Frequently Asked Questions

Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that inserts new hair follicles into balding regions of the scalp. This method, which provides a permanent answer for those with alopecia, has grown in popularity over the years.

Hair follicles are harvested from the back or sides of the scalp (the “donor area”) and then transplanted to the balding or thinning regions. Once the transplanted follicles have healed, they continue to grow normally, looking much like the rest of your hair.To do Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), a surgeon will remove a narrow band of skin from the donor region, then dissect it under a microscope to harvest individual hair transplants.

With Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a specialized instrument is used to remove individual hair follicles from the donor area, and those follicles are subsequently transplanted to the balding regions. Because FUE is less invasive than FUT and does not result in a linear scar, it is often the favored method.

Hair transplants are only as effective as the surgeon doing the procedure, the donor hair, and the aftercare given to the patient. Patients should be prepared for a range of outcomes that may depend on their unique circumstances.

Within a few weeks after surgery, the transplanted hair usually falls out, making space for new growth. The final consequences of the operation may not become apparent for up to a year.

Bruising, swelling, and transient numbness are all possible negative reactions. However, difficulties are now quite uncommon because to modern technology and methods.

Hair loss affects millions of people all over the world, but thankfully there is a medical solution: a hair transplant. This surgery provides a permanent and generally aesthetically pleasing cure to baldness by moving hair from dense to sparse regions of the scalp.

Finding a region of the scalp with abundant hair that is also resistant to the hormones that induce balding is the first step in a hair restoration procedure. This usually refers to the sides and rear of one’s head.

Hair follicles are removed either one by one or in a strip, depending on the method utilized. The two most common techniques are:

In Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), hair follicles are transplanted from a donor location using a small strip of skin. Follicular units, which are clusters of one to four hairs, are extracted from this strip and examined under the microscope.

In Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a specialized instrument is used to remove single follicular units from the donor region. This procedure is less invasive than FUT and does not leave a linear scar.

Tiny incisions are made in the bald or thinning regions (the “recipient areas”) in preparation for the placement of new hair follicles.

The follicular units are then implanted into the incisions at the correct depth and angle to simulate the development of real hair.

The scalp will require time to repair and grow back after the treatment. There is usually some shedding of the transplanted hair within the first few weeks after the procedure. After 3–4 months, new hair growth begins from the transplanted follicles, with the final results apparent after 8–12 months.

Transplanted hair looks and acts much like your own, making hair transplantation a permanent cure to balding. The surgeon’s experience, the quality of the donor hair, and the aftercare the patient receives all play a role in the procedure’s likelihood of success.

Hair transplants are intended to be a long-term remedy for balding. The implanted hair follicles are what make the procedure so long-lasting.

According to the Donor Dominance Theory, the best areas to harvest hair follicles for transplants are the back and sides of the head. These regions are sometimes known as “donor areas.” The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a major contributor to male pattern baldness, although the hair in some areas is genetically resistant to it. Since these hairs already have the genetic trait of resistance and continue to grow even after being transplanted to balding areas (which are vulnerable to DHT), this treatment can be used to prevent further balding.

All hair, even hair that has been transplanted, goes through a normal life cycle that includes growth, shedding, and renewal. This implies that fresh hair will develop from the transplanted follicles, even though some of the transplanted hairs will fall out over time.

Although hair transplants prevent pattern baldness, they do not prevent the normal loss of hair that comes with becoming older. This is a natural consequence of getting older and can happen to both natural and transplanted hair.

The surrounding natural hair may continue to weaken or recede if it is genetically prone to do so, even if the transplanted hair will remain intact. This may result in uneven hair density, requiring further transplant surgeries or treatments to bring the transplanted hair in line with the rest of the head

Hair transplants are widely regarded as permanent because of their success. Hair follicles are removed from a “donor area” (usually the back or sides of the scalp) and transplanted to the balding or thinning regions of the scalp. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that causes male and female pattern baldness, cannot damage the hair in the donor regions because of a genetic predisposition to its effects. These hairs have a hereditary resistance to balding, so when they are transplanted to balding regions, they keep growing normally.

