One of the biggest reasons why medical tourists flock to Turkey for hair transplants is the low cost. However, that very thing also sets off alarms in the minds of some people who think low cost would equal low quality (cue images of hair mills).
But if that were the case, you wouldn’t be hearing about so many celebrities (like Zinédine Zidane and Akon) coming to Turkey to get back their crowning glory. Then why is Turkey so cheap for hair transplants? Let’s find out!
Are Hair Transplants Cheaper In Turkey?
Hair transplants in Istanbul are generally 50-70% cheaper than in many Western countries like the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada. Where a hair transplant in the UK can cost you around £5,000 (it can even go up to £30,000), you can get the same surgery at the best quality for anywhere between £1,500-£1,700.
And the cherry on top is that you don’t only get a hair transplant at that price, but you can get a more comprehensive service, including accommodation, transfers, translators, medication and even aftercare.
This may also include free platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that can further improve your hair growth.
Is It Cheaper To Go To Turkey For Hair Transplant?
Even after including the cost of flights and consumables, going to Turkey for a hair transplant is likely to be cheaper for you.
For instance, according to Booking.com, the average price of a round-trip from the UK to Turkey is almost £460 or just around £375 when you’re travelling from Germany.
It’s around $1,800 if you’re travelling from the US, but considering surgery there costs $7,500 on average and just about $2,000 in Turkey, the latter’s still way cheaper.
The same goes for Canada, where this surgery can be $6,500 (and more), but the $2,000 ticket price will still end up saving you money. So, yes, going to Turkey to get a hair transplant is still cheaper.
Also, a lot of the time, people don’t just come here for surgery; Turkey is a tourist hotspot because it’s a very scenic country with a very rich culture and history, so it’s got a lot to offer.
Why Does Turkey Have A Cost Advantage In Hair Transplantation?
There are more than a few reasons why Turkey has a cost advantage when it comes to hair transplantation surgery:
- Real estate is cheaper – Renting or buying medical facilities is cheaper in Turkey because of the lower cost of living.
- Lower wages – According to Numbeo, the average monthly net salary in Turkey is around £440, about £2,300 in the UK and £3,800 in the US. It also comes down to differences in the cost of living.
- Currency difference – Considering the monthly income in Turkey, £1,500 (about 50,000 lira) isn’t exactly cheap for those living in Turkey, but for foreigners, it ends up being far cheaper because of differences in the currency.
Other than that, legal and insurance costs are also lower here.
Are Hair Transplant Prices Lower In Turkey Compared To Other Countries?
Compared to other countries, hair transplant prices in Turkey are usually 3 to 5 times lower. To give you a better idea, here’s a comparison between Turkish hair transplant prices and those of other countries.
| Hair transplant in Turkey | £1,500-£2,000 |
| Hair transplant in the United Kingdom | £5,000-£30,000 |
| Hair transplant in the United States | $7,500-$20,000 |
| Hair transplant in Canada | $6,500-$20,000 |
Why Can Turkey Be An Economical Option For A Person Who Wants To Have A Hair Transplant?
Low cost of living and currency exchange rate are the main reasons why getting a hair transplant in Turkey can be a very economical option for many people.
And keep in mind that you can get the best quality of hair transplant for somewhere between £1,500-£2,000.
Do your research, and you can easily find very experienced hair transplant specialists who can give you excellent results.
Conclusion
Being a cosmetic procedure, a hair transplant isn’t something you can get through a national health service or even private medical insurance. You’ll have to pay for it yourself, but its prices are too exorbitant in some countries – enough to want you to give up on the idea of getting your hair back.
But because of medical tourism, you don’t really have to do that. Turkey is crowned as one of the popular countries for hair surgery due to the low prices and very high quality. So, you can simply choose to come here instead and have a good time while you’re at it.