By Bahar Ozbal • Medical review by Ufuk Alatekin, MD on February 08, 2021

What is Hair Transplant ?

Hair transplantation technique generally requires removal of an elliptical-shaped flap of scalp from the occiput, or back of the patient's and inserted in very small slits, or openings, formed in the patient's scalp where it is desired to have the grafts implanted. 
 
Hair transplant surgery is the most effective and permanent solution for the ones who are suffering from pattern baldness or hair loss. The procedure is also called as; hair restoration, hair grafting, hair replacement, hair surgery or hair implants. 
 
Why Is There Hair Loss?
 
There are numerous reasons why both men and women might experience hair loss (alopecia). Anything  from medical conditions to hormonal changes to stress, heredity or a normal part of aging can be a reason for hair loss. Anyone can lose hair but it's more common in men.
 
Androgenetic alopecia is another term which is a very common cause of both male or female pattern hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia is generally correlated with hormones. It can start at any point after puberty. Many females can experience androgenetic alopecia after going through the menopause. 
 
Alopecia areata is another term used to describe patchy hair loss. It typically begins suddenly with one or more round bald patches around the head or body.  
 
Cicatricial hair loss is correlated with scarring. Hair falls out and the follicle is replaced with scar tissue.
 
Traumatic alopecias cause hair loss as a result of hair styling practices. The hair shaft may break after hair styling procedures. 
 

Hair Transplant Turkey Treatment Summary

Operation Number

1-2 sessions

Time to Return to Work

After 1 day

Operation Time

7-8 hours

Recovery

10 days

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia

Persistence of Results

Permanent

Sensitivity Time

2-3 days

Hospital Stay

NO

Price

2.500 $

How Much Does A Hair Transplant Cost?

Hair transplant cost depends on the operation technique selected, size of the area to be operated, number of hair grafts needed, the device used, surgeon and clinic fees. 

Worldwide hair transplant cost range differs from $25 to $30,000. In Turkey the average price per graft varies from $0.2 to $1. Both FUT and FUE techniques are used and the average cost is between $2500- $3000 (Us dollar) meanwhile the average cost worldwide is $7,250. 

How Much Is A Hair Transplant In Turkey?
 
The average cost of a hair transplant operation in Turkey ranges from $2.500 and $3.000, while the same operation in Britain or the U.S. could cost up to $25,000.  In Germany hair transplant prices start from 6.000 Euro. In Italy a FUT operation costs around 4.000 Euro while in Turkey the cost of a similar procedure averages at 1.500 Euro. When you compare Turkey to France, hair transplant in France costs are between 5.000 Euro- 12.500 Euro. Getting your surgery in Turkey provides saving, confidence and high satisfaction results.

What Happens During A Hair Transplant Procedure?

Depending on the size of the transplant you’re getting, the process will take about 3 to 8 hours and local anaesthesia is used for the entire procedure. 

You will be asked to shampoo your head a type of surgical scrub on the day before, and on the morning of the surgery.

Just before the surgery, "donor area" will be trimmed short so that the grafts can be easily accessed and removed.  After that the local anaesthetic solution is injected just below the donor area.

Your surgeon will remove small sections of hair-bearing scalp, which will be divided into tiny sections and transplanted into tiny holes or slits within the scalp.  Normal saline will be injected to the donor area to maintain proper skin strength.  This will minimize bleeding. 

After the donor grafts are obtained, normal saline will be injected to the recipient area to tumesced. To minimize bleeding and pain, should be turgid before slits or holes are made. 

Your surgeon will follow the direction of the existing hair while creating tiny holes with tiny blades or needles slits in the recipient area. After, the grafts (containing one to three hairs) will be placed in each hole. 

As the grafting session is complete, the scalp will be cleansed and covered with gauze. You may have to wear a pressure bandage for a day or two. 

Is Hair Transplantation Painful?

Hair transplant procedure is carried out with local anesthesia; and if needed it can also be done under sedation as well. You will not feel any pain during the surgery. After hair transplant surgery  it will take a few days for the pain to subside which can be managed by painkillers.

Techniques Of Hair Transplantation

There are different techniques of hair transplantation. The most common and known hair transplantation techniques are FUT and FUE. Your surgeon will decide which technique is the best for you. Also there is a hair plugs technique which is outdated in the medical world, but it is a phrase we sometimes hear, especially from our foreign patients. Further more information about hair plugs you can read our blog writing. Is Hair Plugs Technique Still Used in Hair Transplantation?