Although the transplanted hairs will not fall out, the hair around them may continue to weaken or recede if it is genetically prone to do so. This can cause the transplanted hair to survive, but the surrounding natural hair to continue to lose, perhaps requiring more transplants or treatments down the road.

Hair, even transplanted hair, has a natural development pattern that includes phases of resting, shedding, and new growth. In the weeks following a hair transplant operation, it is usual for the transplanted hair to fall out. After a period of many months, new hair growth emerges from the transplanted follicles.

Hair loss can occur in both transplanted and non-transplanted hair as a result of the normal aging process.

The health and quality of the donor hair, as well as the expertise of the surgeon performing the procedure, all play a role in the longevity and effectiveness of a hair transplant.

To combat baldness, surgeons perform a hair transplant, which involves moving hair from densely haired portions of the scalp (donor areas) to sparse or bald spots (receiver areas). What usually occurs during a hair transplant, broken down each stage:

Hair transplant patients consult with a surgeon before undergoing the operation. After consulting with the patient about their goals and concerns, the surgeon evaluates the extent of hair loss and decides on the most appropriate procedure and strategy for the transplant.

Preparation involves washing the scalp on the day of the transplant and applying a local anesthetic to the regions that will be cut.

Donor Hair Extraction: Hair follicles are extracted from the donor location using one of two methods:

In Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), a donor strip of hairy skin is taken from the back or sides of the head and transplanted into bald spots. Under a microscope, follicular units (groups of 1–4 hairs) are extracted from the strip.

In Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a specialized instrument is used to remove single follicular units from the donor region. This procedure is less invasive than FUT and does not leave a linear scar.

After the grafts have been produced, the surgeon prepares the recipient sites by making tiny incisions in the region, taking into account the optimal angle, depth, and orientation to provide a seamless and natural appearance.

After follicular units have been extracted, they are implanted into the recipient’s wounds.

After surgery, the patient’s head is bandaged and they are given instructions on how to care for their scalp. Things to look out for include indicators of infection and how to manage the scalp, as well as any necessary drugs for pain or swelling.

The time it takes to become well varies from patient to patient. After surgery, it’s normal to have some discomfort, swelling, and redness. The treated area(s) may develop scabs, which will come off in a week or two.

Hair transplants usually begin shedding after a few weeks of surgery, and this is normal. This happens naturally and routinely. New hair growth from the transplanted follicles typically starts after 3-4 months, with significant growth evident by 6-9 months. After 12-18 months, most people may see the full effects.

Patients may be required to return to the clinic for follow-up appointments following surgery in order to monitor the rate of hair regrowth.

In recent years, Turkey and Istanbul in particular have emerged as important centers for hair transplantation, drawing patients from all over the world thanks to their expert surgeons, cutting-edge facilities, and affordable rates. The standard procedure for a hair transplant in Turkey entails the following steps:

You may do your homework and choose the best clinic for you thanks to the abundance of informational resources available on the web for medical facilities around Turkey.

While some patients may prefer an in-person consultation for their first appointment, many patients from other countries choose to use the internet instead. The consultation is used to diagnose the cause of hair loss and recommend a course of action.

Many hospitals and medical centers provide overseas patients with all-inclusive package deals. The operation, stay in a hotel, and transportation to and from the airport (and occasionally sightseeing) are all part of the package. For patients coming from afar, this streamlines the procedure considerably.

Patients are often picked up at the airport and driven either directly to their accommodations or the clinic in Turkey.

In order to confirm the procedure’s specifics, discuss the patient’s expectations, and answer any questions, a face-to-face consultation with the surgeon is often held before the treatment.

Turkey’s hair transplant technique is very comparable to the rest of the world’s. Hair follicles are removed from a donor location and implanted into a recipient area by one of two techniques: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). Depending on the amount of grafts, the surgery may take a few hours or more.

Patients are given postoperative care instructions, drugs, and information on what to expect throughout the healing process after undergoing hair transplant surgery. The day following surgery, patients at some facilities can return for a free cleaning and checkup.

Patients may choose to extend their stay in Turkey for additional healing time or touring, depending on the package and the clinic’s recommendations.

