visible thinning that cannot be reversed. Ask how they calculate maximum extraction.
6. Consistent Before-and-After Documentation
Photos should show results at 12-18 months post-procedure using standardized angles and lighting. Request to see cases similar to your Norwood stage, hair type, and ethnicity, not just the clinic's best outcome.
7. Transparent Pricing Structure
The quote should itemize cost per graft, anesthesia fees, facility fees, and any post-operative care costs. In the US, expect $4-6 per graft for FUE and slightly less for FUT. In Turkey, expect $1-2 per graft.
8. Recovery Protocol Documentation
You should receive a written recovery plan covering day-by-day care instructions, medication schedules, activity restrictions, and expected timelines. FUE recovery is typically 7-10 days. FUT recovery runs 10-14 days.
9. Follow-Up Schedule
Quality clinics schedule follow-up appointments at one week, one month, three months, six months, and twelve months. Each visit should include photo documentation of your progress.
10. Revision Policy
Ask about the clinic's policy for touch-up procedures. Most reputable clinics offer revision surgery at a reduced rate if graft survival falls below their stated benchmarks within 12-18 months.
11. Team Experience and Consistency
The surgical team, including the technicians who sort and place grafts, should be full-time staff with years of experience. High turnover among technicians is a red flag, as graft handling directly affects survival rates.
12. Patient Communication and Expectations
The clinic should discuss what defines a great hair transplant result in detail during consultation, including limitations based on your donor supply, hair characteristics, and ongoing loss pattern.
How to Use This Checklist
Print or save this list and bring it to every consultation. Score each clinic on all 12 points. If a clinic scores poorly on more than two items, continue your search. If you notice any clinic red flags to watch for, walk away regardless of price.
Red Flags That Override Everything
No matter how well a clinic scores on the checklist above, these issues should disqualify them immediately:
- Surgeon will not meet you before surgery day
- Clinic pressures you to book within 24 hours
- No verifiable patient reviews on independent platforms
- Quotes that seem dramatically lower than market rates
- Claims of 100% graft survival or guaranteed density
Get Your Baseline Assessment
Before consulting any clinic, know your starting point. Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to get your Norwood classification, estimated graft count, and personalized treatment options. This data makes you a more informed patient and helps you ask better questions during consultations.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified hair restoration surgeon for personalized diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
FAQ
How do I find a reputable hair transplant clinic?
Start by verifying the surgeon holds board certification in dermatology or plastic surgery. Check that the clinic publishes verifiable before-and-after photos with consistent lighting and angles. Request patient references and confirm the clinic performs at least 200 procedures annually.
What credentials should a hair transplant surgeon have?
Look for board certification from ABHRS (American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery) or equivalent national body. The surgeon should have at least five years of dedicated hair restoration experience and active membership in ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery).
How do I know if before/after photos are real?
Authentic photos use the same lighting, camera distance, and head angle in both images. Look for consistent backgrounds and no visible editing artifacts. Reputable clinics show multiple patients at various Norwood stages rather than only their best single case.