Due to their cost-effectiveness and high quality, medical treatments, like hair transplants, are increasingly being sought abroad.
However, there are plenty of options when it comes to finding the best country for a hair transplant.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the popular destinations for hair restoration surgery, as well as the pros and cons of each.
The Top 10 Best Countries For A Hair Transplant
Let’s compare the most popular destinations for hair transplantation using the health care index data from Numbeo and figures from Statista on hair transplant costs in selected countries.
United Kingdom
Health Care Index: 73.2
Hair Transplant Cost: £6,418.67
Within the UK, a high quality of health care is maintained by regulatory bodies like the General Medical Council, Care Quality Commission, Care Inspectorate, and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, among others.
Additionally, professional associations like The British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) ensure that practitioners adhere to certain standards. Therefore, it’s easy to find many qualified hair transplant surgeons in the UK.
However, there can be a substantial cost associated with the procedure, particularly in places such as London’s famed Harley Street, which boasts many high-end clinics that cater to celebrities.
- Strong healthcare regulations
- Qualified practitioners offering excellent outcomes
- No language barrier
- Aftercare near your home
- Surgery can be expensive
- Not all practitioners are highly skilled or qualified, so do your due diligence
Turkey
Health Care Index: 71.1
Hair Transplant Cost: £2,095.21
Crowned the world capital of hair transplants, Turkey is one of the best countries to undergo a hair transplant, both in terms of cost and quality.
In 2022 alone, a million people came to Turkey for hair transplants, spending a total of $2 billion on the surgery.
Among those who have flocked to Turkey, there are also celebrities, including the singer Akon and rapper Piagey Cakey.
Medical tourism in Turkey is also regulated, with clinics that offer such treatment required to be registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health.
Also, in the event that a medical practitioner is not employed by the government, membership of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) is mandatory. This helps ensure that patients will receive safe and quality healthcare.
The Health Tourism Department and state-owned healthcare company USHAS also run a 24/7 support hotline for international patients in order to help them.
On the flip side, however, unlicensed, unregistered and unqualified practices have also set up shop due to the Turkish medical tourism boom. Therefore, you have to be careful about avoiding a “hair mill” when getting a hair transplant in Turkey.
- Highly experienced, skilled and qualified practitioners
- Very cost-effective treatment plans (which are typically all-inclusive)
- High standards of healthcare and modern medical infrastructure
- Close to the UK and other European countries
- Presence of some unscrupulous hair transplant practices
- Aftercare services might not be available where you live
Did you know Longevita operates in both Turkey and the UK?
With Longevita’s services available in Istanbul and London, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will have in-person aftercare close to home, even if you choose to have your surgery in Turkey.
Additionally, you won’t need to worry about language barriers since a translator is included in your treatment plan.
United States
Health Care Index: 68.0
Hair Transplant Cost: £10,844.81
The US is also home to many qualified hair transplant doctors and state-of-the-art clinics where patients can get remarkable results.
However, as noted by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS), legally, anyone with a medical license can perform a hair transplant, so the skills of the surgeons can vary.
Nevertheless, ABHRS’ own seal of approval can help you narrow your search for the best hair transplant surgeon.
Even so, hair transplants can be extremely expensive in the United States, limiting their accessibility to many. This is especially true of upscale neighbourhoods like Beverly Hills.
- High quality of healthcare
- Experienced, skilled and qualified practitioners
- No issues in communication
- Surgery can be exorbitantly expensive
- Skill level of all the surgeons is not the same
- Flight times from the UK or elsewhere in Europe can be long
Canada
Health Care Index: 69.1
Hair Transplant Cost: £13,944.87
There are definitely some highly qualified hair transplant surgeons in Canada, especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Many practitioners offer follicular unit transplantation (FUT) in addition to the latest follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique.
However, the eye-watering price tag can keep many from having this surgery in their own country. The total cost of a hair transplant was the highest in Canada, according to data from Statista.
- Skilled and experienced practitioners
- State-of-the-art medical facilities
- English-speaking staff
- Surgery can be extremely pricey
- Very long flight time from the UK
Mexico
Health Care Index: 72.4
Hair Transplant Cost: £2,548.95
Tijuana and Cancun often pop up as destinations for hair transplants in Mexico.
