How to Avoid Hair Transplant Scams: Red Flags to Watch Out For

A receding hairline or thinning hair has become a common concern for the modern-day man. But unlike generations that came before, options to rectify hair loss have become plentiful. Hair transplants have become a lot more attainable from a financial perspective, and many males head to countries like Turkey for more affordable hair transplants. But with more options comes more risk, and scams relating to hair transplants are on the rise. In this article, we’ve highlighted a few red flags to watch out for before committing to that life-changing transplant.

If The Price Seems Too Good To Be True

Hair transplants used to be reserved for the wealthy, but as already mentioned this is no longer the case. Turkey, Thailand and Mexico are all examples of nations that have carved out reputations for providing affordable yet reliable hair transplants along with other treatments from veneers to breast augmentation. Despite this, a quality hair transplant will most likely cost you at least $2,000. Be wary of any clinic that is offering procedures far below this price. As the old saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

If you do come across a clinic or surgery offering hair transplants at extremely low prices, do your due diligence by checking to see if you can spot any of the other red flags listed throughout this article.

A Lack Of Case Studies (or legitimate ones!)

One easy way to spot a scamming surgery is by judging them on the quantity and quality of their case studies and reviews. A respected, experienced surgeon will have an abundance of happy clients backing up their skills and this is the best way to verify a surgeon.

However, be aware that fake reviews are a common tactic of surgeons who are out to scam you. Be cautious if all reviews are glowing five-star reviews, or if they seem to be written in the same tone; this may be a sign of artificial reviews that haven’t been left by past clients.

Sales Promos

It’s not common practice for any form of surgery or aesthetic procedure to offer sales promotions. Things like ‘buy one, get one free’ or black friday offers can be seen in retail and hospitality, but you shouldn’t expect to see such tactics in the world of surgery.

These types of tactics often push consumers to make a purchase, and encouraging individuals to undergo surgery is generally seen as unethical by most people. A qualified, legitimate surgeon will respect that undergoing surgery is an individual’s choice, and no added pressure is required.

Unrealistic Claims

While most surgeons will claim that they can achieve your desired outcome in terms of changes to your appearance, no surgery comes without risk, and most surgeons will accept this. Surgeons who claim that there is zero risk should be avoided as this simply isn’t true.

When it comes to hair transplants, other unrealistic claims include things like a 100% full head of hair or a full head of hair in under three months. Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to surgical procedures, so any claims like these are often a sign that something isn’t quite right.

Lack Of Qualifications

If you do have concerns about the legitimacy of a surgeon or clinic, there are ways to check their credentials; this will depend on the country they operate. For example, in the UK, qualified practitioners will be listed on the GMC website, which can instantly put your mind at rest. If you are heading to another country for a hair transplant, be sure to do your research beforehand about their domestic certifications.