As a means of checking in on their progress and addressing any issues, several clinics provide remote follow-up appointments.

Many Turkish clinics provide excellent care, but picking the right one requires some investigation into their track record and compliance with relevant regulations. Look for hospitals that have board-certified doctors, appropriate accreditations, and glowing ratings from previous patients.

Several factors determine a person’s best age for a hair transplant. Nonetheless, here are a few things to think about in general:

Loss of hair occurs in a gradual pattern. Those in their late teens or early twenties may not yet have a completely developed pattern of baldness. If hair continues to recede or thin around the transplanted region, an unnatural look may arise from the transplant if it was performed too early.

Hair Loss Maturity It is advised to wait until a more regular pattern of hair loss has developed. Many people experience this in their late twenties or early thirties, however the exact age range varies widely.

The quantity and quality of available donor hair are other important considerations. If hair loss is rapid and severe, even a young person may eventually run out of donor hair if they need several transplants.

The psychological and emotional toll of hair loss is often underestimated. However, a hair transplant should only be considered after careful consideration and reasonable expectations. A trustworthy surgeon will talk about the long-term effects and the possibility of more operations.

Hair loss might be influenced by underlying medical disorders or drugs, so it’s important to get checked out. Before considering a transplant, it is important to rule out any curable reasons of hair loss.

There is also the issue of expense, since hair transplants may be rather pricey and, if performed too early, may lead to the need for more surgeries down the road.

To prevent further hair loss and encourage regrowth, younger patients may benefit from attempting alternative therapies such as minoxidil (Rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia) before deciding on a transplant.

The scalp is numbed with local anesthetic before a hair transplant operation is conducted. Therefore, patients shouldn’t have any discomfort during the surgical procedure. However, there are a number of transitional phases and related feelings:

When first administered, local anesthetic injections may feel like a little stinging or pinching. This pain is short-lived, occurring just for a few seconds with each injection.

Once the patient’s scalp has been numbed, they shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. Pressure, pulling, or movement may be felt, but it shouldn’t hurt.

Some patients report mild to severe discomfort, soreness, or stiffness in the donor and recipient sites after the anesthetic wears off. In most cases, OTC or prescription pain medicines are sufficient to alleviate this pain.

Some itching, tingling, or numbness may occur while the scalp recovers. Although these feelings are common during the healing process, they may nevertheless be unpleasant.

Some people have edema in the area around their eyes and forehead a few days following surgery. It’s not painful, but it could hurt your feelings or catch you off guard.

It’s important to remember that everyone is different, and that factors like pain tolerance, the kind of hair transplant performed (FUE vs. FUT), the length of the process, and the expertise of the surgeon can all have a significant impact on the patient’s experience.

Hair transplant techniques and surgeon choice determine whether or not hair is shaved prior to the procedure. Summarized Here:

For FUE operations, the donor region (usually the back and sides of the head) is shaved completely so that the surgeon can see the individual hair follicles clearly and remove them one by one. For the most part, people use this method.

Alternatively, some clinics provide a targeted or partial shave, in which only tiny sections of the donor site are shaved and are largely hidden by the surrounding hair. This is less frequent but may be a good option for those who wish to hide any indications of surgery so they may get back to normal quickly.

Hair is not shaved prior to the FUE operation in certain clinics, which is known as “unshaven” or “non-shaven” FUE. The technical difficulty of this approach means that it may not be widely accessible.

In most cases, a full head shave is unnecessary for FUT surgeries. Instead, just the narrow strip of scalp that will be shaved off is cut. The remaining hair might be utilized to hide the staples or stitches when the strip is removed.

Trimming or shaving the recipient region (where the hair is going) is sometimes necessary for both FUE and FUT procedures. Nonetheless, there are times when it just isn’t essential to shave, such as when only a tiny region needs attention.

Patient preferences are taken into account, although the choice to shave is often made in light of the surgical approach and any necessary technical considerations. Before the treatment, some patients choose to shave their heads completely so that the new hair would come in uniformly.

