1. Introduction

Sandton Hair Transplant Clinic respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your data in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable South African laws.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Contact details: Full name, phone number, email address, physical address
• Medical information: Medical history, current medications, allergies, previous surgeries, scalp condition photographs
• Payment information: Banking details, proof of payment, invoice records
• Consultation records: Treatment plans, surgeon notes, before-and-after photographs
• Website usage: IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent on site (via cookies)

3. How We Use Your Information

Your personal information is used strictly for the following purposes:

• To schedule and manage your consultations and procedures
• To communicate with you regarding appointments, pre-op instructions, and follow-up care
• To process payments and maintain financial records
• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations
• To improve our services and website experience
• With your explicit consent, to display anonymized before-and-after results for educational purposes

We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Medical Photography & Consent

Clinical photographs are taken as a standard part of your medical record. These images are stored securely and accessed only by your treating medical team.

Any use of your photographs for marketing, website display, or educational materials requires your separate, explicit written consent. You may withdraw this consent at any time by contacting us in writing.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encrypted storage of all digital medical records
• Password-protected access limited to authorized staff
• Secure physical storage of paper records
• Regular security audits and staff training on data protection

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your data, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

6. Data Retention

Medical records are retained for a minimum of 6 years after your last visit, as required by South African medical regulations. After this period, records are securely destroyed unless you request otherwise or ongoing treatment necessitates retention.

Marketing consent records and correspondence are retained for as long as you remain an active patient or until you withdraw consent.

7. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a data subject, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or outdated information
• Request deletion of your personal information where legally permissible
• Object to the processing of your information for direct marketing
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa

To exercise any of these rights, email us at info@sandtonhairtransplantclinic.co.za with proof of identity.

8. Cookies & Tracking

Our website uses essential cookies to ensure proper functionality. We do not use third-party advertising cookies. Analytics cookies help us understand website traffic anonymously. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, though this may affect site functionality.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Significant changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on our website. The date at the top of this page indicates the last revision.

11. Contact Our Information Officer

For privacy-related inquiries, data access requests, or complaints, contact:
Email: info@sandtonhairtransplantclinic.co.za
Phone: +27 72 095 8324
Address: 11 Amalinda Road, Sandown, Sandton, Johannesburg