Turkey is one of the most preferred places in the world for getting cosmetic surgery; and, that is largely because Turkey has proven to be successful and reliable in such procedures and has gained the world's trust in health. Every year, thousands of people visit the country for different procedures, especially hair transplantation. 

There are many reasons why hair transplantation in Turkey is so popular; the primary reason is that clinics operate on principles that focus on patient satisfaction. So how do they achieve this? Turkey’s secret of success lies in an advanced health sector, international recognition in hair transplantation, sensitivity to naturalness, and keeping up with the current medical technology.

In this article, we elaborate on hair transplant in Turkey in detail. So, if you’ve just started thinking about the procedure, but you have your doubts and are unsure about where you should have it done; or, if you’ve already decided to go through with the operation and you’re wondering how this process works in Turkey, this article guide you.

For any further questions you may have after reading the article, you can contact us immediately through our website. 

Patients who are interested in hair transplantation firstly want to know how the procedure is performed and what the results look like; and secondly, how much it costs. The answer to the first question is nearly the same everywhere as the technique of hair transplantation is conducted in much the same way in America, Europe, and Turkey; however, the answer to the second question changes drastically. In a clinic in Europe, the cost of such a procedure can go up to 3, sometimes 4 times the price in Turkey.

Last year, the procedure’s trade volume reached 1 million Dollars in Turkey, which is well above world standards regarding hair transplantation. And on top of the list of patients who got the procedure done, are our international visitors.

Why is Hair Transplantation Cheaper in Turkey?

Turkey offers high standard treatment and accommodation services for a third of the price. Two main reasons make it possible for the procedure to be much more affordable in Turkey:

The hair transplantation procedure requires teamwork. Subsequently, the success of the operation and obtaining the desired results depends greatly on how skilled the surgeon and the rest of the surgical team is. Unfortunately in Turkey, doctors, expert teams, and other institutions get paid a lot less compared to their peers in Europe.

For patients who come to Turkey, the cost of the procedure includes; accommodation and transportation expenses (except plane tickets), hospital or clinic costs in which the procedure will be conducted, and the cost of the equipment and medical supplies to be used during surgery. There is no compromise in quality regarding these. In Turkey, the treatment process is carried out to a high standard, but the costs are lower than in Europe or America, and this is reflected upon the more affordable prices of hair transplantation.

Why Get Hair Transplantation in Turkey

Hair transplantation is an approximately one-year process that starts with a preparatory period, followed by a recovery period and ends with the patient growing out new hair. In this process, informing and supporting the patient at every step largely determines the success of the results.

Thanks to the successful results obtained by hair transplantation many people get strong and natural-looking hair. As a result, every year Turkey attracts thousands of patients from around the world who also hope to achieve their desired looks.

The primary goal of hair transplantation in Turkey is patient satisfaction. From the moment you contact your clinic, experts make sure that you know what results to expect, that you are properly informed and that all your questions are answered as to eliminate any anxiety you may have before the procedure.

Hair transplantation is a cosmetic operation that seems simple, and is relatively easy when performed by the right experts under suitable conditions. However, full compliance with health protocols is compulsory in hair transplantation as it is in any operation. It should relieve your doubts to know that Turkey is very sensitive in this regard.

 Supporting the Patient Before and After Surgery

The process starts by determining whether the patient is suitable for hair transplantation, or not; and is then followed by a recovery period during which first, the planted hair falls out and second, new hair grows out.

Patients who are not suitable for the procedure must be informed during the preliminary interview for the patients to not be taken advantage of.

Patients who are suitable for the procedure must be informed realistically on the expected results, as to prevent the formation of a gap between the success of the operation and the expectations of the patient. 

During the recovery period after the operation, the patient must be supported in both care, maintenance, and other needs to achieve a successful result.

The Ministry of Health implements very strict controls to maintain the worldwide prestige Turkey has acquired in the health sector. Thanks to Turkey showing importance to such controls, it has been among the leading countries of the world in hair transplantation. Hair transplant clinics in Turkey are required to have the following standards:

• Operations should be performed by licensed surgeons from the Ministry of Health.

• The clinic must have certificates of compliance with international health standards.

• Operating room conditions and sterilization should be checked and found appropriate.

• The clinic must have certificates of compliance with international hair transplant procedures.

Since the 2000s – when the procedure had just started to be performed widely – hair transplantation has undergone a very rapid change and development. There are big differences between the results obtained from the first applications of hair transplants and the results obtained from operations today. Especially the development of the FUE method, serves as a revolution in hair transplantation, so to speak.

Turkey has stayed on track with the continuous development of hair transplantation techniques; and, has managed to continually update itself with the latest technology and operational techniques. Thanks to Turkey’s success in recent years, it guides the cosmetic trends in the world regarding hair transplantation and also other procedures in the field of plastic surgery.

• Naturalness

• Hair that grows and can be styled in a way that is suitable with the patients’ expression, face and age

• Long-term aesthetic solutions

• Results maximizing the patient's expectation

Hair loss is one of the most common health problems of our age. Especially among men, people become unhappy because of the baldness that is increasingly seen at an earlier age. Sometimes it is known to cause loss of self-confidence that can even lead to serious psychological distress, and this is perfectly normal.

The number of patients who hide the fact that they’re unhappy due to hair loss, and who cannot express that they are not satisfied with their appearance is much more than you can imagine. This period is the most sensitive among the entire treatment and is the time during which the patient needs the most support.

Estepera Hair Clinic provides patients with the support they need, especially with the free consultancy service it provides at this stage. They also communicate and plan with their patients all the stages of hair transplant treatment in Turkey in 5 Simple Steps.

It is the most important and first step of hair transplantation treatment. At this stage, before the patient travels to Turkey for the procedure, the team of experts try to decide whether the patient is suited to go through this operation. This is to make sure that the patient doesn’t suffer from any material or emotional damage. Free counseling is an important practice in terms of patient satisfaction and protection of patient rights.

Whether the patient is suited for hair transplantation is determined via three basic questions:

Many different factors cause hair loss; among the most common of these is stress, genetic factors, old age, disease, hormonal disorders, and hair loss due to trauma.

Before patients travel to Turkey, all the details of how they lost their hair are learned and analyzed to determine whether hair transplantation is an appropriate treatment for the patient.

The age of the patient is one of the main factors that determine this situation. If the patient is young and hair loss continues, it is necessary to wait for hair transplantation. To apply hair transplantation, it is necessary to make sure that the donor roots, that is, the roots to be transplanted to the area where baldness is, are hair follicles resistant to shedding. Therefore, the age of the patient and the severity of hair loss are important factors to be evaluated for a successful treatment.

These evaluations will be made during the free consultation service; and once it is determined that the patient is suited for the operation you can start planning your trip to Turkey with your clinic.

The patients pay for their own flight ticket; it is advised that you get your ticket right after you schedule your appointment. Your clinic will ask you to provide your flight details and arrival time so that they can greet you at the airport.

The surgery is planned to be performed either on the day of your arrival in Turkey, or the next day. According to this plan, your private shuttle will drive you from the airport to either the hospital or the five-star hotel where you will be accommodated.

During your stay in Turkey, your hospital, or clinic will organize your transportation to the clinic and to your hotel; and that includes your drive back to the airport on the day of your return.

In this stage, you will meet your doctor before the operation to be examined, and for your hair and scalp to be analyzed. Many things become clear at this stage, such as the number of grafts to be transplanted, how long the operation will last, and what method (FUE, DHI, FUT) will be used in hair transplantation, etc.

Another purpose of this one-on-one meeting is for the patient to discuss any questions they might have with their doctor and to eliminate all concerns before surgery. 

Preparation for surgery consists of three stages:

 Hair Examination

 Blood test

 Evaluation of the Data and Determining the Hair Transplantation Method

It is very normal to feel nervous or, perhaps excited before the surgery; after all, it is the first step for the re-growth of your hair.

The operation starts once all the preparations for hair transplantation are completed. After the surgery, the clinic will provide the patient with a drive back to their hotel, so that the patient can rest.

