Last updated: November 2, 2026 · Written by Juan · Based on ISHRS patient guidance and our own research guides (linked below)
This checklist is educational only. It is not medical advice, and I am not a doctor. Only a qualified surgeon who examines you can tell you whether a hair transplant is right for you. See our Editorial Policy for how we research our content.
A consultation is your best chance to find out who will treat you, what they recommend and why, and what you will pay. It is also easy to come out of one having forgotten half your questions. This checklist collects the questions worth asking in one place, so you can take it with you, tick them off as you go and compare clinics on the same basis.
Tick the questions as you get answers, or use the button to print the list or save it as a PDF before your appointment.
Hair Transplant Consultation Checklist
1Before the consultation
Prepare these so the surgeon can assess your case properly.
2Who will treat you
The ISHRS recommends asking these questions directly.
3Your case
A good surgeon explains the reasons behind the plan.
4Results
The ISHRS advises viewing several before and after photos.
5Price and paperwork
Get the answers in writing before you pay a deposit.
6Aftercare and travel
!Red flags
Based on ISHRS warnings. One of these is a reason to ask more questions. Several are a reason to walk away.
- No doctor examines you, or the consultation is only with a salesperson.
- Technicians do the surgery without a doctor supervising.
- The before and after photos cannot be shown to come from this clinic.
- The clinic will not tell you who performs each step.
- You are pressed to pay a deposit quickly, or the offer seems too good to be true.
- Results are “guaranteed” without clear written terms.
From TheHairsHub (thehairshub.com). Educational checklist, not medical advice.
Where these questions come from
The questions about who treats you come from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), which recommends asking who will evaluate your hair loss, who will perform each part of the surgery, whether anyone without a medical licence will make incisions or harvest grafts, and whether everyone involved has malpractice insurance. The ISHRS launched its “Fight the FIGHT” campaign because, in its words, unlicensed clinics attract patients with “misleading advertising claims promising low prices and guaranteed results.”
The red flags are based on the ISHRS tips for avoiding bad clinics, which warn about surgery that is not supervised by a doctor, work delegated to technicians and before and after photos taken from other clinics. The ISHRS also advises viewing several before and after photos to judge a surgeon’s work. In the UK, the General Medical Council advises checking that your doctor is on its register and that the clinic is registered with the relevant regulator.
The questions about your case, the price and aftercare reflect what our research guides found matters most. Each one links to the guide that explains why.
How to use the answers
- Compare like with like. Use the same checklist at every clinic, so you can see which ones answered clearly and which ones avoided the question.
- Get the important answers in writing. Especially the graft count, what the price includes, the guarantee terms and the deposit terms.
- Notice how the clinic responds. A clinic that answers openly is a good sign. Vague answers, pressure to book quickly or reluctance to name the surgeon are worth taking seriously.
- Add up the full cost. Once you have a quote, our cost calculator adds travel, time off and medication.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to ask all these questions? No. A hair transplant is permanent surgery, and a good clinic expects you to ask. How a clinic reacts to direct questions is useful information in itself.
Can I ask these questions in an online or video consultation? Yes. Many international clinics start with an online consultation. Ask the same questions, and ask whether a doctor will examine you in person before surgery.
What if the clinic will not tell me who performs the surgery? Treat it as a serious warning sign. Our guide to choosing a clinic safely explains why this matters so much.
This checklist is for information only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified, licensed doctor or surgeon before making any decision about treatment.
Sources consulted: