The black market for hair transplantation is a growing problem around the world. ISHRS has issued an open letter and is drawing attention to the dangers.
OPEN LETTER
ISHRS (International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery) is the world’s largest hair transplant association dedicated to physician education and patient safety. ISHRS has launched the “Fight the Fight” (“Fight the Fraud”) campaign to inform patients about fraudulent practices in the industry and to help them have a successful and safe procedure.
Unfortunately, many patients have been victims of fraud and unethical behavior by clinics that illegally allow people without credentials to perform surgeries. Patients who have been harmed or subjected to illegal surgeries can share their stories with ISHRS at: https://fightthefight.ishrs.org/contact/.
In Belgium and France, as well as in most European countries, foreign workers, such as those from Turkey, work illegally on tourist visas. They are not doctors and are usually not licensed to perform surgery, which is an additional crime – the illegal practice of medicine.
On the other hand, independent assistants in Europe, whether they are nurse practitioners or not, perform surgical procedures involving cutting and incision of the skin as part of the FUE procedure. In France, Belgium or Poland and other European countries, this is considered illegal medical practice.
Therefore, we ask you to inform us about any cases of hair transplants performed under such conditions. You can remain anonymous by submitting your story.
Share your story on the page above or send an email to: FUE.Fraud@gmail.com
Signed: ISHRS members
Black market for hair transplantation – a global problem and ways to fight back
The black market for hair transplantation is a growing problem around the world, especially in countries where the industry is growing rapidly. Patients are often tempted by low prices and aggressive marketing, but the reality is sometimes drastically different – the procedures are carried out by unqualified people, often in inadequate conditions, leading to serious health complications.
What is the black market for hair transplantation?
Illegal clinics and black marketers offer hair transplants without the required licenses and inspections. Typical practices include:
- Performing operations by people without medical qualifications – for example, technicians, nurses and even cosmetologists perform procedures that should be performed by doctors.
- Lack of proper sanitary standards – it is not uncommon for treatments to take place in uncertified offices or even in hotel rooms.
- The use of cheap, low-quality equipment and materials – which increases the risk of infection, scarring and poor acceptance of transplanted hair.
- False advertising and deceptive marketing practices – patients are promised professional treatment, while in reality mass, uncontrolled treatments are carried out.
Examples from different countries
Turkey – the epicenter of the black market
Turkey has the largest number of hair transplant facilities, but unfortunately it is also the main country where the black market thrives. There are many illegal clinics where the procedures are performed not by doctors, but by unqualified workers.
- The problem: Patients often fall prey to clinics offering treatments for suspiciously low prices. After surgery, instead of the promised result, many complain of infections, scarring and serious complications.
- Response: Turkish authorities have begun conducting inspections and closing down illegal facilities, but the problem still exists, mainly due to the large influx of foreign patients.
France and Belgium illegal practices in Europe
The problem in EU countries is the employment of unqualified assistants, often foreign workers without the right to practice medicine and without permission to work in the EU.
- The problem: In the European Union, hair transplants are performed by people without a medical license, often Turks or other foreign workers operating under the guise of tourist visas.
- Response: Medical organizations and lawyers have begun reporting such cases as the illegal practice of medicine, which can lead to fines and clinic closures.
India – operations under uncontrolled conditions
In India, many patients receive low-cost hair transplant services, but this is often done in substandard conditions.
- The problem: Performing surgeries in small, untested clinics, resulting in infections and serious damage to the scalp.
- Response: Local authorities are trying to regulate, but due to the size of the country and the large number of illegal clinics, control is difficult.
How is the black market being fought?
1. information campaigns
Organizations such as the ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) are conducting patient education campaigns to inform patients of the risks. The “Fight the Fight” campaign helps sufferers report scams and illegal practices.
2. prosecution of illegal clinics
In many countries, governments and medical organizations inspect clinics, close those that operate illegally, and impose severe financial penalties. Such measures are lacking in Poland.
3. verification of doctors and clinics
Patients are encouraged to check the licenses and qualifications of doctors before surgery. In some countries (e.g. USA, UK, Poland – registry.nil.org.pl ) there are official registries of doctors specializing in hair transplantation.
4. compliance with visa regulations
Some countries are tightening controls on medical workers on tourist visas.
How to protect yourself from fraud? Red falgs.
