Asking the right questions before booking a hair transplant separates patients who get excellent outcomes from those who face costly revisions. Patients who research clinics independently have 45% lower revision rates. This list covers the 15 questions that matter most during your consultation.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified hair restoration surgeon before pursuing any treatment.
Questions About the Surgeon
1. What Are Your Credentials and Certifications?
The answer you want: ABHRS board certification, ISHRS membership or fellowship, and a specific number of years dedicated to hair restoration. General dermatology or plastic surgery credentials alone are not sufficient. Hair transplant surgery is a subspecialty that requires focused training.
2. How Many Hair Transplant Procedures Have You Personally Performed?
Look for surgeons with 500 or more career procedures. Surgeons in the 200 to 500 range are competent but still refining their technique. Below 200, you are part of their learning curve.
3. Will You Personally Perform My Entire Procedure?
Many clinics use a team model where technicians handle extraction and implantation. This is not inherently bad, but you deserve to know exactly which steps the surgeon performs personally versus which are delegated.
4. Can I See 10 Cases Matching My Norwood Stage?
A surgeon who has successfully treated your specific pattern of hair loss multiple times is a better bet than one showing only their best single result. For reference, graft requirements vary by stage:
| Norwood Stage | Grafts Needed | Procedure Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Norwood 2 | 800 to 1,500 | 4 to 6 hours |
| Norwood 3 | 1,500 to 2,200 | 5 to 7 hours |
| Norwood 4 | 2,500 to 3,500 | 6 to 8 hours |
| Norwood 5 | 3,000 to 4,500 | 7 to 9 hours |
| Norwood 6 | 4,000 to 6,000 | 8 to 10+ hours |
Questions About the Procedure
5. Which Technique Do You Recommend for My Case and Why?
The surgeon should explain whether FUE, FUT, or DHI is best for your situation and provide a clear rationale. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) involves individual graft extraction with 7 to 10 days of recovery. FUT (strip method) allows higher graft yields in a single session but leaves a linear scar. DHI uses a Choi pen for direct implantation without pre-made channels.
A surgeon who pushes only one technique regardless of the patient's needs may not have training across methods.
6. What Is the Expected Graft Survival Rate at Your Clinic?
Industry standard graft survival is 90% to 95%. Ask the clinic for their specific data. If they cannot provide a number or claim 100% survival, both are concerning responses.
7. How Do You Design the Hairline?
Hairline design is the most visible element of any hair transplant. The surgeon should discuss your facial proportions, age-appropriate placement, and future hair loss considerations. A hairline designed too low for a 25-year-old may look unnatural by age 40 as native hair continues to recede.
8. What Happens If I Need a Second Session?
Donor area capacity is finite. Ask about the long-term plan, not just the immediate procedure. A responsible surgeon factors in future sessions and ongoing hair loss when determining how many grafts to extract today.
Questions About Cost and Value
9. What Is Your Total All-Inclusive Price?
Get the complete cost in writing, including:
| Cost Component | What to Verify |
|---|---|
| Surgeon fee | Included or separate |
| Graft fee (per graft) | USA: $4 to $6, Turkey: $1 to $2, UK: $3 to $5 |
| Anesthesia | Local vs. sedation pricing |
| Post-op medications | Included or extra |
| Follow-up visits | Number included in price |
| PRP sessions | Often recommended, $500 to $2,000 per session |
| Revision policy | Free touch-ups or additional charge |
10. Do You Offer Financing, and What Are the Terms?
Many clinics partner with medical financing companies. Understand the interest rate, repayment period, and what happens if you miss a payment. Avoid clinics that pressure you into financing decisions during the consultation.
Questions About Recovery and Results
11. What Does Your Post-Operative Care Protocol Include?
A thorough answer covers washing instructions, sleeping position guidance, activity restrictions, medication schedules (including finasteride and minoxidil recommendations), and a timeline for follow-up appointments. Clinics that hand you a single-page instruction sheet and send you home are offering the bare minimum.
12. What Is the Realistic Timeline for Final Results?
Honest answer: 12 to 18 months for full growth. Transplanted hair goes through a shedding phase at weeks 2 to 4, enters dormancy, then begins growing at months 3 to 4. Anyone promising visible results in 3 months is setting false expectations.
13. What Percentage of Your Patients Need Revision Procedures?
Most honest clinics report revision rates between 5% and 15%. A clinic claiming zero revision rates is either dishonest or performing so few procedures that statistical claims are meaningless.
Questions About Transparency
14. Can I Speak With Previous Patients?
Reputable clinics maintain a list of volunteer patients willing to share their experience. Speaking directly with someone who had your procedure 12 months ago provides perspective no marketing material can match.
15. What Are Your Negative Reviews About and How Did You Address Them?
Every clinic has some dissatisfied patients. The response to this question reveals character. Clinics that acknowledge issues and describe corrective actions demonstrate accountability. Clinics that dismiss all criticism or claim they have no negative feedback are hiding information.
Using These Questions Effectively
Before your consultation, know your starting point. Understanding your Norwood stage and approximate graft needs ensures you can evaluate whether the surgeon's recommendations are realistic. Use the free AI assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze to get your Norwood classification and estimated graft range before any clinic conversation.
Take notes during every consultation. Compare answers across at least 3 clinics. The differences in how clinics respond to these questions will tell you more than their marketing ever will.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a reputable hair transplant clinic?
Check the ISHRS and ABHRS directories for certified surgeons in your area. Cross-reference names on independent review sites like RealSelf and HairRestorationNetwork. A reputable clinic will answer all your questions openly and provide verifiable credentials without hesitation.
What credentials should a hair transplant surgeon have?
At minimum, the surgeon should hold ISHRS membership and ideally ABHRS board certification. They should have at least 5 years of dedicated hair transplant experience with a documented case volume. Ask for their medical license number and verify it directly with the licensing authority.
How do I know if before/after photos are real?
Real photos show consistent lighting, angles, and backgrounds. Look for natural skin markers like moles that appear in both before and after images. Ask for unedited photos with dates and request to see results at 12 months or longer, not just early post-op images.
This article is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified medical professional before making treatment decisions. Hair transplant outcomes vary based on individual factors including donor density, hair characteristics, and adherence to post-operative care protocols.