Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly common to see Londoners over the age of 25 wearing hair bandages at airports.
As with the rest of the world, there is a significant export of hair transplant tourists from the UK to Turkey.
Affordable prices, good results when choosing a reliable centre, and the opportunity for patients to combine their holidays with hair transplants put Antalya at the top of the list alongside Istanbul.
However, if you decide to have a hair transplant in Turkey, it is worth reading the following points:
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Only a Few Clinics in Antalya Meet International Hair Restoration Standards – Ask for Proof
While it is difficult to obtain clear statistics on this matter, according to data from the Turkish Ministry of Health, there are approximately 500 licensed hair transplant centres in Turkey, most of which are located in Istanbul, followed by Antalya, Izmir, and Ankara.
However, statistics show that more than 500,000 people—and according to some studies, approximately 1 million—come to Turkey for hair transplantation every year.
It would be unreasonable to think that such a high number of hair transplants are performed in only 500 clinics scattered across Turkey.
Therefore, a significant number of transplants are performed in unlicensed centres.
Be sure to ask the clinic you are in contact with to show you their hair transplant licences.
If available, find out about international hair transplant certifications. It is also a positive sign if the names and photos of the team performing your procedure are clearly shown on the clinic’s website.
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Some Clinics Prioritise Quantity Over Quality – Don’t Settle
The ‘5000 graft scam’ is a term frequently used for ‘temporary clinics’ not only in Antalya but throughout Turkey. These clinics typically try to attract patients by promising to extract a very high number of grafts.
Prof. Dr. Ümit Kemal Şentürk, one of the founders of Antalya-based DK Klinik, which developed the Hair Donor Index to assess transplant suitability, states on his website: “Based on our clinical experience, only approximately 1 out of every 10 potential patients is suitable for procedures involving 5,000 grafts, and even then, this is almost never possible in a single operation.”
Therefore, he urges patients to be cautious about 5,000 graft scams.
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Don’t Just Check the Star Rating – Look for Detailed, Verified Patient Stories
Did you know that, according to a 2023 study, 2 out of 3 patients read at least 6 reviews before trusting a healthcare provider?
Most patients choose a clinic without doing detailed research, relying solely on Google reviews. A limited number of Google reviews and high ratings can be misleading.
Think about it this way: if you decided to open a business today, wouldn’t you be able to get reviews from 50 people in your area within a year?
However, as the number of reviews increases, the likelihood of spam reviews that could influence patients’ purchasing decisions decreases.
When choosing a clinic, you should not rely solely on Google reviews. You should consider many criteria, such as reviews made by patients on other platforms, the clinic’s overall reputation, video testimonials, and the number of before-and-after photos available.
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Daily Direct Flights from London to Antalya Make Travel Surprisingly Simple
Antalya Airport is Turkey’s second busiest airport after Istanbul.
As of 2025, many airlines such as SunExpress, Wizz Air, Corendon, and Pegasus offer direct flights to Antalya.
The number of direct flights per week exceeds 100, especially in spring and summer, but direct flights are available regardless of the month.
This makes it easier to travel to Antalya for medical tourism in many areas, such as dental treatment, hair transplantation, and obesity surgery.
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Temporary Clinics Come and Go – Look for Long-Term Experience
The growing popularity of medical tourism in Turkey is increasing the number of organisations entering this sector each year.
Some believe they can succeed with just a website and a few ads, and unfortunately, dozens of newly established organisations are unable to continue their operations each year due to financial constraints.
The fact that a healthcare facility has been in operation for a long time and has been performing hair transplants consistently, along with having an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon on staff, are very positive indicators.
Focusing on whether a clinic has a long-standing, proven track record is not just a preference—it’s a requirement for ensuring your health is protected.
The risks of choosing a temporary clinic based on low prices, the possibility of bargaining, and unrealistic promises are as follows:
- They may compromise on quality to offer cheaper prices.
- Staff turnover is often high, meaning less experienced technicians.
- If complications arise months later, there may be no one left to assist you.
- Their main goal may be short-term profits, not long-term patient satisfaction.
Ultimately, as with any medical decision, the more informed you are, the better choices you’ll make — and your future self will thank you for it.