The concept of hair transplantation is not new. What could be considered new is the rapid growth in the popularity of Turkey for hair transplants. So much so that it has now earned the title of hair transplant capital of the world.
Over the past decade or so, the country has seen an influx of medical tourists seeking all kinds of treatments and procedures. According to the Istanbul International Health Tourism Association, medical tourism numbers rose from 75,000 in 2007 to more than 700,000 in 2017. Turkish facilities carry out between 150 and 500 hair transplant surgeries every week.
If you opt to have your hair transplant surgery in Turkey, you will enjoy the obvious benefit of lower costs. Read on for our analysis of other benefits as well as a few inevitable disadvantages to Turkey for hair transplant surgery.
Pros of choosing Turkey for hair transplant surgery
Pros
Cost: This is perhaps the main reason so many men flock to Istanbul for hair transplants. You can get quality surgery for a fraction of the amount you would need to pay in the U.S and U.K, where the bulk of patients come from.
The average cost for a hair transplant in Turkey is about $2,600. Much more affordable than an average cost of $7,570 in the U.K and $12,790 in the U.S.
Package deals with vacations: Turkey is known as one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations. From pristine beaches along the 7,200-kilometer coastline to relaxing hot springs, and a most intriguing history.
When planning for your surgery, you can opt for a package that incorporates a few vacation days as your scalp heals before you head back home.
Professional and experienced surgeons:
A skilled and experienced surgeon is one of the most important details to consider when selecting a facility and surgeon. In this regard, Turkey ticks both boxes and more. You will be spoilt for choice with a large number of facilities where the procedure can be done.
It is also home to a good number of the top hair transplant surgeons in the world with more than 1,500 surgeons being holders of board certificates. There are more than 30 Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals as well as a good number of surgeons who are members of the prestigious International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery ( ISHRS).
Add this to the experience gained by these surgeons thanks to a large number of surgeries performed per month, and you have a pool of surgeons with skills comparable to no other in the world.
Advanced Technology:
Turkey is leading the rest of the world in implementing advanced technology and techniques such as the sapphire FUE technique. In this method, the surgeon uses sapphire blades in FUE hair transplant surgery. The benefit is minimized risk of tissue damage and shorter recovery time.
Another modern method known as the DHI technique has the surgeon perform FUE transplants without necessarily making incisions for implantation. A patented tool is used for each implantation and robotic hair transplantation can be used.
Cons of choosing Turkey for hair transplant surgery
All these positives around Turkey as your hair transplant destination, come with a few downsides which should also be considered when making a final decision.
Need for extreme caution
When you start your search for a facility in Turkey for your hair transplant surgery, it is necessary to be extremely careful. This is especially so if you are cash-strapped and are looking for the most affordable facility you can find.
There are lots of surgeons offering the service at very low prices but performing the surgery with unqualified technicians and nurses. They also fail to observe set sanitary conditions at their facilities. These all form a typical recipe for a botched hair transplant procedure.
No in-person consultation
If you were going to have your hair transplant surgery in your home country, you would start by visiting the facility for an in-person pre-surgery consultation. It is at this point that the surgeon examines your scalp and makes determinations such as the number of grafts required as well as other details.
If you opt to have it done in Turkey or any other distant country, all pre-surgery consultations are done via video. The surgeon establishes the extent of hair loss and other details using nothing more than photographs.
This leaves greater room for error compared to an in-person consultation.
No aftercare
In most cases, hair transplant patients in Turkey are on a plane back home a day or two after the surgery. This means they don’t get adequate aftercare from the specific surgeon or facility which is the ideal situation.
It must be noted that aftercare is critical in the recovery process in order to prevent infections or other complications. A surgeon in a typical clinic in Turkey knows he will probably never see a patient after the procedure so doesn’t make an effort to stay in contact to assist with any aftercare consultations.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that Turkey is indeed one of, if not the best country for hair transplant surgeries. The main advantage is cost as you can have the procedure done for a fraction of the cost in the U.S and U.K.
It is also a magical tourist destination and is home to some of the most reputable hair transplant surgeons in the world.
However, you will need to be careful not to put yourself under the knife of unqualified medics who take advantage of the country’s reputation to attract patients looking for the cheapest offers available.
References
2. https://www.smilehairclinic.com/en/hair-transplant-turkey-cost/
3. https://wanderingwheatleys.com/9-reasons-visit-turkey/
4. https://www.apetogentleman.com/worlds-best-hair-transplant-doctors/
6. https://www.besthairtransplanthyd.com/what-is-the-sapphire-fue-hair-transplant-technique/
7. https://istanbeautiful.com/best-hair-transplant-clinics-in-istanbul/
8. https://hqhairtransplants.com/hair-transplants/post-op-aftercare/
