METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY
How We Evaluate Clinics
How We Evaluate Clinics
A structured, published framework applied consistently to every clinic we assess — so you can verify our standards, not just take our word for them.
A structured, published framework applied consistently to every clinic we assess — so you can verify our standards, not just take our word for them.
Most people choosing a hair transplant clinic are doing it blind. Clinics produce their own marketing, their own before-and-after photos, and their own testimonials. Comparison platforms are usually funded by the clinics they compare. FOLiQA's evaluation exists to give patients a structured, independent basis for the decision — one that applies the same criteria to every clinic, regardless of any commercial relationship.
Most people choosing a hair transplant clinic are doing it blind. Clinics produce their own marketing, their own before-and-after photos, and their own testimonials. Comparison platforms are usually funded by the clinics they compare. FOLiQA's evaluation exists to give patients a structured, independent basis for the decision — one that applies the same criteria to every clinic, regardless of any commercial relationship.
The Non-Negotiable: Surgeon Involvement
The Non-Negotiable: Surgeon Involvement
Disqualifier: If the named surgeon does not personally perform the graft extraction, the clinic is not assessed further and cannot be referred — regardless of any other quality. This is the single most important variable in hair transplant outcomes.
Disqualifier: If the named surgeon does not personally perform the graft extraction, the clinic is not assessed further and cannot be referred — regardless of any other quality. This is the single most important variable in hair transplant outcomes.
In many Turkish clinics, graft extraction — the most technically demanding part of the procedure — is performed by technicians, not the surgeon. The surgeon may appear for photographs or the hairline design only. Patients are often unaware this has happened until they see inconsistent results. FOLiQA verifies surgeon involvement through direct mystery-shopper enquiry and patient community research before any score is assigned.
In many Turkish clinics, graft extraction — the most technically demanding part of the procedure — is performed by technicians, not the surgeon. The surgeon may appear for photographs or the hairline design only. Patients are often unaware this has happened until they see inconsistent results. FOLiQA verifies surgeon involvement through direct mystery-shopper enquiry and patient community research before any score is assigned.
The Four Dimensions
The Four Dimensions
Clinics that pass the surgeon involvement check are scored across four dimensions. Each dimension is scored 1–10 and multiplied by its weight. The maximum total is 100.
Clinics that pass the surgeon involvement check are scored across four dimensions. Each dimension is scored 1–10 and multiplied by its weight. The maximum total is 100.
01 — Clinical quality
Weight ×4 — Maximum 40 points. The most heavily weighted dimension. We assess surgeon credentials, technique documentation, patients per day, dermatologist access, and graft survival data.
01 — Clinical quality
Weight ×4 — Maximum 40 points. The most heavily weighted dimension. We assess surgeon credentials, technique documentation, patients per day, dermatologist access, and graft survival data.
02 — Transparency
Weight ×2.5 — Maximum 25 points. Can you find out who your surgeon is before you book? Is pricing published? Does the clinic disclose their patient load and revision policy?
02 — Transparency
Weight ×2.5 — Maximum 25 points. Can you find out who your surgeon is before you book? Is pricing published? Does the clinic disclose their patient load and revision policy?
03 — Patient experience
Weight ×2 — Maximum 20 points. Pre-procedure communication, international logistics, post-operative on-site care, and long-term responsiveness to patient questions.
03 — Patient experience
Weight ×2 — Maximum 20 points. Pre-procedure communication, international logistics, post-operative on-site care, and long-term responsiveness to patient questions.
04 — Outcomes data
Weight ×1.5 — Maximum 15 points. Quality of before-and-after documentation, graft count accuracy, published clinical data, and — as our database grows — our own patient satisfaction scores at six and twelve months.
04 — Outcomes data
Weight ×1.5 — Maximum 15 points. Quality of before-and-after documentation, graft count accuracy, published clinical data, and — as our database grows — our own patient satisfaction scores at six and twelve months.
What the Scores Mean
What the Scores Mean
Below 65 — Not referred
Below 65 — Not referred
Does not meet FOLiQA's minimum standard. We will not include this clinic in any recommendation.
Does not meet FOLiQA's minimum standard. We will not include this clinic in any recommendation.
65–79 — Eligible
65–79 — Eligible
Meets the minimum standard. May be appropriate depending on your specific profile and priorities.
Meets the minimum standard. May be appropriate depending on your specific profile and priorities.
80–89 — Recommended
80–89 — Recommended
A strong performer across all dimensions. Receives the FOLiQA Recommended designation.
A strong performer across all dimensions. Receives the FOLiQA Recommended designation.
90–100 — Verified Excellence
90–100 — Verified Excellence
Candidate for our future Verified Excellence certification — the highest designation we will award.
Candidate for our future Verified Excellence certification — the highest designation we will award.
How the Research is Conducted
How the Research is Conducted
Every clinic in our database goes through the same four-step process before a score is assigned.
Every clinic in our database goes through the same four-step process before a score is assigned.
01 — Desk research
01 — Desk research
Full website audit, surgeon credential verification against the Turkish Medical Association register and ISHRS directory, community research on r/HairTransplants, and review of a minimum of 20 before-and-after cases.
Full website audit, surgeon credential verification against the Turkish Medical Association register and ISHRS directory, community research on r/HairTransplants, and review of a minimum of 20 before-and-after cases.
02 — Mystery-shopper contact
02 — Mystery-shopper contact
We send an enquiry as a prospective patient and document the response. Does the clinic confirm surgeon involvement in writing? Do they disclose patient load? Do they provide a revision policy?
We send an enquiry as a prospective patient and document the response. Does the clinic confirm surgeon involvement in writing? Do they disclose patient load? Do they provide a revision policy?
03 — Score assignment
03 — Score assignment
Each dimension is scored against our internal framework parameters. No single parameter is passed or failed in isolation — scores reflect the full picture within each dimension.
Each dimension is scored against our internal framework parameters. No single parameter is passed or failed in isolation — scores reflect the full picture within each dimension.
04 — Review and maintenance
04 — Review and maintenance
Scores are reviewed every six months. A clinic whose score drops below 65 is suspended from referrals immediately. A clinic involved in a serious patient complaint is suspended regardless of its score, pending investigation.
Scores are reviewed every six months. A clinic whose score drops below 65 is suspended from referrals immediately. A clinic involved in a serious patient complaint is suspended regardless of its score, pending investigation.
What This Means for Your Report
What This Means for Your Report
Your FOLiQA assessment applies this framework to your case in practical terms — what your profile means for clinic selection, which dimensions matter most given your specific situation, and what red flags are most relevant to watch for. Every clinic FOLiQA would ever refer to has been evaluated against this framework and cleared the surgeon involvement check first.
Your FOLiQA assessment applies this framework to your case in practical terms — what your profile means for clinic selection, which dimensions matter most given your specific situation, and what red flags are most relevant to watch for. Every clinic FOLiQA would ever refer to has been evaluated against this framework and cleared the surgeon involvement check first.
If you want specific clinics evaluated and scored against the framework for your case, that is available as a follow-up step after your initial assessment. At that point, any applicable referral fees will be disclosed in full before you make any decision.
If you want specific clinics evaluated and scored against the framework for your case, that is available as a follow-up step after your initial assessment. At that point, any applicable referral fees will be disclosed in full before you make any decision.
© 2026 FOLiQA Health ehf. All rights reserved.
FOLiQA is not a medical service. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice. Consult a qualified medical professional before making any health-related decision.
© 2026 FOLiQA Health ehf. All rights reserved.
FOLiQA is not a medical service. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice. Consult a qualified medical professional before making any health-related decision.