What to look for in a hair transplant clinic - A guide to Hair Transplant Surgery

Think about the type of facilities they have, the standard of care, the attitude of the surgeon and staff, the location and the costs.

A clinic in central London is likely to cost a lot more than one in the provinces.

It is easy to be sidetracked by glossy exterior and plush surroundings but you want to be paying for surgery carried out by a qualified professional plus high quality care and not extra frills or luxuries.

You may have an idea of what type of clinic but how do you find a suitable surgeon?

Choosing a hair transplant surgeon

You want a surgeon who is highly qualified and specialises in hair transplant surgery. He or she will have a good track record in this respect and many years of experience. Be careful of someone who only performs hair transplant surgery on an occasional basis.

Check to see if your surgeon is a member of The British Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons or some other similar body. He or she should have professional accreditation.

The contact details for this and other organisations can be found on our links page.

When you visit a clinic ask to speak to the surgeon, not just a member of staff or a ‘salesperson’. It is important that you get the chance to speak to him/her to get an idea of whether this is the right person for you.

There will be a few things you will want to ask so write down a list of questions to take with you so that you don’t forget to ask anything which could be important.

Questions to ask the surgeon

Here is a suggested list of questions to ask:

• How long have you being performing hair transplant surgery?
• How many operations do you perform in a week?
• Do you specialise in hair transplants only or do you undertake other forms of surgery?
• Do you have professional accreditation?
• What qualifications do you have?
• Do you have any ’before’ and ‘after’ photographs and can I see them?
• Am I a good candidate for a hair transplant?
• What can I expect from a hair transplant?
• What is the best hair transplant technique for me?
• Am I suitable for a follicular unit transplant?
• Will all of the bald area of my scalp be covered?
• I have an advanced form of hair loss, am I suitable for a hair transplant?
• What are the risks of a hair transplant?
• What does the fee/cost of the procedure include?
• What medicines are there available to stop further hair loss?
• If I am not suitable for a hair transplant then can you recommend an alternative?

If the surgeon appears disinterested, does not give a straight answer, is patronising or intimidating then go elsewhere. This also applies if you feel that he/she is pushy or trying to give you the ‘hard sell’.

If you have a very mild form of hair loss –you are a Type 1 on the Hamilton-Norwood Scale then you won’t need a hair transplant. If the surgeon advises you to have a transplant then this is likely to be unnecessary and may be done for reasons other than your welfare. Be wary if this is the case and ask for a second opinion, which in other words means, talk to another surgeon.

The surgeon should give you the facts of the procedure in an objective manner. This includes a discussion of the side effects/risks or what can go wrong as well as the benefits. If he/she doesn’t do these then approach another surgeon.

At the end of the day it is your decision so if you are not happy or don’t feel comfortable with the surgeon then look elsewhere. You want to be able to trust your surgeon, to feel relaxed and at ease with him/her. If you don’t then this is likely to be problematic.

The other factor in this is that you are paying for your treatment which means that you have the final say. Make sure that you find the right surgeon for you.

Once you have found the right clinic and surgeon you will have an initial consultation with him/her to assess the level of hair loss and plan your treatment.

Finding a Hair Transplant Clinic Index

• Finding a Hair Transplant Clinic
• Background research

• What to look for in a hair transplant clinic
• The initial consultation