Both FUE and FUT have the same principle based on a strip of skin containing hair follicles being removed, cut into grafts and implanted in the recipient area.

In Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) whole follicle units are extracted one by one and implanted one by one back into the recipient area.

Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) was designed to move hair from the donor area with follicular units that contain oil glands, nerves, a small muscle, and occasional fine vellus hairs.

 
FUT or FUE Technique?
 
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), is the method in which the surgeon makes incisions of hair from the back of your scalp to remove a strip and then transfer it to the target area. 
 
Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) is the method in which the surgeon extracts individual follicles from the strip and then plants them to the target area. 
 
As the scarring is less noticeable FUE Technique is much more suitable for men who use hair very short. 

How Long Does A Hair Transplant Last?

Hair transplant is a permanent solution and can last a lifetime if the hair graft is harvested from the safe zone. Hair graft collected from the safe zone does not exist DHT. DHT is the receptor that causes hair loss. The requirement of grafts is dependent on a number of factors such as age of the patient, grade of baldness, family history, condition of donor hair, etc.. You may not need an extra session if you protect your existing hair from further hair loss. 

How Long Does Hair Transplant Recovery Take?

The duration of the healing period depends on the type of hair transplantation that the individual has undergone. 

After Follicular Unit Transplant- The person is able to recover in almost 2-3 weeks
After Follicular Unit Extraction- The patient recovers in 5 days

During the first 3 days there may be some swelling and bruising on the scalp. The swelling can continue after 3-4 days of the surgery. You'll be asked to take antibiotics and you can use painkillers for a comfortable healing time. 

After the hair transplant surgery you have to restrict your movements to avoid hurting the grafted follicles.

It's recommended to sleep with the head elevated. You can put some additional pillows under the head. 

Taking shower will need time and extra attention. You have to put water only on the body and avoid the hair for the first 3 days. On the 4th day, you can wash the hair.  

After the first week you can start light exercises such as walking and jogging. 

You may feel itchy in the first month, but you must avoid scratching as much as possible. 

Within the first 6 to 10 weeks of the procedure, you will face "shock loss" of hair, don't worry this is a natural part of the recovery process. 

After the FUT or FUE surgery the hair will start to grow after 8-12 months. But be patient cause it takes time for the hair transplantation to show results. 

Who's a Good Candidate For Hair Transplant Surgery?

The best hair transplant candidates are in their late 20s or older. The ideal candidate has to get enough healthy donor hair both at the back and sides of the head to serve as donor areas. Hair transplant is not advised in patients younger than 25 as younger patients tend to have unrealistic expectations. 

Hair transplantation is only considered as a minor surgery, however, there are still risks involved and being in optimum health is very important. If you don’t have some health problems such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart, liver and kidney failure then you can be a good candidate.

The cause of your hair loss will determine if you’re suitable for a hair transplant. If you have stress-related hair loss then it is better not to consider hair transplant (as the situation is not permanent). But if you have been losing hair due to male pattern baldness for a few years, then this will make you a perfect hair transplant candidate.

Hair colour, texture and waviness or curliness may affect the result of the hair transplant. Your surgeon will discuss how well a hair transplant will work on your colour and type of hair.

What Is The Best Age To Have A Hair Transplant?
 
Although age is no bar for hair transplantation, the pros and cons of a transplant need to be carefully evaluated in the younger patients. Who are in their late 20s or older are the best aged candidates for hair transplant surgery. 

Best Seasons For Hair Transplantation

You can have your hair transplant any time you want. Only in some months and seasonal transitions you need to pay extra attention during the recovery time. For best hair transplant results; 

If you are planning to get your hair transplant during summer time than; protect your head from UV lights. At least 10 days avoid direct sun lights. Cancel your swimming vacation for at least 15 days after the surgery.  

What Are Some Alternatives To Hair Transplant Surgery?

A hair transplant procedure is the only way to guarantee effortless, permanent and convincing results. However, there are several nonsurgical options for hair loss. These procedures, and treatments can't offer the maintenance permanency of a hair transplant. 

Platelet rich plasma (PRP): In principle PRP treatment is done to stimulate new hair growth by taking your blood’s own platelets and mixes it with growth factors and proteins, then injects them back to the target area. The procedure needs to be repeated every four to six months to maintain results.  

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT): Some LLLT devices, like HairMax and CapillusPro are used for this procedure. In this method the patient has to use these devices every week to stimulate hair growth. It takes about six months for the results to show off. Afterwards the patient has to keep using them to maintain the results. 