The patient is examined by the doctor a day or two after the hair transplantation. The doctor checks for any complaints; and if everything is fine, a nurse or a hair transplant specialist washes the patient’s hair for the first time. After that, the patients are given a short training to inform them on matters like things to be considered during the healing process, wound care, stages of healing and, shock loss.

What is the Most Effective Method in Hair Transplantation?

The most commonly used hair transplantation method in Turkey is the ‘FUE Hair Transplant Method’, which is also the current standard worldwide.

The DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) method is one of the FUE-type hair transplantation methods that have been developed in recent years. DHI resembles FUE in operation technique, but differs from FUE in terms of equipment used and in the way hair follicles are removed and transplanted.

FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction. So what is a follicular unit? A follicular unit is a bundle of hair follicles that consists of a minimum of one, and a maximum of four hair follicles. In the FUE method, these bundles are removed one by one; then, the units that contain more than one hair follicle are taken apart, and all the hair follicles are transplanted individually to the balding area.

Before the follicular unit was discovered, hair follicles were removed using the FUT method, in which hair roots are removed not individually, but as a strip of tissue, and then planted in the transplantation area. The biggest handicap of the FUT method was the scar left in the area where the tissue was taken out; and, since the method did not provide the opportunity to work with each follicular unit individually, the results were less natural and not as successful as in FUE.

 Much more successful results were achieved

 Much more natural results were obtained

 Hair roots that have been removed can now be transplanted without loss

 Hair growth direction, the proximity of the roots to each other, and their angle can all be easily adjusted for every individual root.

 The FUE method uses microsurgical applications in hair transplantation; therefore, unlike in the FUT method, no visible scar remains.

The only disadvantage of the FUE method is that the hair transplant operation takes a little longer than in the FUT method since the hair follicles are removed and planted one by one.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for The FUE Hair Transplantation Method?

The method commonly used in hair transplantation is the FUE method, except when there is very little hair loss. If you are suited for hair transplantation, you are a suitable candidate for FUE. The DHI method may be preferred if hair loss and the number of grafts to be transplanted is low. In some cases, both methods – FUE and DHI – are used together.

What you should know, whichever method is used, your clinic, and your surgeon will inform you of all the details of the operation.

In this method, hair follicles taken from the donor area are planted directly in the recipient area. Unlike FUE, the hair follicle taken from the donor area is transplanted directly to the area where balding occurs without any incision or canalization process, thanks to the surgical pen ‘CHOI Pens’ used during the procedure.

One reason to prefer the DHI hair transplantation method is that it provides a great advantage in time; with the usage of the implanter pen CHOI the duration of the operation is greatly shortened compared to the FUE method. In cases where hair loss is low, hair follicles in the donor area are strong and abundant; and, in cases where hair follicles are highly sensitive preferring the DHI method is advantageous.

Also:

 Thanks to the microneedles used, the DHI method provides an almost painless hair transplant operation.

 During the removal and transplantation of the follicular units, they are almost not damaged at all. This provides much better results.

 Injury is reduced to a minimum.

Anyone suitable for hair transplantation with the FUE method is also a suitable candidate for hair transplantation with the DHI method.

According to the world hair transplantation standards, the FUE method is the universally accepted hair transplantation method. Versions like DHI, Unshaved FUE are also increasingly used. FUT can be performed with FUE, but is rarely used.

But first of all, it is worth noting that it is your doctor's job to decide on the method of hair transplantation. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods may vary depending on the case. Each hair transplantation treatment is a unique process in itself and has its unique requirements. The most accurate method may not always be the most popular or the latest technological method. The right method is that which appropriate to the patient’s needs and ensures success.

You have decided to fulfill your desired look with the help of hair transplantation treatment. You did some research. You are now familiar with the terms FUE, DHI. After the free consultancy service, you are convinced that you are suitable for hair transplantation. You scheduled your appointment and flew to Turkey. Before the surgery, everything was prepared perfectly, analysis and blood test results were obtained, surgery planning was done in the best way and now you are ready for the operation.

So what exactly is this operation like? Let's take a closer look at the process of hair transplantation.

You will know where your hair will start to re-grow when this line is drawn; this is usually a very exciting moment. Your doctor draws the border and shape of your hairy scalp, and after getting your approval, your nurse prepares you for surgery.

