Last updated: October 31, 2026 · Written by Juan · Researched using both clinics’ own websites, their press releases, a chamber of commerce report and public review listings (linked below)
This article is educational only. It is not medical advice, and it should not be your only source before choosing a clinic. I have no relationship with either clinic, and I have not been treated at either. Much of the information about clinics comes from the clinics themselves, and prices, staff and locations change, so confirm everything directly before booking. See our Editorial Policy for how we research and update our articles.
First, a warning about the name “Este”
“Este” appears in the names of many unrelated businesses in the Turkish hair transplant industry. Public listings show, for example, separate companies called Este in Turkey and Estecenter, each with its own website and review page. They are not the same business as Este Medical Group, and a good or bad review of one tells you nothing about the others.
This comparison is about Este Medical Group, the company led by CEO Sam Cinkir that operates clinics in the UK and abroad. If you are looking at a different “Este”, search for that exact company name and city before you read its reviews.
Quick comparison
| Vera Clinic | Este Medical Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Where surgery takes place | Istanbul, Turkey | Istanbul (Etiler, Beşiktaş), according to a May 2024 press release; a May 2025 press release also announced Robotic DHI surgery at its Birmingham clinic in the UK |
| Consultations | Online, then in Istanbul | In person at UK clinics, as well as abroad |
| Techniques it promotes | Sapphire FUE and DHI, with optional add-ons it calls OxyCure and stem cell support | DHI, including a “Robotic DHI” option |
| Published price | From €3,200; about €3,200 to €5,990 for up to 4,000 grafts, according to Vera Clinic’s cost page | No standard package price found; ask for a personal, written quote |
| Who operates | Not clearly stated; ask | Not clearly stated; ask |
Vera Clinic in more detail
Vera Clinic is an Istanbul clinic that serves international patients and also offers dental and cosmetic treatments. According to Vera Clinic’s cost page, its packages start at €3,200, a full FUE or DHI session of up to 4,000 grafts costs about €3,200 to €5,990, and the package includes the consultation, surgery, aftercare, medication, hotel and transfers. It promotes Sapphire FUE and DHI, with optional extras it calls OxyCure and stem cell support. Note that these are the clinic’s own figures and descriptions.
Who performs the surgery? Gökhan Vayni is often mentioned in connection with Vera Clinic. However, its own profile page describes him as Founder, Executive Board Member and Medical Coordinator, a management role, and it does not list surgical credentials. I could not find a clear public statement of which surgeon operates on each patient, so that is the first thing to ask.
What to check before booking:
- The name and qualifications of the surgeon assigned to your case, in writing.
- Which parts of the procedure the surgeon performs personally and which are done by technicians.
- Exactly what your package includes, and what OxyCure or stem cell add-ons cost if they are optional for you.
Este Medical Group in more detail
Este Medical Group is led by CEO Sam Cinkir. According to the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, the business was established in Turkey in 1994, Cinkir joined in 2012, and its first UK clinic opened in Birmingham in 2015. Its press releases describe a growing network: a May 2024 press release gives an Istanbul facility in Etiler, Beşiktaş, for DHI procedures; a May 2025 press release announced Robotic DHI surgery at its Birmingham clinic; and another May 2025 release describes its Nottingham clinic as handling consultations, planning and aftercare. It has also opened a clinic in Dubai, according to the Khaleej Times.
That means the location of your procedure depends on which service and branch you book, which affects the price, the travel involved and the surgeon. Press releases are written by the company, so treat them as its own description.
What to check before booking:
- That you are dealing with Este Medical Group itself, through its official website, and not a business with a similar name.
- Where your procedure will take place (UK, Istanbul or elsewhere), and the name and qualifications of the surgeon who will perform it.
- A written, itemized quote. I could not find a standard published package price, which is not unusual, but it makes a detailed quote essential.
Head-to-head: the main differences
Location model. With Vera, everything happens in Istanbul. Este Medical Group offers in-person consultations in the UK and, according to its 2025 announcement, Robotic DHI surgery in Birmingham, alongside its Istanbul facility. If you want to meet the clinic in person before travelling, Este’s UK presence is an advantage. Bear in mind that the person you see at a consultation may not be the surgeon who operates.
Price transparency. Vera publishes a price range on its website. Este Medical Group does not appear to, so compare the two only once you have written quotes for the same number of grafts and the same technique.
Surgeon transparency. Neither clinic, in what I could find, clearly states who operates on each patient. That is the most important question to ask both, and the answer should be in writing.
Reviews. Both clinics are listed on public review platforms. With Este, check that each review page belongs to Este Medical Group and not to a similarly named business. With both, look for reviews that describe the surgeon and the result after 12 months, not only the hotel and transfers. Our guide to spotting misleading before/after photos helps here.
How to decide between them
- You want everything in one place, with a published price: Vera’s Istanbul package is simpler to compare.
- You want to meet the clinic in the UK first: Este Medical Group’s UK clinics offer that.
- You want a named surgeon: ask both clinics for the surgeon’s name and qualifications in writing, and compare the answers.
- You are comparing on price: get same-scope, itemized quotes from both. Our guides to what Turkish packages include and choosing a clinic safely list what to ask.
Frequently asked questions
Is one of these clinics better than the other? Not on the public information available. Both offer similar core techniques, and the right choice depends more on whether you want a single Istanbul package or a UK-based consultation than on either clinic being clearly superior.
Why flag the “Este” name? Because many unrelated clinics use it, and confusing them could lead you to decide based on the wrong reviews. The same check is worth doing with any clinic name.
Should I trust online reviews for either clinic? They are a useful signal, but read both positive and negative reviews, check whether they were incentivized, and give most weight to reviewers who describe their surgeon and their result a year or more later. For more on Turkish clinics, see our Turkey clinics guide.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified, licensed surgeon and confirm all current details directly with any clinic before making any decision about surgery.
Sources consulted: Vera Clinic: Hair transplant cost; Vera Clinic: Gökhan Vayni profile; Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce: Este opens new UK practices (2021); Este Medical Group press release on DHI in Istanbul (2024); Este Medical Group press release on Robotic DHI in Birmingham (2025); Este Medical Group press release on its Nottingham clinic (2025); Trustpilot listings for Este in Turkey and Estecenter.