What is a hair transplant?
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that moves healthy hair follicles, known as grafts, from an area of dense growth to an area where hair is thinning or has been lost. The donor area is usually the back and sides of the head, where follicles are naturally resistant to the hormone that causes common hair loss. Once transplanted, these follicles keep that resistance and continue to grow in their new place.
The procedure is most often used for male and female pattern hair loss. It can also restore hair lost through scarring or injury, and the same technique is used for beard, moustache and eyebrow transplants.
Who is it suitable for?
A hair transplant may suit you if you:
have thinning or balding areas but enough healthy donor hair to move
have hair loss that has started to stabilise, as it is harder to plan a natural result while loss is still progressing quickly
are in good general health
have realistic expectations about the density that can be achieved
A transplant may not be advised if your donor area is too sparse, if you have widespread thinning all over the scalp, or if hair loss is caused by an untreated medical condition. Chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure need to be well controlled first, and some serious illnesses may rule out surgery. Your medical history is reviewed before treatment is confirmed.
Techniques
FUE (follicular unit extraction)
Follicles are removed one at a time from the donor area using a tiny circular punch, usually under 1 mm wide. The specialist then opens small channels in the recipient area and places the grafts into them. FUE does not need stitches and leaves only tiny dot-like marks that are hidden once the hair grows.
DHI (direct hair implantation)
Grafts are extracted in the same way as with FUE, but they are loaded into a pen-like implanter. The implanter opens the channel and places the graft in a single movement, giving precise control over angle and direction.
FUT (follicular unit transplantation)
This older method removes a strip of scalp from the back of the head, which is then divided into grafts. It leaves a linear scar and takes longer to heal, so FUE and DHI are now preferred by most patients.
How the procedure is done
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and usually takes 6 to 8 hours, with breaks for rest and food.
Consultation and planning
The day before, you meet the specialist. They examine your donor and recipient areas, design your hairline with you and estimate the number of grafts. Blood tests confirm you are fit for the procedure.
Preparation
On the morning of the procedure your hair is shaved and the scalp is cleaned. Local anaesthetic is injected to numb the donor and recipient areas.
Extracting the grafts
The specialist removes follicles from the donor area with a micro-punch. The grafts are stored in a cooled holding solution to keep them healthy until they are placed.
Placing the grafts
The grafts are implanted into the thinning areas, following the natural angle and direction of your hair. Both areas are then cleaned and dressed.
Recovery timeline
- Days 1–3
Some swelling of the forehead and tightness of the scalp are common. You sleep with your head raised and avoid touching the grafts. The first wash is done for you at the clinic.
- Days 4–14
Small scabs form around each graft and fall away over 7 to 10 days as you wash gently with the special shampoo and lotion.
- Weeks 2–8
Most of the transplanted hairs shed. This is expected: the follicles stay in place and rest before regrowing.
- Months 3–18
New hair starts to grow at around three to four months, is clearly visible at six months and continues to thicken until 12 to 18 months.
Aftercare
wash your hair exactly as shown, using the shampoo and lotion provided
do not scratch, pick or rub the grafts
avoid hats that press on the grafts for the first week or so
avoid heavy exercise, saunas, swimming and direct sun for several weeks
avoid smoking and alcohol, which slow healing
take your prescribed medication as directed
Risks and side effects
A hair transplant is generally safe, but like any procedure it has risks. They include:
swelling, redness and temporary numbness of the scalp
bleeding or infection at the graft or donor sites
inflamed hair follicles (folliculitis)
temporary shedding of existing hair near the grafts
lower graft survival or patchy growth
visible scarring, particularly with the strip method
a result that looks unnatural if the hairline is poorly planned
Having the procedure in a hospital setting and following your aftercare instructions closely help to keep risks low.
Results
The final result appears gradually over 12 to 18 months. Transplanted hair can be cut, styled and coloured like the rest of your hair. Because hair loss may continue in untreated areas over the years, your doctor may suggest medication or a later session to keep the result balanced.
Hair transplant in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
You send clear photos of your scalp from the front, top, sides and back, along with your medical history. The specialist reviews them and our team sends you a treatment plan with an estimated graft count. Once you accept, we book your dates.
In Istanbul
A VIP driver meets you at the airport and takes you to the hospital, where your tests are done on the day you arrive. The procedure takes place the next morning. Your stay includes hospital care, a translator, medication, the special shampoo and lotion and your first hair wash. A companion can stay with you at no extra cost. You fly home once your doctor has checked you.
Back home
Your coordinator is available 24/7 on WhatsApp. Send photos as your hair grows so the team can follow your progress and answer any questions.
What the Hair Transplant package includes
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Hospital and medical care
Your private hospital room, nursing care, pre-operative tests, consultations with your surgeon, anaesthesia, the operation itself and the medication you take home.
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VIP transfers
A private driver meets you at the airport and takes you between the airport, your hotel and the hospital.
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Translator and companion
A medical translator at the hospital, and a companion can travel with you at no extra cost.
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Meals and comfort
Daily meals for you and your companion throughout your stay.
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24/7 patient coordinator
A dedicated coordinator answers your questions before, during and after your trip, in your language.
Hair Transplant FAQ
What is the difference between FUE and DHI?
Both remove individual follicles from the donor area in the same way. With FUE, small channels are opened first and the grafts are then placed into them. With DHI, a pen-like implanter opens the channel and places the graft in one step, which can help with dense packing, often in a smaller area.
How many grafts will I need?
It depends on how much hair you have lost, the size of the area and the density of your donor hair. The specialist estimates this from your photos and confirms it after examining your scalp in Istanbul.
Is a hair transplant painful?
The local anaesthetic injections sting for a short time, after which most people feel little during the procedure. The scalp may feel tight and sore for a few days afterwards, and painkillers are provided.
When will my new hair grow?
Most transplanted hairs shed within the first few weeks, which is normal. New growth usually starts at around three to four months, is clearly visible at six months and reaches its final density at 12 to 18 months.
Is the result permanent?
The transplanted follicles come from areas that are resistant to hereditary hair loss, so they usually keep growing for life. Your original hair around them can continue to thin, so your doctor may suggest medication to protect it.
Can I have a beard or eyebrow transplant?
Yes. The same technique can restore hair in the beard, moustache or eyebrows. The number of grafts and the approach are planned individually.
When can I go back to work?
Many people return to office work after about a week. Small scabs and redness are usually visible for 7 to 10 days, so some choose to take a little longer.
Will the donor area look thin?
Follicles are taken in a spread-out pattern so the donor area keeps a natural density. Once your hair grows back over the following weeks, the tiny extraction points are usually hard to see.