The amount you spend may also be affected by where in the world you want to have the treatment done. Countries like Turkey, India, and Thailand, for example, have become popular destinations for hair transplant tourism due to their combination of lower pricing and qualified doctors compared to those in the United States, Canada, and many Western European countries.

The reputation of the clinic and the expertise of the surgeon are two major factors in determining the cost of surgery.

Transplantation Technique: This factor might affect the overall price tag. Since Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) requires more human intervention, it might be more costly than Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT).

Some clinics base their prices on the quantity of grafts (follicular units, or groups, of 1 to 4 hairs) you require. The price increases as the number of necessary grafts rises.

Some medical facilities, especially those catering to out-of-country clients, provide all-inclusive packages that include everything from lodging to transportation to medicine after surgery. These bundles can save time and effort, but they may also increase the final price.

Costs associated with recovery from surgery, such as follow-up appointments, prescriptions, and hospital stays, may or may not be factored into the original estimate.

Consultation fees, blood tests, and other evaluations are examples of miscellaneous costs to think about.

But keep in mind that these are simply ballpark estimates, and that prices might fluctuate significantly within these ranges depending on the aforementioned variables.

The hair used in a hair transplant comes from a part of the scalp that is naturally resistant to balding, thus it is intended to last a lifetime. However, even a decade after the treatment, the scalp’s look and health can be affected by a number of factors:

Hair Transplantation: Because it is not affected by DHT, the hormone that causes pattern baldness, transplanted hair should continue to grow and act normally. This indicates that the transplanted hair should still be there after ten years.

The remaining, natural hair may continue to shrink or recede if it is prone to do so genetically. This can cause an unnaturally dense patch of transplanted hair in the middle of an area when the original hair is thinning.

Natural hair loss with aging affects both transplanted and natural hair. It’s a natural aspect of getting older, but it may make your hair look thinner and less full.

Factors such as nutrition, stress, smoking, and hair care practices might affect the health and look of transplanted hair. Hair transplants can retain their quality with the right aftercare and a healthy lifestyle.

Some medical problems and drugs used chronically can have an adverse effect on hair health, perhaps leading to thinning or loss of hair.

In the years following a hair transplant, some patients may opt for further treatments, including a second transplant to address ongoing thinning or the use of drugs like minoxidil or finasteride to preserve the hair that remains.

Knowledge and experience of the operating surgeon can have a significant impact on the success and aesthetics of the transplant. Achieving a natural and long-lasting effect depends on how the grafts are placed in terms of their angulation, depth, and distribution.

Hair transplants have a high success rate when performed by skilled doctors utilizing cutting-edge methods. However, like any medical operation, hair transplants might fail or fall short of patients’ expectations in rare cases.

The absence of standardized statistics and consistency in how “failure” is defined make it difficult to narrow down the precise failure rate. However, there are a few things that may make things worse:

Low Rates of Successful Transplants: Not all hair follicles will make it through a transplant. Although graft loss is to be anticipated to some extent, under really unusual circumstances, a sizeable fraction may fail to “take.” The grafts may have been damaged during removal or implantation, or they may not have been cared for properly throughout the postoperative period.

Even if grafts are successful, they may not lead to healthy hair growth. This may occur if the recipient location has scar tissue or if the implant was not placed deeply enough.

Failure to put grafts at the proper angle, density, or orientation can lead to an unnatural appearance, even if the transplant is effective in terms of graft survival and development.

Rare as they may be, infections and other problems can diminish the effectiveness of a hair transplant.

Hair transplants may not be successful if the patient has a medical condition that causes hair loss, such as persistent telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, or scarring alopecias.

Despite a successful operation, a transplant may be termed a “failure” if the recipient is unhappy with the results. This highlights the significance of establishing reasonable anticipation in advance.

To reduce the likelihood of failure,

Make Sure the Clinic and Surgeon Have a Proven Record of Success and Happy Patients Before Deciding on a Clinic for Your Transplant.

Taking good care of yourself after surgery is a major factor in how well it turns out.

Know that not every graft you transplant will develop, and that it may take up to a year to observe the full effects.

Follow up appointments after surgery should be kept so that any issues may be addressed promptly.