Mexico vs Turkey Hair Transplants: Which Is Better?

If you’re a man of a certain age, you’ve probably seen at least a few ads for Turkish hair transplants. Turkey, particularly Istanbul, is an wildly popular destination for hair transplants abroad, and some estimates say the hair transplant industry alone brought $2 billion into Turkey in 2022. But Turkey isn’t the only international destination for hair restoration surgery — medical tourism, including hair transplants, is also on the rise in Mexico (after a dip post-pandemic).

If you’re considering getting hair restoration abroad for a fraction of what you’d pay in the United States, you may wonder about Mexico vs. Turkey hair transplants.

Here, we’ll compare hair transplants in Mexico vs. Turkey, including cost, safety, efficacy, and more.

According to research from Statista, the cost of a hair transplant in Turkey vs. Mexico is pretty comparable.

The average cost of hair restoration surgery in Turkey (as of 2021) was $2,676, and the average cost in Mexico was $3,202. These estimates are well below the average cost of $13,610 for a hair transplant in the United States.

Some international clinics offer all-inclusive packages, which include the cost of the surgery, translator services, hotel accommodations, transportation to and from the airport, hair loss treatment medications, post-operative care, and more.

Regarding travel expenses, Mexico has a slight edge over Turkey for North American patients. Most all-inclusive packages do not include airfare and getting to Mexico is easier and cheaper for international patients from the United States and Canada. Accommodations in Mexico may be slightly less expensive, too.

You can find skilled hair transplant surgeons and reputable clinics in both Mexico and Turkey. However, Turkey is generally considered safer due to its long-standing reputation, more clinics specifically for hair transplants, and a higher volume of procedures. 

In May 2023, the Turkish government set forth new regulations for hair transplant clinics, requiring that they receive and maintain accreditation from the Turkish Health Ministry. (The official press release is written in Turkish, but a quick Google translation confirms these regulations.) 

It cites certain hygiene, safety, and ethical standards, including ensuring that doctors performing transplants have a dermatology or plastic surgery background, that patients undergo a medical examination before the surgery, and that they are informed of any risks. It also limits the number of daily transfers a clinic can perform per day based on its staffing numbers, and requires medical professionals includes nurses and techs to have appropriate training.

Despite this, it’s still possible for black market clinics to fly under the radar, so it’s essential to research both the clinic and the surgeon. 

But is it safe to get a hair transplant in Mexico? Mexico also has reputable clinics, especially in well-known cities like Tijuana and Mexico City, though the country doesn’t have as rigorous regulations as Turkey. 

When choosing a clinic in either Turkey or Mexico, it’s a good idea to find one that is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), which helps to ensure compliance with global healthcare standards. 

Research from 2020 on 427 people who traveled to Mexico as medical tourists found that most of those surveyed "felt that Mexican health care services are of the same or better quality compared with those in the United States, for a lower cost." It’s worth noting that these people did not travel for hair transplants specifically, but rather, most were there for dental work or to obtain antibiotics.

However, botched hair transplants do happen both from international and domestic clinics. 

The ISHRS reported that fixing botched hair transplants accounts for about 4 percent of total hair transplant surgeries.

There are three common hair transplant procedures — FUE, FUT, and DHI — all of which can be performed at reputable clinics in both Turkey and Mexico.

• FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): With this technique, individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor area (areas of the scalp where hair grows normally) and implanted into thinning or bald areas. It leaves tiny, nearly invisible scars and offers a faster recovery time.

• FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation): Also known as the “strip method,” this older technique involves removing a strip of scalp from the donor area. Follicles are then extracted from the strip under a microscope and implanted into sparse areas. It typically results in a more noticeable linear scar but can be more cost-effective and may yield a higher number of grafts in one session.

• DHI (Direct Hair Implantation): A more advanced version of FUE, DHI uses a special implanter pen that allows a surgeon to have precise control over depth, angle, and placement of each graft. Its known for its minimal scarring that is easily hidden by new hair growth.

You can learn more about the different types of hair transplant procedures in our guides to FUE vs. FUT and our explainer on DHI hair transplants.

According to census data from the International Society of Hair Restoration Society (ISHRS), approximately 59,877 hair transplants were performed in Mexico/Central and South America in 2021 (though it’s worth noting that this number is estimated from a small sample size).

It’s hard to find data on the exact number of people who sought hair transplants, specifically in Turkey, but we do know over 1.5 million medical tourists were visiting Turkey in 2024, accounting for approximately $3 billion.

It’s possible to get a successful hair transplant in both Turkey and Mexico, and it’s also possible to have a hair transplant gone wrong in either country. This is why it’s so important to research clinics and surgeons before committing to a hair transplant abroad. However, if you’re wondering if Turkey or Mexico is better for a hair transplant, here’s what to remember.

• Turkey is the gold standard for international hair transplants. With potentially millions of procedures performed annually, Turkey (especially Istanbul) has more reputable clinics and skilled surgeons specializing specifically in hair transplantation.

• Turkey currently has stricter regulations. Turkish clinics must meet certain requirements that ensure better hygiene, training, and medical oversight. Mexico does not have regulations on the same scale (though it may one day). However, it’s still essential to research clinics as black market clinics can and do exist.

• While both countries are significantly cheaper than the U.S., Turkey often includes comprehensive all-inclusive hair transplant packages and access to advanced techniques like DHI, making it a slightly more cost-effective option.

To learn more about hair transplants, check out our guides to hair transplant infections and minoxidil after a hair transplant.