Thanks to social media and low prices, Turkey is becoming the main destination in the world for bald people who want to have hair transplants. However, the boom popularity also raises concerns about the growth of clandestine clinics.
Hair transplants have gained popularity around the world, and Turkey has become its unofficial capital. Attracted by low prices, travel packages and a growing network of clinics, patients are feeding the boom of this multibillion-dollar industry.
The Turkish Health Tourism Association states that one million people traveled to Turkey in 2022 for hair restoration, spending around 2 billion dollars. In 2024, the broader health tourism sector raised almost $3 billion from two million visitors, according to the Ministry of Health.
For many, the main attraction is financial. Justin R., a nurse from California, said the entire procedure, including flight and accommodation, cost about $3,400, compared to more than $13,000 at American clinics. “It was an easy decision“, he said. Istanbul airports even have advertisements for hair transplants alongside the typical advertising for tourist tours and hotels.
But, amid flashy marketing, experts warn of the risks. The International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery has received reports of clandestine clinicswhere unlicensed employees perform multiple procedures per day, leading to infections, scars and artificial results.
Psychologist Glen Jankowski, author of the book Branding Baldness, warns that excessive follicle collection can affect blood pressure and that patients are sometimes prescribed medications such as minoxidil or finasteride without full consent. “These are serious medications with potential side effects“, these.
Turkey’s Health Ministry promised stricter supervision, but with around 5000 clinics in Istanbul alonesupervision promises to be challenging. Turkish President Erdogan himself admits that the scene can resemble a chaotic “Wild West”, encouraging patients to research well before booking.
The increase in demand is also driven by social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are full of transformation videos, portraying surgery as a confidence-boosting “life improvement.” For many men, the procedure has become as normalized as going to the gym.
Still, not everyone believes it. Jankowski, who studies the cultural pressures behind hair loss, advocates acceptance over surgery. “We think the hair we have on top of our head has meaning, but it doesn’t,” he said. “There is a beauty and wisdom in baldness that we are unfortunately losing.”
