Over recent years, the popularity of hair transplants has risen dramatically, with many of those patients choosing to travel abroad for the procedure.
Countries like Turkey have seen a big increase in the amount of UK patients taking the trip to get transplant surgery at one of the many clinics there. This is mainly due to Turkish clinics offering a competitive cost for cosmetic surgery when compared to UK clinics.
Clinics in Turkey are able to offer these affordable rates due to the lower cost of living there, which means things such as energy, education, and equipment are much more affordable, therefore allowing them to offer their services at a more affordable cost.
However, before you decide that getting a hair transplant in Istanbul is right for you, you should always speak to your GP and get a clean bill of health. It’s also advisable to research any potential clinics and ensure they have good independent reviews, and that their surgeons are all fully qualified.
One hair transplant clinic specalising in the procedure is Smile Hair Clinic, an Istanbul-based practice founded by two experienced hair transplant surgeons.
About Smile Hair Clinic
In 2018, Dr M. Erdogan and Dr G. Bilgin decided to open Smile Hair Clinic after many years of experience performing hair transplants so they could continue to help people struggling with hair loss.
The clinic prioritises patient comfort and the surgeons and dedicated medical staff make sure that every customer who visits Smile Hair Clinic receives personal attention and care throughout their hair transplant journey. There is also a big focus on achieving results that suit the individual patient and look natural where possible.
Alongside its hair transplant procedures, Smile Hair Clinic also ensures their patients can enjoy a full hospitality experience with a stay at a nearby hotel for the duration of your treatment and for the days following while you rest and recover.
How much your hair transplant in Turkey will cost will be determined by your surgeon during your consultation appointment. This call will also include a hair analysis, and the chance to speak to your surgeon to ask any questions you may have.
Meet the surgeons
Dr M. Erdogan was one of the founders of Smile Hair Clinic. After working for years as a medical doctor, he went on to complete training in hair transplantations, becoming a hair transplant surgeon and medical aesthetic physician.
Dr Erdogan considers himself a perfectionist and takes particular care in the planning stage whilst designing your hairline, graft placement, and deciding on the best donor area for your needs. Whilst designing your new hairline, he considers everything from your natural growth pattern to your facial features to design a hair line that suits you.
Dr G. Bilgin is Smile Hair Clinic’s other founder, and began his career at the Medical Park Health Group, a well-known healthcare group in Turkey. He went on to explore recent developments in the aesthetics industry, before completing his medical aesthetics and hair transplantation training certificates.
He also believes in a 360 degree approach to treatment, focussing not just on the surgical aspects of the transplant, but also on ensuring patients are comfortable and happy with their final results.
Smile Hair Clinic also has three other surgeons who specialise in hair transplants. Dr Ahmedov, Dr Azak, and Dr Ziroglu are all fully qualified surgeons who have specialised in hair transplants for many years, and you can also view full details of their medical qualifications and training on Smile Hair Clinic’s website.
Every hair transplant performed at the clinic is done by one of these five surgeons, and from your very first consultation call you will be working with the same surgeon, right up until you have completed your aftercare. This helps patients to feel comfortable with the person performing your surgery, as well as always knowing who to contact should you have any questions or concerns.
What to expect from your hair transplant procedure
When visiting a hair transplant clinic in Turkey, it can be daunting if you don’t know what to expect, however your surgeon will be able to give you a personalised, detailed idea of what to be prepared for.
Typically most hair transplant procedures begin with a pre-operative consultation, where you and your surgeon will agree on your hairline design and what hair transplant technique will be used. This may be the FUE hair transplant or the DHI hair transplant, and your surgeon will be able to identify which is most suitable for your treatment.
Once you arrive in Turkey for your surgery, you will be taken to see your surgeon for a final pre-operative check-up to make sure you are healthy and ready for the procedure. During the surgery, you will be given a local anaesthetic, and your surgeon will begin removing individual hair follicles from the donor site.
These individual follicles are then transferred to the recipient area, and placed into the scalp following the agreed hair line design. Post-operation, your surgeon will send you back to your hotel to rest and recover.
You will then receive a post-operative appointment to check how you’re feeling and to ensure there are no complications or unwanted results. Your surgeon will discuss the aftercare you must follow, including when it is safe to do your first post-transplant hair wash, and how to keep the area clean.
Hair growth typically begins to be visible after three months, however final hair regrowth can take up to 12 months. This will depend on a number of factors, including your health, age, and how quickly your natural hairs grow.
Visit Smile Hair Clinic’s website to find out more information or to book your free consultation appointment.
Like any cosmetic surgery, hair transplants are invasive and are not risk-free or a solution to personal problems, and are not to be performed on anyone under 18 years old. Always seek independent medical advice and give the procedure careful consideration before going ahead.
