PHILIPPINES OR TURKIYE FOR A HAIR TRANSPLANT?

A strong hairline is like a strong handshake and can leave a lasting impression as the ultimate luxury item. As techniques improve and specialist clinics emerge, it’s little wonder that many men and women are flying to hair transplant clinics around the world, seeking to regain their hairlines (and confidence), while combining the perks of travel.

Years ago, Turkiye was the only destination for international travelers, but recently, the Philippines is emerging as a major player, with highly sought-after doctors and world class hair transplant clinics. Though Turkiye has had recent mishaps: A recent blanket warning to UK residents has been issued about traveling to Turkiye following a string of cosmetic surgery related deaths. Conversely, an estimated 200,000 people travel to the Philippines every year for medical tourism, according to one international journal. Here’s why:

The Philippines has long been renowned for training highly skilled and hard-working health professionals around the world. Local specialists are fast gaining international acclaim, especially in the area of aesthetic/cosmetic medicine. This is due in part to the influence of American cosmetic and medical treatments, a strong tradition of pageantry, and blended with warm Filipino hospitality. The Philippines has two national languages, English and Tagalog, which makes communication a breeze. In addition, the staff at Clinique de Paris can speak French, Spanish, Filipino dialects and basic Arabic.

As of 2023, citizens of 159 countries can enter the Philippines without a visa. Post COVID, entry requires the filling of a simple online form to demonstrate vaccination, without quarantine. Clinique de Paris is the premiere choice for hair transplants in the Philippines, located opposite the high-end Greenbelt 5 mall. While in Manila, you may choose to indulge in some shopping or local delicacies, tour the historic monuments of Intramuros, or venture forth to the 7000+ islands to see the best reefs and marine life in the world (be reminded that swimming is recommended before, or two weeks after the hair transplant).

Filipinos are known for their welcoming and friendly nature, who are always welcoming and helpful to foreigners. The sunny disposition is matched by the weather- Manila is consistently warm at 20-24 degrees Celsius all year round, with the dry season between November to May each year.

Clinique de Paris is the leading hair transplant clinic in the Philippines, since 2014, and combines French Luxury with award-winning Filipino service. It is part of the Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) network of 75+ clinics around the world, who have been the leaders in the industry since 1970. The staff at Clinique de Paris specialize in hair transplants and do 100’s of cases each year of varying ages, ethnicities and stages of balding.

Hair transplants have moved from being an open secret to a milestone to celebrate, normalized by the rich and famous, and matched by skilled surgeons and specialist clinics. Be sure to do your research before arriving; ask for a virtual consultation to meet the team, read customer reviews and ideally see the clinic’s results to assess their track record. Ask who will be doing the procedure (some clinics allow non-doctors to implant!), and check what type of procedure they will do, i.e. FUT (strip), FUE (plugs), DHI (micro grafts).

Finally, it is important to understand that although hair transplants are painless, they can take several hours and are a big procedure. The investment to your hairline can be the stepping-stone for new opportunities in life and your career, or just a gift for yourself. Hair transplants are no longer something to confess, but are now celebrated as a luxury must-have, worth flying for.