Scalp micropigmentation, known as SMP, is another nonsurgical treatment. In this procedure by the help of microneedles dots of pigment embed into the scalp. This will create an illusion such as the appearance of real hair follicles that have just been shaved.  

Hair mesotherapy is performed by injecting a wide range of vitamins, minerals, proteins and antioxidants that your hair needed directly into the scalp. It stimulates cellular metabolism and paves the way for tissue regeneration. 

What Are The Risks In Hair Transplantation?

Hair transplantation is an extremely safe and effective procedure for the right candidate without significant risks or complications.  
 
However, as is the case in any surgery, there are risks
The main risks have to do with managing patient expectations. The best use of hair transplants is to help define the anterior hairline and give a fuller, natural look to hairline and temples. Besides this there are also some side effects of the surgery which can be described as risks. 
 
Scarring, unnatural results, excessively large visible grafts, loss of existing hair (shock effluvium), infection (rare but can occur with any procedure), cysts, numbness are the risks that any patient can face with. Make sure you have a good doctor and ask about the risks. 
 
Does The Transplanted Hair Fall Out?
 
Regardless of whether FUT or FUE is performed, the hair grafts and the existing hairs can temporarily shed roughly three weeks post op. This occurrence is called “effluvium” or “shock loss”.  Shock loss causes 80% to 95% of the hairs to fall out after that the follicles will lie dormant from three to eight months. 
 
This is the unavoidable part of the hair restoration process and it is temporary. Although it can be disconcerting to see the hairs shed after a hair restoration procedure, try to remember that this is a good sign of progress. Planted hairs need time to mature and will grow at different rates. The grafts will remain in the place they have been shifted to and in just a few short months, the follicles will revive from their dormant state and new hair will sprout. 

What Are The Disadvantages Of Hair Transplant?

Beside the advantages of hair transplant surgery there are some little points that can be considered as disadvantages. 
 
The very first disadvantage of hair transplant procedure is the long waiting period. It takes around 3-4 months for the whole procedure to be completely done. 
 
Secondly no one can give you guarantee that the surgery will match your expectations. You can get into a lot of problems as hair transplantation is a surgical procedure if you are not working with a qualified surgeon. 
 
The hair transplant cost is another disadvantage of the surgery. The costs vary from person to person and it is quite expensive compared to other cosmetic treatments. Hair transplantation demands a lot of expenditure starting from the very beginning and even after the surgery ends. 
 
Another disadvantage of hair transplantation is there exists many side effects run parallel during the treatment. Such as itching, pain, numbness, non-acceptance of a foreign tissue, etc. 

The Advantages Of Hair Transplant In Turkey

Hair transplantation is one of the most developed procedures in Turkey.  There are many advantages of Hair Transplant in Turkey. First of all Turkey is a hotspot for hair transplant. Each month numerous patients fly to Turkey for hair transplant and return back with the high satisfaction average. 

Turkey, with its competitive prices offers you international standards clinics and hospitals, affordable prices, skilled expert teams and experienced patient consultants for hair transplant surgery. 
 
In Turkey most of the clinics have modern accreditations, including JCI. Having a JCI certificate is a guarantee of providing patients with quality medical care. No matter how far you are located you may get online consultation from most of the clinics in Turkey. 
 
Another advantage of getting your hair transplant in Turkey is that you can get your hair transplant any time you want. There are no waiting lists like other countries in Turkey. 
 
Turkey, hair transplant clinics and hospitals provide the latest technology so you will be able to get the newest procedures in the hair transplantation field.
 
Most of the clinics will arrange each small detail from your surgery to travel. All inclusive packages including treatment expenses, your transfer excluding your flight, the hotel budget will be sent immediately before you agree on an appointment. 
 
Turkey is an impressive destination with natural beauties, historical past and culture. You may enjoy your time beside your hair transplant procedures. 
 
With years of experience and positive results in the hair transplant field, Turkey offers confidence. 

The Advantages Of Hair Transplant In Istanbul

Istanbul is a well-known tourist destination which bridges the cultures of Europe and Asia.  Besides cultural and historical beauties İstanbul is the capital city of hair transplantation. With modern and high tech clinics and hospitals, İstanbul provides the newest procedures in the hair transplantation field. 
 
In İstanbul, hair transplantation surgery is done by affordable prices, skilled expert teams in JCI certificated clinics and hospitals. 
 
İstanbul offers visitors a unique travel experience and a guarantee of providing quality medical care. 

Written on 01/01/2018

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Last Update: 08/08/2022

Hair Transplant Before & After Photos


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