Non-Polish speakers – if your procedure in Poland is performed by a person who does not speak Polish, you can be sure that he or she does not have a PWZ (right to practice medicine) and is probably not a doctor. To practice medicine in Poland, doctors are required to pass a state exam in Polish. You can check a person’s qualifications in the register of doctors of the Supreme Chamber of Physicians.
Ads without the doctor’s name – if search engine and social media ads show only the name of the clinic and not a specific doctor – this could be a sign of fraud. Go to the clinic’s website and check who the person performing the procedures is, whether the doctor’s name is listed there.
Lack of information about the doctor on the website – if there is no specific information about the team and the person who performs a particular procedure on the website – beware. When planning another plastic surgery procedure, such as a nose job, would you want to go to a random person and one without medical training?
Avoid suspiciously low prices – quality comes at a price, and cheap deals can mean a scam.
Read reviews and experiences of other patients – avoid clinics with numerous complaints.
Make sure the procedure takes place in a certified clinic – check whether the facility meets sanitary and medical standards.
Report illegal practices – if you suspect fraud, you can report it on the ISHRS website: https://fightthefight.ishrs.org/contact/.
Examples of closed clinics around the world linked to the black market for hair transplants
While exact data on closed clinics is difficult to obtain, there are many reports of such cases around the world. Here are some examples:
1. Turkey – Istanbul, 2024
Turkey has been struggling with the black market for years. In 2024, the Turkish Ministry of Health closed dozens of illegal clinics in Istanbul that operated without accreditation. These facilities offered treatments for $600-1000, employing technicians instead of doctors. Patients reported infections, skin necrosis and failed transplants. Examples of closed clinics around the world linked to the black market for hair transplants in Turkey show the importance of regulation.
2. the United Kingdom – London, 2022
In the UK, where treatments are strictly regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC), several illegal clinics in London were closed in 2022. These facilities operated under the guise of travel agencies, offering low-cost FUE treatments. Unlicensed technicians performed the surgeries, resulting in serious complications, including permanent scarring. The British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) reported that such examples of closed clinics around the world linked to the hair transplant black market are on the rise.
3. the United States – Miami, 2021
In the U.S., where the hair transplant market is worth billions of dollars, there are also abuses. In 2021, an illegal clinic in Miami that advertised itself as “the cheapest option in Florida” was shut down. It turned out that the treatments were performed by technicians without medical training, and the alleged doctor did not have a valid license. Patients complained of unnatural hairlines and infections. Examples of closed clinics around the world linked to the black market for hair transplants in the US underscore the risks associated with the lack of regulation.
4th India – Delhi, 2023
India, another popular destination for medical tourism, is also facing a problem. In Delhi in 2023, authorities closed several facilities offering treatments at a fraction of the cost of legitimate clinics. These facilities operated in private apartments without proper sanitation. Patients reported cases of skin necrosis and loss of significant amounts of hair from the area. Examples of closed clinics linked to the black market for hair transplants in India point to the need for better patient education.
5th Middle East – Dubai, 2022
In Dubai, where medical tourism is booming, a clinic that operated without a license and employed technicians with minimal training closed in 2022. It offered “all-inclusive packages” for $1,500, which attracted patients from Europe. Unfortunately, many of them returned with serious complications, including irreversible damage to the donor area (over-harvesting). Examples of closed clinics around the world linked to the Dubai hair transplant black market show that even in developed regions the problem exists.
6th United States – New York, 2019
In New York State, physicians are required to adhere to strict professional and ethical standards.Violations of these standards, such as allowing unqualified technicians to perform medical procedures, can result in serious consequences, including the loss of a medical license. In 2019, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced the conviction of an unlicensed medical practitioner, highlighting the authorities’ determination to enforce medical practice regulations. To protect patients from illegal practices, medical authorities in New York regularly monitor and enforce medical practice regulations to ensure that all procedures are performed by properly qualified personnel.
Is it possible to fix a failed hair transplant?
A failed hair transplant can sometimes be fixed, but it depends on the individual case. If the problem is too little density or an unnatural-looking hairline, it can be corrected. On the other hand, if there is damage to the donor area – then scalp micropigmentation may be the solution to visually improve the aesthetic effect. Taking too many hair follicles during 1 procedure results in this being the first and last procedure ever. Doing the procedure judiciously and with medical art, a patient can have 4-5 FUE procedures in a lifetime.
You can read more about hair transplantation HERE. If the problem concerns you, we invite you to CONTACT us. You can also schedule a visit ON-LINE. Visit us on Instagram and TikTok.
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