Is It Safe to Get a Hair Transplant in Mexico?

Hair loss is a common issue faced by both men and women. According to the American Hair Loss Association, androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male pattern baldness, is the cause of 95% of hair loss in men. By the time men reach the age of 35, about two-thirds of them will discover they are losing their hair. The number increases to 85% of men by the time they reach the age of 50.

Most men who experience male pattern baldness want to change it in any way possible. All aspects of life are affected when a man has male pattern baldness. The devastating nature of male pattern baldness leads men to look for ways to “cure” or reverse the condition. Men search for treatments such as medication or hair transplant procedures.

Medical Tourism

Have you ever heard the term medical tourism? That’s when someone travels outside their own country to get medical care. Millions of US residents travel to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, or countries in Central America and South America to receive medical care.

Why do people travel for medical care? For various reasons, including:

• Cost: some treatments or procedures may be less expensive elsewhere.
• Culture: some people travel to be treated by a doctor from their own country or region.
• Unavailable procedures: some countries offer procedures or treatments that aren’t readily available in the US.

The most common procedures that lead to medical tourism are dental care, fertility treatments, surgery, cosmetic surgery, cancer treatments, and organ or tissue transplants.

The Risks

As with any procedure anywhere, there are risks involved in hair transplant procedures done in Mexico. The risk of complications depends on several factors. Those include, but aren’t limited to, your destination, the clinic or hospital where you are being treated, and your overall physical and mental health.

Minimize the Risks

There are ways to minimize the risks with procedures regardless of where you have them performed. Here are a few ways to reduce the general risks when traveling for a medical procedure, such as a hair transplant in Mexico.

1. Get a consultation before you travel. Don’t just consult with your specialist regarding your procedure; get an overall health consultation. Ensure that you are well enough physically and mentally to travel before and after your procedure. You might consider travel health insurance that will cover you being evacuated home in the case of an emergency. Find out what activities will be permitted after your procedure before you decide to make vacation plans.
2. Have copies of your health and medical records available. Make sure you include any lab test results. Keep a record of any allergies, and share that with the providers at your destination. Take your medications with you in a travel kit and bring copies of your prescriptions along with a list of every medicine (even over-the-counter ones) you take. Make sure to obtain any records from the clinic to add to your pack before you leave for home.
3. Do the research. Know what your chosen healthcare provider’s qualifications are. Check for licensing and accreditation. The facility’s credentials are important too. If you don’t speak the language, find out how communication will be handled ahead of time—does the clinic staff speak English, or will you need a translator?
4. Arrange your after-procedure care before you go for the procedure. How long will you be required to stay in the country? Will you be in a hospital, or will you be in a hotel? When do you follow up with the surgeon? When do you need to follow up with a physician in the US? Arrange any follow-up care you will need in the US before you leave to ease the process when you get back.

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) recommends that all patients be proactive and ask their caregivers questions regarding licensing and credentials for everyone involved in performing the procedure. They specifically suggest asking if anyone who isn't licensed by the state will be taking part in the procedure and what that person’s role will be in the transplant surgery. Finding out if the clinic and physicians carry malpractice insurance is also recommended.

The Takeaway

Reputable doctors and clinics exist in Mexico to complete the hair transplant procedure. No matter where you have a medical procedure done, you run some risks. Some risks are assumed simply because you are about to have a medical procedure. Be proactive with your own care, and you can help avoid some risks.  

If you have questions regarding hair transplant procedures in Mexico, contact EasyHairHub to learn more about the process and how they can help you through the hair transplant process in Mexico.