Choosing the wrong hair transplant clinic can cost thousands of dollars and produce results that require expensive revision surgery. Patients who research clinics independently have 45% lower revision rates. Use this complete checklist to evaluate any clinic before booking a procedure.
Pre-Consultation Red Flags
1. No Surgeon Credentials Listed on the Website
A reputable clinic prominently displays surgeon biographies, board certifications, and ISHRS membership. If you cannot find specific surgeon credentials on the website, that is the first red flag.
What to look for:
- Board certification in dermatology or plastic surgery
- ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) membership
- Fellowship training in hair restoration
- Published case studies or research
2. Discount-Driven Marketing
Clinics that lead with "50% off this month" or "limited-time graft pricing" are prioritizing volume over quality. Reputable clinics maintain consistent pricing because their results speak for themselves.
| Marketing Style | Likely Clinic Quality |
|---|---|
| Consistent pricing, no pressure | High quality |
| Seasonal promotions with clear terms | Moderate (evaluate further) |
| Aggressive discounts, artificial deadlines | Low quality, high risk |
| "Free consultation only this week" | Sales-focused, not patient-focused |
3. No Verifiable Before-and-After Gallery
Every clinic should have an extensive gallery showing:
- Patients at various Norwood stages (2 through 7)
- Consistent photo angles and lighting
- Graft counts labeled on each case
- Multiple timepoints (pre-op, 6 months, 12 months)
If the gallery shows fewer than 20 cases or only displays the best outcomes, the clinic may be hiding inconsistent results.
4. Technician-Only Procedures
Some clinics advertise a well-known surgeon but use unlicensed technicians for the actual extraction and implantation. Ask directly: "Will the surgeon perform the extraction and implantation, or will technicians handle parts of the procedure?"
During-Consultation Red Flags
5. Sales Staff Conducting Medical Assessments
Your Norwood stage and graft count should be determined by a surgeon, not a patient coordinator or sales representative. If a non-medical staff member assesses your hair loss and recommends a procedure, leave.
6. Graft Count Far Outside Expected Range
Use independent data to verify the clinic's graft recommendation.
| Norwood Stage | Expected Graft Range |
|---|---|
| Norwood 2 | 800-1,500 |
| Norwood 3 | 1,500-2,200 |
| Norwood 3V | 2,000-2,800 |
| Norwood 4 | 2,500-3,500 |
| Norwood 5 | 3,000-4,500 |
| Norwood 6 | 4,000-6,000 |
| Norwood 7 | 5,500-7,500 |
If a clinic recommends significantly more grafts than the expected range for your stage, they may be inflating the count to increase the bill. Read a real case study of missed red flags to see how graft inflation works in practice.
7. No Donor Area Assessment
A proper consultation must include a thorough donor area evaluation. The surgeon should measure donor density, check for miniaturization, and discuss the safe extraction limit (typically 45% of available donor follicles). Skipping this step means the clinic cannot accurately predict how many grafts are available.
8. No Hairline Design Discussion
The surgeon should spend time designing your new hairline collaboratively. This includes:
- Discussing age-appropriate positioning
- Considering future hair loss progression
- Showing you a preview in the mirror
- Explaining the golden ratio (1.618) for natural proportions
9. Pressure to Book Immediately
"We have a cancellation next week" or "This price expires tomorrow" are sales tactics, not medical advice. A reputable clinic encourages you to take time, seek second opinions, and make an informed decision.
10. No Written Treatment Plan
After your consultation, you should receive a detailed written treatment plan including:
- Diagnosed Norwood stage with explanation
- Recommended graft count (range, not just a single number)
- Procedure type (FUE, FUT, or DHI) with rationale
- Itemized cost breakdown
- Expected recovery timeline
- Aftercare program details
Post-Booking Red Flags
11. No Pre-Operative Instructions
Quality clinics send detailed pre-op instructions 2-4 weeks before the procedure. These should cover medications to stop (blood thinners, vitamin E), alcohol and caffeine restrictions, and what to bring on procedure day.
12. Consent Form Lacks Detail
The consent form should list specific risks, expected graft survival rates (90-95% for FUE), possible complications, and what happens if results are unsatisfactory. A vague, one-page consent form is inadequate.
Procedure Day Red Flags
13. Surgeon Absence During Critical Steps
The surgeon should be present for extraction and implantation. If the surgeon only appears for the initial hairline marking and then leaves technicians to complete the work, the quality of individual graft handling may suffer.
14. No Graft Counting or Verification
Extracted grafts should be counted and sorted under magnification. You have the right to know the exact number of grafts extracted and implanted. Clinics that provide only an "approximate" count may be cutting corners.
15. No Pre-Procedure Photography
Standardized before photos from multiple angles are essential for tracking results. If the clinic skips this step, there is no baseline for measuring your outcome.
Aftercare Red Flags
16. No Structured Follow-Up Schedule
Quality clinics include 5-8 follow-up visits over 12-18 months. If the clinic only schedules a single check at Day 7-10, they are not invested in your long-term results. See the aftercare programs compared for detailed benchmarks.
17. No Medication Discussion
Finasteride (80-90% halt further loss, 65% regrowth) and minoxidil (40-60% regrowth) are standard post-transplant medications. A clinic that performs a transplant without discussing these options is leaving your long-term results to chance.
18. No Emergency Contact Available
For the first 14 days post-procedure, you need access to a medical professional who can address urgent concerns (infection signs, excessive swelling, graft dislodgement). A clinic-hours-only phone line is insufficient.
Quick-Score Your Clinic
Use this scoring system during your research:
| Category | Points Available |
|---|---|
| Surgeon credentials (board-certified + ISHRS) | 10 |
| Extensive before/after gallery (20+ cases) | 10 |
| Transparent, consistent pricing | 10 |
| Surgeon-led consultation (not sales staff) | 10 |
| Written treatment plan provided | 10 |
| Structured aftercare program (5+ visits) | 10 |
| Medication protocol discussed | 10 |
| Hairline design collaboration | 10 |
| No pressure tactics | 10 |
| 24/7 post-op contact available | 10 |
Scoring guide:
- 80-100: Strong candidate
- 60-79: Proceed with caution, investigate weak areas
- Below 60: Look elsewhere
Get Your Independent Data First
Before visiting any clinic, get your free Norwood stage assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze. Having independent data on your hair loss stage and graft needs is your strongest tool for spotting the red flags on this checklist.
Medical disclaimer: This checklist is designed to help patients make informed decisions but does not constitute medical advice. Credentials, regulations, and standards vary by country and region. Always verify a clinic's licensing with your local medical board. Consult multiple board-certified surgeons before making a treatment decision.