When it comes to hair transplant surgery, the past 5-6 years have witnessed remarkable growth, taking a significant leap forward. This applies not only to the availability of specialized medical professionals in the field of hair transplantation but also to the increased number of facilities offering hair transplant services, both in Thailand and abroad. So, if we were to make a comparison, is hair transplant truly better overseas than in Thailand? In this article, we will take examples from the hair transplant industry in certain countries to provide everyone with insights into the matter.
HAIR TRANSPLANT INDUSTRY ABROAD
When it comes to countries with the most expansive hair transplant industry, Turkey undoubtedly takes a prominent spot. This observation is supported by the QUARTZ website, which has noted the emergence of numerous hair transplant clinics over the past several years, aimed at catering to health-conscious tourists from around the globe. With this rapid expansion, many clinics find themselves compelled to reduce their overhead costs in order to offer competitive prices and entice potential customers to avail of their services. Consequently, there appears to be a declining emphasis on the quality of equipment and the efficacy of graft soaking solutions being used, almost to the point where the meticulousness of these factors is overshadowed.
Moreover, the hiring of low-compensated foreign labor for hair transplant procedures seems to be a prevalent practice, replacing the role of specialized experts. In these instances, the clinic’s resident doctor is often relegated to a consultative role, providing guidance to patients without actively participating in the surgical process.
Similarly, just like in India, as mentioned by the CureBooking medical tourism blog, the situation in countries such as India and Poland has drawn attention to certain clinics that might be operating outside legal boundaries. In these clinics, even taxi drivers could potentially double as hair transplant practitioners if the need arises, and what’s more surprising is that the starting prices for hair transplant procedures are remarkably low. However, within this apparent affordability, there are often hidden microtransactions that tend to catch us off guard – expenses like preliminary consultation fees, post-appointment charges, and so on, which tend to be surreptitiously incorporated without our awareness.
Hair transplantation in the European continent, such as in Poland, as highlighted by the CureBooking medical tourism blog, has information indicating that the standards and pricing for hair transplants are comparable to those in the United States.
In the United States, the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS) holds recognition as the sole accrediting body for the specific qualifications of hair transplant surgeons, acknowledged by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), an international hair restoration society. However, a distinction emerges when it comes to Poland. There are numerous clinics that often impose hidden fees without prior notification to the patients, and even the costs associated with travel expenses can be high for those seeking hair transplant services. Despite these factors, the pricing may not be as alluring as compared to Thailand.
HOW SUBSTANDARD CLINICS AFFECT PATIENTS?
Hair transplantation in substandard clinics, much like in many places such as Turkey and India, subjects patients to considerable risks. This is primarily because apart from the fact that the quality of the hair transplantation received might not be up to the expected standard, there’s a higher chance of unfavorable outcomes. In certain cases, the chosen hairline might appear unnatural, going either excessively straight or unnaturally narrow, leading to additional procedures to rectify these discrepancies.
Moreover, there are concerns regarding inadequate hygiene standards, encompassing both the tools used and the operating rooms themselves. This could potentially result in post-procedure infections among patients, clearly an undesirable consequence for both the patients themselves and their newly transplanted hair.
IS HAIR TRANSPLANTATION ABROAD BETTER THAN IN THAILAND?
Whether it’s in Thailand or abroad, the standards of quality hair transplantation encompassing skills, experience, and a track record of successful cases should universally adhere to internationally recognized principles. Within Thailand itself, there are skilled hair transplant surgeons who have received ABHRS accreditation, just like their counterparts in various countries around the world. Furthermore, there is a commendable level of public health safety. It can be confidently stated that Thailand is on par with, if not surpassing, international standards, showcasing our country’s excellence in this field.
TIPS FOR SELECTING A RELIABLE HAIR TRANSPLANT CLINIC
UNREASONABLE HAIR TRANSPLANT PRICES
Don’t be swayed by cheap prices or overly discounted promotions for hair transplants, as it’s unlikely to be a viable option. This is because lower-priced offerings often come with reduced costs in terms of equipment, solutions, and labor, which might compromise the quality of the results and potentially lead to dissatisfaction.
Read more : The cost of a hair transplant at Hairsmith Clinic
PROVIDING HAIR TRANSPLANT INFORMATION BY PHYSICIANS
Before making a decision on where to undergo a hair transplant, it’s advisable to schedule an initial consultation with a physician. A reputable clinic should be able to address concerns and answer questions transparently, without any hidden agendas. If we’re considering a specific clinic for the procedure, and they are unable to provide comprehensive information as per our inquiries, it’s worth considering other options.
MEDICAL EXPERTISE OF PHYSICIANS
The most crucial aspect of hair transplantation is the skill and expertise of the treating physician. If the physician’s capabilities are internationally recognized through ABHRS (American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery) or similar accreditation, it instills confidence that the resulting outcome will undoubtedly be satisfying. Alternatively, if selecting a physician with equivalent credentials, it’s advisable to examine their individual portfolio of hair transplant results that resonate with personal preferences.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT USED IN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
If possible, studying information about the medical equipment used at the hair transplant clinic we choose can be beneficial. This is because there are still certain countries and clinics that may opt for using older tools or equipment to minimize costs. For instance, using traditional Forceps instead of the newer Implanter, or even using ice to chill grafts instead of paying attention to small details like having a graft temperature control device
QUALITY OF STORAGE SOLUTION
The quality of the hair graft storage solution is also of utmost importance in hair transplantation. After the grafts are extracted, they must be immersed in a solution to prevent them from drying out and dying. More than 50% of regular hair clinics opt for using a simple saline solution due to its low cost and easy availability. However, it offers minimal benefits in terms of increasing the survival rate of grafts. In comparison, HypoThermosol, which provides energy to hair root cells, can extend the grafts’ survival up to 5 days. It can be considered the best preservation solution in the hair transplantation industry.
THE HAIR TRANSPLANTATION RESULTS ACHIEVED BY THE CLINIC
As previously mentioned in the article, if we want to see hair transplant reviews, we should look at reviews that are 6 months to 1 year post-transplant. This is because the hair that has just been transplanted cannot be guaranteed to grow 100%. Therefore, immediate post-transplant reviews might be misleading in terms of portraying complete and final results.
SUMMARY
The global hair transplantation industry is growing by leaps and bounds, leading some countries to establish non-standardized hair transplant clinics. This involves issues with cleanliness, cost-cutting measures, and even the use of non-professionals for hair transplant procedures instead of licensed doctors. Even in legally regulated clinics, there are instances where additional fees are charged without prior notification to the patients. These non-standardized clinics pose risks to both patient safety and the quality of hair transplant results.
If you ask whether hair transplantation abroad is better than in Thailand, the answer is simply not true. A good hair transplant must adhere to internationally recognized standards, regardless of the location. Thailand is also a country with highly skilled doctors who are certified by ABHRS, just like in other countries. When selecting a hair transplant clinic for those interested, factors to consider include pricing, provided information, doctor expertise, equipment used, quality of the graft storage solution, and the clinic’s long-term hair transplantation results. If you’ve done your research well, you can proceed
