A major boom in medical tourism in recent years has seen a growing number of people heading overseas for hair transplants – with Turkey at the vanguard of this burgeoning trend.
(Photo: Sule Hair Transplant)
There was a time when the only solution for hair loss was an ill-fitting toupée, but thanks to advances in technology men – and women – suffering from premature balding can now gain a completely new look with a hair transplant. And as has been the case with other cosmetic innovations, a medical tourism industry has swiftly grown around it, with Westerners flocking to foreign shores to take advantage of the significantly cheaper rates on offer for high-quality hair transplants. We’ve picked out three of the best hair transplant clinics in the Turkish capital of Istanbul below.
But before we give your our top three recommendations, how much can you expect to pay for a hair transplant in Istanbul? Prices will vary depending on the clinic, but the main variance comes from the size of the hair graft you require and the type of transplant technique you opt for. In terms of hair grafts, the average cost per graft is around €2, but most clinics offer packages that cover up to 4,500 grafts, which will cost between €3,500 and €4,5000, on average. When it comes to transplant techniques, the general rule is that the higher the graft survival rate, the pricier it will be. For example, with Robotic FUE technology, the success rate can be as high as 100%, which accounts for the higher pricing for this method over others. Furthermore, most packages also include complimentary services such as hotel stays and VIP airport transfers.
Understandably, another common question asked about hair transplants – particularly for those planning to travel to unfamiliar climes for the procedure – is how safe are they? In short, the answer is ‘very’, providing you are using a fully certified clinic with all of the necessary accreditations, While you will need a general anaesthesia for the procedure, incidences of bad reactions to being put to sleep are extremely rare. Other than specific health risks, the key question that clients will be keen to have answered is the prospect of success in terms of gaining the outcome they desire. As touched on above, this will depend in part on which technique you choose, and as part of the consultation process your clinic will help explain the success rates associated with each method.
Sule Hair Transplant
Winner of a recent ‘Innovative Hair Transplant Center of the Year’ award, Sule Hair Transplant have grown to become one of Istanbul’s most respected centres for those seeking a new head of hair. Located in the Yeşilpınar neighbourhood of the city, clients come here from across the globe to undertake a wide range of restorative treatments and services, including hybrid hair transplants, beard and eyebrow transplants, afro transplants and stem cell transplants. The clinic also offer trichoscopies, a non-invasive diagnostic technique that allows dermatologists to provide a more accurate diagnosis of hair and scalp conditions. All clients are sent away with an after-care kit including everything they need for post-procedure success and satisfaction.
Elithair
(Photo: Elithair)
Another renowned hair transplant specialist, Elithair’s Istanbul clinic is located in the modern Vadi district of the city where it consistently meets the needs of clients. Spread over 13 floors, the clinic employs elite specialists, including medical teams, doctors, nurses, anaesthesiologists and interpreters, who work in lock-step to deliver the highest-quality service in the field of hair transplants. Among the clinic’s USPs are their pioneering new procedures such as the NEO FUE method, which is said to achieve up to 98% more hair growth after the hair transplant, and the SDHI technique, which was designed especially to cater for women. Clients also benefit from VIP airport shuttle services, stays in an upscale hotel near the clinic, pre- and post-surgery examination, and medication and aftercare products.
Clinicana
(Photo: Clinica)
Our final recommendation is Clinicana, who pride themselves on utilising the most up-to-date procedures combined with state-of-the-art facilities and highly qualified surgeons to provide optimal results. Operating out of the Acıbadem Hospital in the bustling district of Taksim, the clinic provides quick and painless surgeries using cutting-edge FUE techniques that help transform clients’ appearances to their tailored preferences. They also offer airport transfers, two nights’ accommodation in a high-end local hotel, after-surgery care including drugs and hygiene products, a comprehensive medical report and an English-speaking translator to ensure all pre-and post-op communication goes smoothly.