Hair loss can take away people's confidence, and with no current cure for male or female pattern baldness or other hair loss, there’s no surprise that hair transplants are rising in popularity. Thanks to advancements in technology, modern hair transplants can be performed quicker, safer and more skill fully than ever before.
Despite this, finding the right hair transplant clinic is essential for the best results and the smoothest experience. Your final choice of clinic will have a huge impact on how your hair will look after the procedure, so research is key. To help you on your hair restoration journey, we’ve put together this guide with the top 10 tips for finding the right hair transplant clinic.
1. Do your research into the clinic
The first thing you should research is how long the hair transplant clinic has been up and running. If they’ve been around for a long time, this will give you some peace of mind for many reasons. For example, you’ll be able to discover more information about the clinic and the experiences of previous patients. It can also reassure you that they’ll be around long enough for any aftercare or follow up appointments that are needed.
Reading reviews and checking out their social media are good ways to learn more about the hair transplant clinics you’re interested in. Some points to look out for include:
- Testimonials on their website and independent sites
- Read customer reviews
- Check the functionality of their website and when it was set up
- Find their Companies House listing
When it comes to their social media channels, you need to remember that the number of followers means very little when confirming the quality of the clinic. Instead, you should search their channels for positive feedback from previous patients, before and after photos and customer interaction. You should also compare any comments you find with online reviews.
Never consider getting your procedure at an unlicensed facility. Your surgery should take place in a licensed hair transplant clinic, a hospital or a medical centre. If the facility isn’t clean or the conditions don’t look safe for any reason, then you shouldn’t go any further with treatment. This is rarely an issue in the UK as medical procedures are heavily regulated.
2. Ensure they offer a free consultation
Most people who experience hair loss will immediately assume that a hair transplant is the best option for them. However, after consulting with a specialist, they may find out that it’s too early for surgery and that they should manage their hair loss before they act upon it.
For this reason, finding a hair transplant clinic that offers a free consultation is highly recommended. By attending an initial one-on-one free consultation, you will be able to find out the reason for your hair loss and assess the best treatment plan for you.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a hair transplant and you would be interested in a no-obligation consultation, you can book a free consultation with FUE clinics. We also have an in-depth guide on whether you are the right candidate for a hair transplant.
3. Know what treatment the clinic offers
There are many different hair loss treatments out there and they all come in various forms. When you’re looking for a hair transplant clinic, you need to make sure that the ones you’re interested in are offering the treatment you need. For example, if your hair has just started to recede, then you might need Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP) or hair loss medication first.
You should also research the treatments that the clinic specialises in, especially if you have a specific hair type that requires more specialised treatment, like afro Caribbean hair, for example. For the best results, you should go to a clinic that has surgeons who are adept in the treatment you require.. If you’re unsure about which treatment you need, this will be confirmed during your consultation.
4. Learn about your doctor
To choose the right hair transplant clinic for your hair loss, you need to make sure that there is an excellent team of accredited physicians and staff to take you through your hair restoration journey. Researching and learning about the expertise of the clinic’s physicians is particularly important as they’re key to the success of your treatment.
Some clinics will have information about their surgeons on their websites. This can be in the form of a bio. If you can’t find any information about the surgeon or their medical credentials aren’t available online, then you shouldn’t bother contacting the clinic. As a potential client, you have the right to know who you will be meeting at the consultation.
5. Find before and after photos
Hair transplant clinics should be able to provide you with before and after photo samples and references. This will highlight their work and success and will serve as proof to you, their client, that they can do their job well using effective techniques. Looking at a variety of before and after pictures will allow you to gather information and set your expectations.
Please note that client video testimonials can be easily faked and should not be used as reliable sources. Instead, you should research or ask if the clinic has conducted any case studies over the years. If case studies have been carried out, they will be able to give you an insight into how different patients reacted to their treatment.
6. Ask about the details planned especially for you
Knowing exactly what to expect from your hair transplant is very important before you go ahead with a procedure at your chosen clinic. Some of the details you should expect include:
- The methods and techniques they’re going to use
- Details of the operation
- Medication used before the procedure
- Any pain expectations
- Medication used after the procedure
- Aftercare and follow up appointments
As mentioned previously, every hair transplant is unique and every clinic will specialise in different areas. Some clinics will have more detailed plans, faster recovery times and more efficient procedures. Asking about the details that would be put in place especially for you during your consultation is a great start to comparing different hair transplant facilities.
7. Look for the Care Quality Commission
One of the best ways to find out if the hair transplant clinics you’ve found are reliable is by checking the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This government organisation regulates all health and social care services in England. If you go onto the CQC website, you can search for the name of specific clinics and registration numbers to see if they are regulated.
When you’re conducting your search, you should make sure that the trading name matches the registration number. It’s common for unregulated brokers to rent rooms on regulated premises under a different name. This means you won’t get the same level of service as a legitimate clinic.
8. Do they have indemnity insurance?
Indemnity insurance is a popular form of coverage that can be used across a variety of trades and professions. With this policy, insurance companies guarantee compensation for any losses or damages that are sustained by the policyholder. This will protect business owners and professionals against faults like a misjudgement.
Good hair transplant clinics will have indemnity insurance in their own name rather than the name of the surgeon. If you’d like to know more about the clinic's policy, you can ask to see proof of it. You should pay close attention to the name that’s printed on it and only proceed if it matches the trading name of the clinic.
9. Ask about the pricing
Doing your research is all well and good, but if you can’t afford to pay for the treatment then it’ll be a waste of time. Being able to afford a hair transplant is one of the main determining factors about whether or not you should go ahead with a procedure. If you think you’ve found the best clinic for you, then be sure to ask a representative about the cost before committing to anything.
Finding out the price of the procedure and any additional fees, such as check-ups, office visits, and travel to the clinic are essential. Once you know what prices to expect, you can compare them with other clinics to see if they’re upselling something that they shouldn’t be.
If you don’t have all of the money to pay for your procedure upfront, then you should make sure that the clinic you go to has a payment plan in place. This is something you must talk to representatives about before going ahead with any more consultations or treatment, as it’s key to determining your affordability.
10. First impressions really do count
First impressions really do count when it comes to finding the right hair transplant clinic for you. No matter how much research you put into your options, your initial consultation will give you the chance to see how you feel about the company on the day.
During your consultation, you should look for signs of professionalism. This includes examining your donor and graft areas using a digital microscope. This will identify characteristics of your hair that won’t be visible to the naked eye.
A decent clinic will also carefully calculate the number of follicles that need to be transplanted. If your surgeon appears to be relying on guesswork or past experience without doing these all-important sums, then this should be classed as a red flag.
Consider FUE Clinics for your hair transplant
Our renowned FUE Clinics have revolutionised the way healthcare providers deliver precision, results and continuity of care. As a patient, this is something that you should expect as well as depend on. We treat a wide range of conditions that cause or lead to hair loss.
We also have the technology to restore hair in other areas, such as beards and eyebrows. Learn more about our clinics and procedures by looking through our FAQ section. Or contact us today to make an appointment and visit us for a free and honest, no-obligation consultation.
