How to check a clinic, clinician and product in Türkiye

Before you book an aesthetic procedure in Türkiye, check three things: who will carry out the procedure and what their qualification is, whether the facility is authorised to provide the service, and exactly which product will be used, including its name and batch number. Ask for all of this in writing, together with a written plan, before the day of the procedure. If any of these answers is missing, vague or refused, take that as a reason to pause rather than proceed.

We coordinate visits to independent partner clinics in Istanbul. We are not a clinic and we do not make clinical decisions; those belong to the clinician carrying out the procedure. The checks below are ones any visitor can reasonably make, whoever arranges the appointment.

Check who will carry out the procedure

The person who assesses you and the person who injects or operates the device should be named before the appointment. Injectable and many energy-based procedures depend on medical judgement, so the professional background of that person matters. It is reasonable to ask:

• What is the clinician's full name and professional title, and are they a doctor, a dentist or another registered health professional?

• Which professional body or registration applies to them, and can they give you the details so you can look it up?

• How often do they carry out this specific procedure?

• Will the same person assess you, carry out the procedure and be the contact for follow-up questions?

A clinician who is comfortable with these questions will usually answer them directly. Hesitation is not proof of a problem, but it is a reason to ask again.

Check the facility's authorisation

Türkiye has a formal framework for health tourism. HealthTürkiye, the platform set up by the state company USHAŞ under the Ministry of Health, explains that healthcare facilities serving international patients need to hold an International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate under the 2017 regulation on international health tourism. The platform publishes information on certified providers and a list of authorised facilitators.

Practical questions to put to the clinic or to whoever is arranging your visit:

• What is the registered name of the facility, and does it hold the authorisation relevant to international patients?

• Is the procedure carried out in a clinical room within that facility?

• Who at the facility is responsible if something does not go as planned, and how are they reached?

Registers change, so check the current information on the official platform yourself rather than relying on a screenshot or a claim in an advert.

Check the product: name, batch and licensing

The product matters as much as the person. For injectables, ask for the brand name of the product, the manufacturer, the batch or lot number and the expiry date, and ask to see the sealed packaging before it is opened. In Türkiye, medicines and medical devices are overseen by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK), so you can ask whether the product is authorised for use there.

Licensing is only part of the picture; how a product is used also matters. In March 2023 the WHO Regional Office for Europe reported cases of iatrogenic botulism among people who had received botulinum toxin injected into the stomach as a weight-loss procedure in Türkiye. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that the products involved were licensed but had been used off-label for that purpose, and it advised against that procedure. These were not cosmetic facial procedures, but the episode shows why it is worth asking what the product is, whether the proposed use is an established one, and who decided on it.

Ask for a written plan before the day

A written plan turns a conversation into something you can check. It does not need to be long, but it should be specific. A complete plan usually lists:

• the procedure proposed and the areas involved

• the product or device by name

• the clinician who will carry it out

• what aftercare is expected and who to contact with questions

• the fee, confirmed in writing before you agree

Keep the consent form and the plan together. If the plan changes on the day, ask for the change to be written down as well.

Red flags worth taking seriously

Some signs suggest you should stop and reconsider, even if you have already travelled:

• A product in unlabelled syringes or vials, or packaging you are not allowed to see.

• Pressure to decide quickly, such as a discount that expires today or a suggestion to add areas you did not ask about.

• No written record of the product, the clinician or the plan.

• A procedure offered outside a clinical setting.

• Reluctance to say who will carry out the procedure, or a change of clinician without explanation.

• Promises about specific outcomes.

Walking away at this point may feel awkward, but it is a legitimate choice.

How we fit into these checks

When we arrange a consultation, we can pass your questions to the partner clinic and ask for the clinician's details, the product information and the written plan to be shared with you in advance. We do not assess you or choose the product. If you are not satisfied with an answer, you are free to decline the appointment.

Where can I find information on authorised health tourism facilities in Türkiye?

HealthTürkiye, the platform set up under Türkiye's Ministry of Health, publishes information on certified healthcare providers and authorised facilitators. Check it directly, as the information can change.

What product details should I ask for?

Ask for the brand name, the manufacturer, the batch or lot number and the expiry date, and ask to see the sealed packaging. Keep a written note of these details for any future procedure.

Were the 2023 botulism cases linked to cosmetic injections?

The cases reported by the WHO and ECDC in 2023 followed botulinum toxin injected into the stomach as a weight-loss procedure, not facial aesthetic injections. They are a reminder to ask how and why a product is being used.

Is it acceptable to cancel after I have arrived?

Yes. If an answer worries you, or a red flag appears, you can decline the procedure. Agreeing to an appointment is not agreeing to a procedure.

If you would like help arranging a consultation in Istanbul, message our coordinators on WhatsApp or through the contact form. We will ask the partner clinic for the clinician, facility and product details in writing; the assessment and advice come from the clinician carrying out the procedure.