Medical expert advises against ‘cheap’ hair transplants abroad
|Published
Cosmetic surgery tourism has become increasingly popular due to its local affordability.
Many companies offer package deals that combine surgery with vacation specials which often promise top-notch medical care in private hospitals with highly trained staff.
However, experts warn that it's challenging to verify the qualifications of surgeons outside the US, which can lead to risks such as complications and unsatisfactory results.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) advises caution, emphasising that patients might unknowingly choose unqualified surgeons and non-accredited facilities.
Engaging in vacation activities post-surgery, like sunbathing or alcohol consumption, can jeopardise recovery and lead to health risks.
In 2022, Columbia stood out with 30% of its plastic surgery patients coming from abroad, highlighting a growing trend in medical tourism for cosmetic procedures worldwide.
Hair transplant procedures have become particularly popular among medical tourists seeking affordable options to restore their hairlines. However, experts caution that opting for cheaper treatments overseas can pose significant risks.
For instance, Bollywood star Salman Khan's experience serves as a cautionary tale; after a procedure abroad, he faced severe complications, leading him to shave his head.
Celebrities are not the only ones at risk. The burgeoning medical tourism industries in countries like Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have also seen cases where patients received substandard care from unscrupulous practitioners.
Dr Kashmal Kalan, the medical director at Alvi Armani clinic in Sandton, stresses that while hair transplants offer effective and long-lasting results, they are surgical procedures requiring thorough research and consideration.
Patients should approach such treatments with care to ensure safety and satisfactory outcomes.
Kalan cautioned against opting for clinics in countries with competitive cosmetic surgery markets, often luring patients with low prices and special offers, promising high-quality results at a fraction of the cost.
He warned: “When it comes to surgery, any Black Friday deals, half-price specials, or all-expenses-paid packages should be viewed with scepticism, and treated with extreme caution. You wouldn’t trust someone offering a ‘20% off your next heart surgery’ special, so why risk it with your scalp?”
He highlighted the challenge of verifying credentials and ensuring satisfactory outcomes from clinics abroad.
Despite the allure of affordability, Kalan suggested that South Africa offers premium hair restoration services from reputable clinics, emphasising that quality often justifies the price tag.
He pointed out additional risks beyond financial savings. He noted a rising trend of patients seeking corrective procedures after experiencing poor results from overseas surgeries.
These cases typically involve clinics with less experienced doctors and inadequate facilities, despite initial promises of cost-effective treatments.
Kalan added that there are also other expenses, intended or not, which one must consider before selecting a clinic: “We are seeing an alarming rise in the number of patients seeking help to fix the results of a failed or poor-quality hair transplant procedure.
This comes after they’ve visited less well-equipped clinics abroad with relatively inexperienced doctors who’ve enticed patients with below-average prices.
Kalan pointed out that many patients seek corrective procedures at his clinic months or years after visiting budget clinics abroad, where their initial transplants failed.
He said that fixing these mistakes is not only more costly but also more challenging than choosing a reputable clinic initially.
He added: “Another serious consideration is the potential impact your post-op flight might have on your scalp following the procedure.
“Some swelling and sensitivity of the scalp are normal for a few days after surgery, causing slight discomfort – something that calls for the comfort of one’s own home instead of an uncomfortable, lengthy flight.
“Staying in the host country to see the sights and visit tourist attractions is also not ideal directly after undergoing a medical operation.
“Even more critically, the plane’s lower air pressure may impact how well the scalp heals, how quickly the swelling goes down, and how much oxygen the cells receive to heal and for the grafts to take properly.
“We usually recommend that patients not travel for at least a week after their procedure.”
“There’s a saying that local is lekker and this applies to hair transplants as well. Patients should seek advice and treatment from hair restoration professionals with specific expertise in the field for the best results – and ideally one that is closer to home, if possible.”