London or Istanbul for Hair Transplant: Decided Yet?
Our comprehensive guide for comparing the hair transplant operations conducted in both cities
London vs İstanbul
Comparing Medical Tourism
Hubs of Europe
ISTANBUL
LONDON
Avg. per graft price
$1,12
Avg price for 2500 grafts transplant
$2345
$9725
DHI
✔️
✔️
FUT
✔️
✔️
FUE
✔️
✔️
Sapphire FUE
✔️
❌
Gold FUE
✔️
❌
Accomodation at 5-star hotel
Inclusive package
$2660
1 month cost-of-living
$1972
$6214
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
$897
13h
$1065
10h
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
$824
9h 30min
$676
7h
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
$827
10h 30min
$1020
8h
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
$196
3h
$111
2h
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
$210
3h 30min
$93
1h 30min
Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME)
$579
4h
❌
*Prices are taken at 1st of August, 2022 from Google Flights and may be differ with respect to dates
Today it’s widely known that people are more willing to travel abroad to get their medical needs. This comes as no surprise if you consider higher rates of prices for treatments, especially for the operations that require higher surgical skills, in developed countries.
Hair transplantation is one of the surgical operations in demand on a global scale, being on top of the lists of patients traveling across the globe. In 2022 alone, more than 620,000+ people traveled abroad to get surgical hair transplants, according to ISHRS. However, inexpensive prices of hair transplant surgery in any country is not the sole factor for people to travel abroad for medical needs, it is just a stimulus.
In this article, we are going to take a look at 2 hotspots for hair transplant surgery in Europe, i.e. London & Istanbul, and will examine why people choose one over other to get their cosmetic needs.
When it comes to comparing distinct countries and cities for cosmetic surgeries, a cheaper alternative may be more preferable, while the costly option may not be the best due to health tourism’s own nature. In this regard, there are significant benefits in comparing locations from around the world and selecting the most suitable choice for you when you researching for hair transplantation.
London and Istanbul are two of the primary places that come to mind when hair transplantation is mentioned & it’s no surprise considering both cities hosts expert plastic surgeons and advanced medical technology. Clinics of Istanbul offers all-inclusive packages that include lodging, transportation, and other services in addition to the hair transplant procedure. If you choose to go to London, on the other hand, it is expected that you will be charged for each stage of the procedure.
Besides the surgery, Istanbul offers some of the most culturally-rich places one could visit in the entire world; also close to the famous tourist spots in Mediterranean so you combine your trip with a sunny vacation. London too, on the other hand, delivers some tourist attractions you may want to see.
Get a free consultation
Request an online or offline consultation
Guncel Ozturk, M.D.
- Average answering time — 3 minutes
- 100% of patients recommend the doctor
- 15 patients chose the doctor last month
- Individual treatment program and cost estimate
Why Choose London for hair transplant surgery over Istanbul ?
Hygiene & sterilization
UK hospitals have high hygienic standards compared with any other country in Europe why the country holds qualification of the doctors’ staff high and consistent.
Clinics are well regulated
Doctors and clinics in the London are regulated by independent institutions to protect and maintain the health and safety of the public by making sure that they meet UK standards for medical practices.
No or minimal travel required
If you live in Western or Central Europe, the UK is at your doorstep. So if you want to get your transplant done near your country, you can choose to go to London.
Top-notch clinics with high-end facilities
The UK has some of the best and most highly qualified facilities in the world. When patients need to go to hospital in London they are usually confident because they know they are going to be well cared for and looked after.
FUT technique still being implemented commonly in London clinics because it is cheaper and secure with regulations although it is a painful technique that leaves scars.
Cons for going London to get hair transplant
- Expensive procedures
- Prices include only the surgery and the necessary medication. Clinics might charge separately for consultations and check-up appointments. Hair transplant operation with the same or similar quality is way cheaper abroad
- You have to get in a long waiting list for your surgery
Why Choose Istanbul for hair transplant surgery over London?
Best hair transplant surgeons are here
Keep in mind that Turkey is a place where most of the hair transplant surgeries are held; 205,000+ operations of worldwide total of 680,000+ annually, 1 of every 3 hair transplant surgery patients choose to go there.
Affordable & budget friendly hair transplant surgery costs
Istanbul City delivers the most budget friendly hair transplant surgeries. This accounts for the competition between many high-end clinics in the city. Also the devaluation and crisis of Turkish Lira makes Istanbul a go-to city for patients who are willing to go abroad for hair transplant surgery.
