A good clinic will answer these questions plainly and in writing. A sales-led one tends to steer you back to price, a deposit deadline or a package. TravelHealthPro's advice is that medical advice from an administrator, travel agent or sales team member is not acceptable, so put the medical questions to the treating doctor themselves.
The ten questions
- Who performs the procedure, and what are their qualifications? Ask for the doctor's full name and registration number, not just the clinic brand, and check it yourself.
- Which stages are done by doctors and which by technicians? Technicians commonly assist, but you should know exactly who makes the incisions or channels and who places the grafts.
- How many procedures does the surgeon do each day? A very high number is a reason to ask how attention is shared.
- How many grafts do you recommend, and why? The answer should come from your donor area and pattern of loss, not a standard package.
- What is included in the price? Transfers, accommodation, medication, aftercare and follow-up should be itemised.
- Will you put everything in writing before I pay a deposit? That includes the plan, costs, cancellation terms and what happens if you need a correction.
- Can I see unedited before-and-after photos of patients like me, including at 12 months? Early photos can flatter a result that has not yet settled.
- What is the aftercare plan, and who do I contact from home? A named contact and a response time are better than a general email address.
- What happens if the result is poor? Ask whether corrections are offered and how they are priced.
- Can I speak to previous patients or read independent reviews? Be wary of testimonials that appear only on the clinic's own site.
Red flags
- Pressure to pay a deposit quickly or a discount that expires today
- Guarantees about density or growth. The NHS notes that no hair loss treatment is 100% effective.
- A surgeon who cannot be named, or whose registration you cannot verify
- A graft number decided before anyone has examined your scalp
- No clear route to follow-up care once you are home
How to use the answers
Write the answers down or, better, ask the clinic to email them. Vague replies are worth noting, and so is the pace of the conversation. A clinic that answers within a reasonable time and puts the surgeon on a call is behaving differently from one that only offers a salesperson.
Compare answers between clinics. If two clinics recommend very different graft numbers for your photos, ask each to explain the difference. A good clinic will show its reasoning, for example by pointing to the density of your donor area and the area they intend to cover.
Questions to take to your GP
Before you commit, a GP can help you check whether there is a treatable cause of your hair loss, such as an iron deficiency, and can talk through the NHS options. It can also help to ask your GP about any medical conditions or medicines that might affect surgery or healing, such as blood-thinning medicines or skin conditions. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine without medical advice, including because a clinic has suggested it.
If you plan to have treatment abroad, TravelHealthPro advises discussing the planned procedure with your UK GP or specialist before booking.
If you are travelling abroad
Add a few questions that matter more when you will be far from home. Ask who you can speak to in English at any hour if something goes wrong, what happens if you need to stay longer than planned, and whether the clinic will send your records to your GP. TravelHealthPro advises taking copies of all your medical records and asking to meet former patients. It also suggests checking the clinic's hygiene and indemnity insurance in person where you can.
Finally, ask about insurance. A UK GHIC or EHIC does not cover planned treatment, so you need cover that includes complications and return to the UK.
One more practical step: ask the clinic how it handles complaints, and who you would contact if you were unhappy with the care. A clear, written complaints process is a sign of a provider that expects to be held to account. Ask also about the clinic's policy on consent, including how much time you get between the consultation and the procedure to think about it. Decisions made in a rush, on the day of travel, are the ones people most often regret.
Take the answers to your GP if you can. The NHS recommends seeing a GP before considering a commercial hair clinic, partly because treatable medical causes of hair loss are common. For the next step, see how to check a clinic's registration, and for costs and inclusions abroad read hair transplants in Turkey. FUE vs DHI helps you ask sharper questions about technique.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a hair transplant clinic?
Who operates and their registration, which steps technicians do, how the graft number was decided, what the price includes, and what aftercare you get.
Should I ask for the doctor's registration?
Yes. Get the full name and number, then verify it independently instead of relying on the clinic's website.
Which photos should I ask to see?
Unedited before-and-after photos of patients with similar hair, including 12-month results, as early photos can flatter.
Is it a red flag if I am pushed to pay a deposit?
Yes. Pressure to pay quickly or an expiring discount is a reason to slow down and ask for everything in writing.