While, undoubtedly, you can find well-trained hair transplant surgeons in the country, Mexico isn’t yet considered the ultimate destination for this procedure.
Some clinics in Mexico even advertise the involvement of Turkish doctors to attract patients for hair transplants.
Even so, Americans or Canadians may prefer Mexico due to its close proximity and short travel time.
- Availability of high-quality care
- Cheaper than the US, UK, and Canada
- Close to other North American countries
- Not many notable hair transplant surgeons
- Extremely long flight times from the UK
India
Health Care Index: 65.4
Hair Transplant Cost: £2,661.48
Hair transplants are also becoming increasingly popular in India, especially due to their affordability.
The country is also home to a number of world-renowned practitioners operating in advanced medical facilities with excellent patient outcomes.
While India has laws in place to ensure the safety of patients receiving healthcare services, the standards may not yet align fully with those of some Western countries.
Additionally, the hot weather might impede hair transplant recovery due to sweating, which can cause an infection.
- Cheaper than most Western countries, including the US, Canada and the UK
- Standards of healthcare may not be the same as those in some Western countries
- Hot weather can cause difficulties during recovery
- Aftercare services won't be nearby
- Long flight times from the UK, US and Canada
Spain
Health Care Index: 77.7
Interestingly, according to research by World Population Review, Spain has the highest percentage of males with pattern baldness. Almost 45% of its population is suffering from this problem.
Fortunately, this country is also a popular destination for a hair transplant because of its high quality of care (though interestingly, a Spanish film titled Por Los Pelos follows a group of friends who travel to Turkey for their hair transplants).
It is also quite convenient to travel to and from because of its geographic location.
However, the prices may be slightly higher there, and you might face a language barrier as only a small percentage (14.7%) of the population speaks English.
- Excellent standards of healthcare and good medical facilities
- Short flight time from the UK
- Hair transplant cost isn't always affordable
- Language barrier
Germany
Health Care Index: 72.0
Hair Transplant Cost: £5,803.35
Despite not being a hub for hair transplantation like Turkey, Germany still has quality clinics that you can choose from.
The cost of surgery here can, however, be one of the biggest downsides.
Compared to Turkey, you may need to spend twice as much in Germany to receive the same quality of hair transplant.
- High quality of healthcare
- Close to the UK
- Surgery can be expensive
- Not many widely renowned surgeons or practices within the country
Hungary
Health Care Index: 54.0
Hair Transplant Cost: £2,857.81
Despite not being the most popular destination for hair transplants, Hungary, especially Budapest, has slowly begun to enter the conversation.
Still, Hungary has the lowest health care index of any other country on this list. There are also not a lot of notable hair transplant surgeons who’re widely known for their results.
- Located close to the UK
- Surgery can be relatively affordable
- There are not many well-known surgeons or practices
- Language barrier
Thailand
Health Care Index: 77.2
Hair Transplant Cost: £4,499.74
Many medical tourists seek hair transplantation surgery in Thailand, especially in Bangkok. As a result of the high level of expertise and renown of many practitioners, people can achieve outstanding results.
However, besides the long flight times to Thailand (London to Bangkok flight time is more than 11 hours), the cost can also be an issue.
- Skilled and experienced practitioners
- High standards of healthcare
- Very long flight from the UK
- Hair transplant costs are higher than in some European countries
- Language barrier
Which Country Is The Best For A Hair Transplant?
Turkey may be more famous for hair transplants due to the quality and cost of the surgery, but there is no one “best” country for one since practices can vary greatly.
It is far more important to choose the right surgeon than the country where the surgery will be performed.
The best way to do that is to conduct your own research, such as analysing the surgeon’s work closely, checking their qualifications and credentials, and checking testimonials on third-party websites.
Interested In A Hair Transplant?
We at Longevita have over a decade of experience ensuring patient satisfaction. From initial consultation through aftercare, we provide complete support until you see the final results of your surgery. If you’re also interested in getting this procedure, get in touch with us!