In all hair transplantation methods except the unshaved FUE method, either some parts of the head, or the entire head is shaved before surgery. Some doctors may also choose to shave the entire head against the risk of infection.

Hair transplant operations are operations performed under local anesthesia in a hospital setting. In the FUE method, the donor area is numbed first, and the hair follicles are removed one by one, then the transplant area is numbed, and the collected hair follicles are planted individually. In the DHI method, the donor area and the transplant area are simultaneously numbed with local anesthesia.

Hair follicles are usually removed from the back of the head. It is predetermined how many follicles will be removed depending on the root density in the donor area and the size of the balding area. So, the duration of the surgery largely depends on the number of hair follicles to be removed. If the DHI method is used in the treatment, the amount of time it takes to remove hair follicles is eliminated since the removal and transplantation is done simultaneously. Hair follicles are removed individually in any case. 

The hair follicles removed with the FUE method are first prepared for hair transplantation, then the area where the hair follicles will be transplanted is numbed with local anesthesia and small incisions and canals are made. Follicular units collected and prepared for transplanting are planted in these incisions.

With the DHI method, the follicles are planted in the recipient area as they are taken from the donor area.

After the hair transplantation is completed, the patients are usually able to continue with their daily life. However, if the patient suffers from bolding on a larger scale, too many grafts have likely been removed and transplanted during the operation. So the operation probably lasted a long time. In this case, the patient may be tired. It will also be advised by your doctor that you rest on the first day. 

Points To Be Cautious About Before Surgery?

 Stop using blood thinners (like aspirin), antibiotics, and vitamins

 Take a break from alcohol

 Stop smoking, if possible

 Do not put heat on your hair, or use tools such as blow dryers and straighteners.

 Do not do anything differently than you usually do

 Wash your hair with warm water and the shampoo that you always use.

 Rest Well

 Make sure that you rested and slept well

 Have a light breakfast, do not consume caffeine

 Wear a fully buttoned shirt so you don’t hurt your head when removing it

You should strictly follow everything your doctor says about what you should pay attention to after the operation. Even if the operation is successful, the desired results may not be achieved if necessary care is not taken in the recovery process. During this period, the patient must be in contact with the clinic.

• Protect your head from impacts

• Do not be exposed to the sun

• Do not wash your head on the first two days

• Follow the procedure for wound care

• Protect your head from pressurized water

• Do not scrape or scratch the scalp.

• Avoid sports or any strenuous activity in the first week

• Stay away from alcohol

• Stay away from the hairdryer

• Make sure to sleep at a 45-degree angle while sleeping to avoid edema formation.

• Wear comfortable clothes that will support blood circulation.

What that the patients are usually the most curious about after hair transplantation is when they will attain their new appearance. Since you can see your hairline right after the operation, you can imagine how the transplanted roots will look when your hair begins to re-grow, even if they are still edematous.

The first 1-3 months pass with the healing of wounds, shedding of the scalp. Hair loss may also occur during this period, this is expected.

When the first 6 months have passed, the scalp has seriously restored itself, and you are now in the period when the planted hair roots begin to strengthen. The hair loss which is expected during the first three months may continue up to the first six months depending on the hair growth rate.

Once a year has passed, your hair will fully reflect your new look. And you’ll be able to enjoy taking care of your hair.

By Taking a Trip to Turkey for Hair Transplantation, You Can Start a New Era in Your Life

This shouldn’t be a trip that you “wish you would’ve done earlier”, when it could be one that makes you happy that you did it. Don't delay your dreams. You don't have to struggle alone with the questions and hesitations in your mind. Do not condemn yourself to overthink in front of the mirror. The results may even be better than you imagine.

Give yourself a chance. Contact Estepa for a free consultation service.

Bonus: Vacation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment in Istanbul…

You’ve had your hair transplant surgery, the first hair washing, and wound care procedures have been conducted, everything is fine ... Now it is time to enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Istanbul.

You can roam this historical peninsula, shop in the Grand Bazaar, and experience the Istanbul nightlife. We insist that you do not leave Istanbul without seeing the Bosphorus.