Turkey Emerges as Hub for U.S. Hair‑Transplant Tourism
Istanbul has become a global center for hair‑transplant procedures, drawing large numbers of medical tourists—including many from the United States—because of sharply lower prices and bundled travel packages. Turkish industry and health‑tourism groups report millions of medical visitors and billions in spending in recent years, while medical organizations and the Turkish Health Ministry warn that rapid growth has produced oversight gaps, reports of botched procedures, and calls for increased inspections.
Health
International
Business
📌 Key Facts
- Around 1 million people reportedly traveled to Turkey in 2022 for hair transplants, spending about $2 billion, and Turkey received roughly 2 million medical tourists in 2024 generating close to $3 billion (Turkish Health Tourism Association / Turkish Health Ministry figures cited).
- U.S. patients are a major share: NPR reports one Istanbul clinic treats about 500 patients a year with roughly one‑third from the United States; quoted patient cost in Turkey (including airfare/lodging) was about $3,400 versus a U.S. average of about $13,000 (American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2023 study).
- Medical and professional bodies (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) have warned of unlicensed 'black market' clinics, infections, scarring and improper use of drugs; the Turkish Health Ministry has pledged stricter oversight and more inspections in response.