Hair transplants in Istanbul: A complete guide

When considering a hair transplant it is important to research the types of operations available, how much it will cost and potential results. This complete guide aims to provide insight into what to consider before undergoing a procedure and why having hair transplants in Istanbul has become so popular.

Why are so many people heading to Istanbul for hair transplants?

A hair transplant in the UK can cost up to a staggering £30,000, making it unaffordable for most. The good news is Turkish hair transplant clinics offer procedures for as little as £3,000, paving the way for great hair to become accessible for everyone. One of the reasons clinics in Turkey can afford to keep their prices low is that they are supported by government incentives if they are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI).

Price, however, is not the only factor in the demand for hair transplant operations in Turkey. Many patients are attracted by the experienced Turkish surgeons in the field, who have operated on thousands of patients with high quality results. As specialists in hair restoration, medical teams in Turkey can carry out the surgery with extreme precision.

In addition to low costs and specialised practitioners, Turkey is recognised globally for its long-term studies into hair loss. With around 500 long-established clinics and hospitals performing hair transplantation, surgeons have garnered recognition from increasing patient referrals. As a result, Turkey is seen as the obvious choice for great quality of service using innovative transplant methods.

How do hair transplants in Turkey work?

The first step in the process is assessing a candidate’s eligibility for hair transplantation. Using the Norwood Scale, the surgeon will gain a clear understanding of the amount of donor hair available, the quality of the donor area and the size of the balding areas that need to be treated. The elements that determine the quality of the donor area are hair colour, hair diameter, hair shape (curly or straight) and follicular density. 

Surgeons will usually ask for photos from patients, which are used to estimate the number of grafts needed and the number of sessions required. It’s important to attain the optimum amount of transplanted hair while also determining the estimated grafts that will both leave the patient with satisfying results and the donor areas protected after the operation.

Once the operation has been carried out, experienced medical assistants ensure that patients are given accurate information from the doctor in their mother tongue. The assistant will be available to answer any questions that may arise following the operation.

Regardless of the hair transplant technique chosen, patients can be confident that the standard of hair transplants in Turkey is excellent and their money will go a long way. Turkish hair clinics often offer all-inclusive packages, which include hotel accommodation, post-operative treatment and transfers to and from airports. In addition to this, many will provide unlimited grafts at a fixed price, which means, no matter how severe the hair loss situation, surgery is affordable.

What are the different methods for hair transplants?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) are the two most popular methods used in hair transplantation. Most clinics will ensure results are natural, irrespective of which method is chosen. An initial consultation determines which transplantation method is best, based on the patient’s hair loss classification, the size of the thinning area, and the quality and quantity of donor areas.

The revolutionised industry has two key methods:

1. The Sapphire FUE method uses blades made from the sapphire gemstone to extract hair follicles, instead of steel blades used in regular FUE transplants.

2. The Soft Sapphire FUE or DHI method refers to conducting a Sapphire FUE or DHI hair transplant while the patient is under sedation. Even though the patient remains awake for the procedure they won’t feel the graft extraction, recipient site creation or transplantation process.

How to choose the best clinic in Istanbul

There are three important factors to consider when choosing a hair transplant clinic:

1. Background and training

2. Skill and aesthetic eye

3. Post-operative care

The standard of the industry in Istanbul is high, with experts such as Serkan Aygin (2019 winner of Best Hair Transplant Surgeon by the European Awards of Medicine and Best Medical Tourism Facility at the 8^th Health Tourism Awards) leading in the field. Aygin has been performing hair transplant procedures for over 24 years, treating over ten thousand patients with work perfected by thorough analysis of each operation.

At all good clinics care doesn’t stop post-operation – medical professionals will guide individuals through their entire hair restoration journey, from Shock Loss to new hair growth. It’s worth asking any potential clinic to provide contact details of previous patients to get an accurate idea of the experience from start to finish. Firsthand feedback also helps with preparation for everything that hair implantation entails, from having a blood test to determining eligibility.

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