Less painful & more safe innovative methods are being applied
The Turkish Government subsidizes medical companies to implant the newest technologies to achieve the best possible results for patients and incentivizes medical tourism.
Best prices in Europe: All-Inclusive benefits with excellent standards of service and staff
Most clinics work with package prices; however, the services included might differ. In general, hair transplant costs in the Turkey include:
- Transportation from, to and between airport, clinic, hotel is provided
- Accomodation at high-end and luxury hotels
- Interpreters are provided for patients
- Extra medications if required. (Also doctors are more involved before, after & throughout the process.)
Whereas clinics in London usually just include:
- Consultation with the surgeon
- Surgery
- Required medications for aftercare
in their all-inclusive packages..
Cons for going Istanbul to get hair transplant
- Higher distance of traveling
- You may need several extra days post-surgery in case any complications occur, so you won’t need to fly to Istanbul again
- Language might be a barrier if you don’t have interpreter support
What factors determine the cost of Hair Transplant in London and Istanbul?
It is critical to understand what parameters are taken into account when hair transplant prices are calculated whether you are comparing Istanbul & London for your surgery, or just researching hair transplant costs throughout the world. There are some critical aspects you need to consider in the location deciding phase that have a direct influence on the total cost and quality of the surgery.
- Qualification and Expertise of the Surgeon: Hair transplantation has the capacity to change one’s life and look forever; although mostly in a positive way, operations done by unqualified surgeons may alter your look badly in an irreversible way. For this reason, surgeon’s qualifications are critical to the treatment’s success. As a result, the surgeon’s training and expertise are critical.
- Capabilities of the Clinic & Facilitiest: It is vital to compare the doctor and clinic’s capabilities and prior performances with social proof at this point. You should compare prices only when you believe you’ve found an experienced and reputable hair transplantation expert. Ongoing hair transplant trend and Turkey’s interest in being the capital of cosmetic surgeries made the country the home for the most talented and skilled plastic surgeons; hair transplant surgeons are no exception to this.
- Hair Transplant Techniques That Are Being Implemented: There are 2 main hair transplant methods available around the world, i.e. more recent FUE & more classic FUT methods. Alongside these, some countries started to apply more innovative Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) method according to the patient’s needs in recent years. Among those 3 methods, FUT is the most classic approach and many country still implement only this single technique. Although FUE is significantly more costly than FUT when compared, it is a new and more beneficial method.
What Is The Major Differences Between FUE And FUT Hair Transplantation Methods?
If you use the FUT method, it may take you a little longer to get back into your regular social life. Patients can resume their social and professional lives as soon as a week after undergoing FUE therapy. FUE does not add up any unusual discomfort or difficulty generated by methods other than FUT. Precise and adequate micro motors and stitches are used to gather hair roots, which has numerous benefits for the donor region since there will be no scars, sores, or scarring if the operation is done carefully and hygienically. Furthermore, hair follicles seeded using this procedure contain twice or treble the number of hair cells.
What methods (FUE, FUT, DHI) is being implemented in London and Istanbul clinics?
The case of the hair transplant operations in the London is similar to general case of UK & US. FUE method has aesthetical and operational advantages to FUT. In the London, surgeries with FUT method are being utilized widespread than ones with FUE. It struggles to make the transition to recent FUE method. This problem combining with high prices of cosmetic surgery operations London also lost its popularity for hair transplant tourism in the region. Moreover, most of the Turkish clinics generally prefer the FUE method which is a newer, less painful and faster method in comparison to the older FUT method. The use of innovative and safer methods like FUE & DHI, best equipment with state of the art clinics specialized for hair surgeries and widespread & highly qualified experienced hair transplant surgeons makes Turkey one of the best location in the world for getting a hair transplantation.
What to Expect: Conclusion
Choosing one city over another depends on various factors, ofcourse; where you live, what is your total budget, are you willing to travel long hours, etc… however we have a clear winner for our comparison. Being host to the most talented plastic surgeons for hair transplant, Turkish clinics made a lot of contributions to the field and helped develop innovative methods for transplanting techniques and hair transplant surgery itself.
Hair transplant clinics in Istanbul take the lead for the country’s ever-growing share for hair transplants. Since the country’s distinct state, they can deliver budget-friendly and all-inclusive packages that you won’t find elsewhere. We suggest hair transplant patients to go and visit Istanbul and get their inexpensive treatments with a world-class quality and excellent service there while having a chance to combine their treatment with a rich trip destinations in Turkey.