Everyone knows Istanbul as a popular tourist destination with beautiful architecture and rich cultural history. The vibrant metropolis has a new claim to fame as the undisputed world capital for hair transplantation. Keep reading to know more about the rise of hair transplantation surgery in Istanbul.
What is Hair Transplantation?
A hair transplant is a surgical method for treating hair loss. It involves taking a graft from a part of the scalp with good hair volume and transplanting it to balding areas or areas with low hair density.
The top three methods for hair transplantation include:
FUE
FUE stands for follicular unit extraction. In this method, individual hair follicle units are manually grafted from the back of the head and transplanted to the target areas.
FUE is minimally invasive, almost painless, and widely performed.
Sapphire Hair Transplant
A sapphire hair transplant is FUE performed with a special tool sporting a sapphire tip. The sapphire tip enhances precision and leads to better, more natural-looking results. The healing process is smoother and quicker with less scarring.
DHI
DHI stands for direct hair implantation. It is a modified FUE method. Unlike FUE the hair follicle units for the graft are extracted with a special tool.
Increasing Popularity of Istanbul Among Hair Transplant Hopefuls
Hair loss is a universal problem affecting both genders. Globally, approximately 24% of women and 67% of men suffer from hair loss. In recent years, Istanbul has seen a rise in popularity among hair transplant hopefuls.
Hair transplantation has been around for a long time. The procedure is neither affordable nor quick to access in many countries. The wait times are long, and insurance coverage for the procedure is uncertain. This has increased the allure of medical tourism destinations for many. The truth is that many countries around the world offer hair transplantation procedures, but lax quality control and unprofessional surgeons lead to a high risk of complications and adverse effects.
This is where Istanbul excelled though. There was a concentrated effort to improve surgical procedures and medical facilities. The government also provided tax breaks on medical equipment and compensation for procedures to cosmetic surgery hospitals.
All these positive steps and quality control translated to an influx of prospective hair transplant seekers to the city.
Surgical Skills
The one thing that sets Istanbul apart for hair transplant procedures is the skill of the surgeons here. You may have heard that practice makes perfect. This is true, particularly for Istanbul. The high patient turnover for one specific procedure has honed the skills of Turkish surgeons for it almost to perfection.
It is not just about the skill of the surgeons; some of the technicians working at hair transplant clinics have multiple years of experience as well.
The combination of surgical skills and professional, trained technicians leads to better surgical outcomes.
Well-equipped Hospitals
Over the years, surgeons in Istanbul have not only improved the hair transplant methods but equipped the hospitals with the best and the latest in hair transplant technology. All prospective patients have access to state-of-the-art facilities as a part of their hair transplantation package.
Affordability and Excellence
These are the two main reasons why so many people flock to Istanbul for their hair transplant dreams. They get high-quality, safe, and international standard procedures at a fraction of the cost compared to their country of residence.
In Istanbul, affordability is not synonymous with inferior care. Patients get the best that the hair transplantation technology has to offer at significantly lower prices.
Medical Tourism
The rise of medical tourism in Türkiye, in general, has led to Istanbul becoming the undisputed hair transplant capital of the world. The diverse patient pool has trained Turkish hair transplant surgeons to successfully cater to many ethnicities and nationalities.
According to USHAŞ (Uluslararası Sağlık Hizmetleri A.Ş. İstanbul Şubesi), the first quarter of 2024 saw 428,072 patients avail cosmetic surgery procedures in the city.
Research and Innovation
The Hair transplant market is thriving because of the research-oriented approach of the surgeons and health professionals in Istanbul. The improvements in transplant methods like FUE have led to better precision, a quicker recovery period, and minimal complications.
Hair Transplants – The Istanbul Experience
In general, hair transplantation surgeries in Istanbul have four basic steps.
- Consultation and Preparation
- Graft Extraction and Preservation
- Incisions and Graft Placement
- Recovery and Follow-ups
The transplant procedure duration is approximately 6-8 hours.
Hair Transplantation Packages
The hair transplantation packages in Istanbul are comprehensive and include hotel stays, transportation to and from the airport and also to the hospital, translators for easy communication, and guides.
There is no compromise on the level of care though, as the hair transplant procedures along with pre and post-op care are all streamlined for maximum safety and professionalism. The patients get their desired hairline and enjoy Turkish hospitality all in one.
An Occupational therapist, freelance content writer and more importantly a stay-at-home mom, Sara, like all other parents juggles her many roles. Her passion for writing combined with her professional expertise as an Occupational therapist (working with children with special needs) has helped her craft content specific to child health, wellness and learning skills. At present, Sara alternates her time between raising her two young children, and writing about what she knows best- children!
