Where a hair transplant is performed directly affects the cost, the clinical standards behind those before and after photos, and the practical logistics of follow-up care. This guide walks through how to evaluate results photos with geographic context, covering the five major regions for hair restoration and the specific factors to consider in each.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
How Geography Shapes the Results You See
Cost Per Graft by Region
The price range for the same procedure varies dramatically depending on where the clinic operates. This table shows current 2026 per-graft pricing:
| Region | Cost Per Graft (USD) | 2,500-Graft Total | 4,000-Graft Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $1.00 - $2.00 | $2,500 - $5,000 | $4,000 - $8,000 |
| India | $0.50 - $1.50 | $1,250 - $3,750 | $2,000 - $6,000 |
| Thailand | $1.50 - $3.00 | $3,750 - $7,500 | $6,000 - $12,000 |
| Europe | $2.50 - $4.50 | $6,250 - $11,250 | $10,000 - $18,000 |
| UK | $3.00 - $5.00 | $7,500 - $12,500 | $12,000 - $20,000 |
| South Korea | $3.00 - $5.00 | $7,500 - $12,500 | $12,000 - $20,000 |
| Mexico | $2.00 - $4.00 | $5,000 - $10,000 | $8,000 - $16,000 |
| USA | $4.00 - $6.00 | $10,000 - $15,000 | $16,000 - $24,000 |
When browsing before and after photos from a $2/graft clinic, apply the same scrutiny you would to a $6/graft clinic. Price alone does not determine result quality.
Step 1: Understand Regional Photography Standards
Turkey
Turkey is the highest-volume destination for hair transplants globally. This means more galleries to browse but also more variation in quality. Top Turkish clinics follow ISHRS photography protocols with standardized lighting and angles. Budget clinics often use inconsistent photography or borrow results from other surgeons. Verify that the photos match the specific surgeon and facility you are considering.
USA and UK
Clinics in the USA and UK typically adhere to stricter advertising regulations. Photos are more likely to be standardized, but galleries tend to be smaller because these clinics perform fewer total procedures per month. FUE in the USA costs $4 to $6 per graft, so a Norwood 4 case (2,500-3,500 grafts) runs $10,000 to $21,000.
Europe (Spain, Germany, Poland)
European clinics sit between Turkey and the USA in both cost ($2.50-$4.50/graft) and volume. Photography standards vary by country. Spanish and German clinics often follow the same protocols as UK and US practices.
India and Thailand
Both regions offer competitive pricing ($0.50-$1.50 for India, $1.50-$3.00 for Thailand). When evaluating photos from these regions, pay close attention to the specific surgeon's experience and whether the results shown are from the surgeon or the clinic's broader team.
Step 2: Factor Travel Into Your Photo Evaluation
Pre-Operative Consultation
For domestic clinics, in-person consultations are straightforward. For international clinics, most initial consultations happen via video call or photo submission. This means your first in-person meeting with the surgeon may be the day before or the day of the procedure. If a clinic does not offer a thorough video consultation with the actual surgeon, reconsider.
Follow-Up Limitations
This is where geographic factors most impact your results. Domestic patients can return for follow-up appointments at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months. International patients often rely on email or video follow-up after they return home.
When reviewing before and after photos from overseas clinics, ask:
- Were these follow-up photos taken at the clinic or submitted remotely by the patient?
- Does the clinic have a local follow-up partner in your country?
- What happens if you experience complications after returning home?
Recovery While Traveling
FUE recovery takes 7-10 days. FUT takes 10-14 days. If you are flying internationally within that window, factor in the recovery environment. Post-operative swelling typically peaks at days 3-5, and flying with fresh grafts carries minor risks from cabin pressure and dehydration.
Step 3: Compare Like-for-Like Across Regions
To make a fair comparison across geographic regions:
- Match Norwood stages. A Norwood 3 case in Turkey (1,500-2,200 grafts) should be compared to a Norwood 3 case in the USA, not a Norwood 5 case from either.
- Match procedure types. FUE, FUT, and DHI produce slightly different results. Do not compare an FUE result from one country with a DHI result from another.
- Match timelines. Final results appear at 12-18 months. A 6-month photo from one clinic is not comparable to a 14-month photo from another.
- Verify the surgeon. In high-volume clinics, technicians may perform most of the extraction and implantation. Confirm that the surgeon shown in the gallery is the same person who will do your procedure.
Step 4: Assess Total Cost of Ownership
A $4,000 procedure in Turkey with two round-trip flights ($800-1,200), a week of accommodation ($500-1,000), and a possible revision trip is not necessarily cheaper than a $12,000 domestic procedure with easy follow-up access. Calculate the complete cost:
- Procedure fee
- Flights and accommodation
- Time off work (7-14 days)
- Follow-up travel
- Post-operative medications (finasteride at $30-90/month, minoxidil at $15-50/month)
- Potential PRP sessions ($500-$2,000 each)
Know Your Stage Before Comparing
Geography is secondary to knowing your own hair loss stage. Without that baseline, you cannot make any meaningful comparison across regions, clinics, or price points. Get your free Norwood stage assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze to start your research with objective data.