4 to 8 hours.
It takes approximately 10 days to 14 days to recover after the procedure. You should avoid strenuous activity for at least 4 weeks. You will start to notice new hair growth after 3 months. Expect to experience complete recovery 12 – 15 months after the procedure.
You can return to work 3 days after the procedure; you will notice the swelling reduces during these days.
Avoid brushing your hair for at least 3 weeks, and don't wash your hair for the first 3 days. Follow your doctor's instructions to speed up your recovery.
Antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medicines can be prescribed for several days after the procedure. Some surgeons may also prescribe the hair-growing drug minoxidil to support hair growth.
FUE hair transplant has a success rate of 90-95%.
Follicular Unit Excision is an effective hair transplant technique that is gaining popularity among patients. The difference between the FUE and FUT techniques is in the extraction process.
FUE hair transplant is a minimally invasive method; your hair follicles are harvested – using a special micro punch – from the donor to the receiving area while you are under local anesthesia.
Your surgeon can extract 500 to 5000 grafts in one session. Hair follicles are usually harvested from the back and sides of your head. But if the number of follicles that will be extracted is not sufficient, your surgeon can also extract the follicles from your beard or chest.
Your scalp skin will fully recover in a few days after the procedure. Patients usually prefer the FUE technique because the approach minimizes scarring.
For your online consultation, we will ask you to send your photos as shown in the photography guide down below, to evaluate your case.
Each FUE Hair Transplant surgery is tailored to suit your individual’s needs, preferences, and the clinic’s best practices. But the procedure normally includes the following 7 stages:
The FUE Hair Transplant specialist will assess if you’re a suitable candidate for hair transplant surgery. You will be asked to send some pictures of your face and head (from the top, front, left, right, and back angles).
After a Hair Transplant specialist reviews your pictures, he will estimate the number of grafts you need. During the online consultations, expect the following questions:
Have you ever had a transplant before?
Do you have any medical conditions that we should be aware of?
Are you currently taking any medication?
Is your hair loss hereditary?
When did you start losing hair?
It is during this consultation that your surgeon will learn about your motivation, expectations, and goals for the surgery.
When you decide to have a hair transplant, we will present several detailed options of clinics and doctors. After you have chosen your preferred clinic and doctor, we will then set up the treatment date and arrange it with you.
This surgery is usually performed in the morning or afternoon, we recommend that you arrive in Turkey a day before the surgery to have sufficient time to rest.
When you arrive at the clinic, you will have a face-to-face consultation with your hair transplant surgeon. Part of the discussions will be about your expectations and goals. The surgeon will draw marks to demonstrate your new hairline.
Before the surgery, your surgeon will perform physical and blood tests. To ensure that nothing can hinder the success of the surgery.
Your surgeon will give local anesthesia, and shave the donor area, but some surgeons prefer performing the procedure without shaving the donor area. If you have Trypanophobia (fear of needles), Your doctor will administer anesthesia via a different approach.
When the preparation phase is done, your surgeon will start the procedure. Expect your surgeon to follow these steps during the surgery:
Your surgeon will extract hair grafts, then they will place them in a container filled with a special solution that helps keep the grafts alive.
Upon completing the extraction process, your surgeon (or a team of expert technicians) will begin to make incisions – on the recipient area – using a micro blade and 0.6 to 1.0 mm special micro punches. The incisions will determine the growth direction of the hair, and they will have an angle to make a consistent pattern for a natural look.
Hair grafts are inserted into the recipient area soon after the incisions are made. Hair transplant surgery can take between 4 and 8 hours, and it is performed on the same day. To avoid boredom, you can read a book, watch a movie or take a nap during the surgery. Also, You will have breaks during the surgery.
Your surgeon can offer you PRP treatment as a complementary procedure so as to accelerate the healing process. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) treatment is usually performed during the transplantation or after the grafts are implanted.
After the procedure, your head will be covered with bandages, and your doctor will prescribe painkillers to manage any pain or discomfort. Your surgeon will give instructions you need to follow during the recovery period.
It is normal to feel minor pain in the first two days after the surgery —there is no reason to be alarmed. You should also expect your scalp and forehead to be tender, red, or swollen in the first two weeks after surgery. The new grafts will fall off in the second week after the surgery – this is normal.
During this period, expect 90% of your transplanted hair to fall off. It happens 95% of the time. Some of the natural hair located next to the transplanted hair can also fall off; this is known as shock loss. Shock loss is natural and temporary, and surgeons consider it part of the recovery process.
What happens between two and four months is regarded as the steady phase of the recovery. Expect 5% of your new hair to begin to grow during this period. From month four to month six, you should expect 20% - 25% of the transplanted hair to start growing.
Between six and nine months, expect to see 75% of the transplanted hair start growing. At this point, the hair will be getting denser and thicker.
After nine months, an additional 20% to 25% of new hair will begin to grow. In some cases, it may take up to 18 months for the hair to fully grow.
A week prior to the surgery, you should stop taking Aspirin or any other blood thinners.
If you are allergic to any drugs, you should inform your surgeon before the surgery begins.
24 hours before the surgery, you should avoid smoking because it will affect your recovery period.
Alcoholic beverages should be avoided 24 hours before the surgery.
If you are taking medication for chronic or acute diseases such as diabetes, or heart disease, you should inform your surgeon.
Procedure | FUE Hair Transplant |
Duration | 4 - 8 hours |
Stay | 2 nights hotel |
Cost in Turkey | €1600 - €2450 |
Anesthesia | Local anesthesia |
Recovery | 10 to 14 days |
Final Results | 9 months - 12 months |
Side Effects | Itching, swelling, scalp pain |
Risks | Bleeding, infection, allergic reaction |
Success Rate | 90% - 95% |
Exercise | After 4 weeks |
Back To Work | After 3 days |
Scars | No |
Pain | Slight |
Related Procedures | Beard Transplant, Eye Brow Transplant |
Is FUE Hair Transplant Painful?
You may feel pain or soreness after the procedure is done. However, your surgeon may prescribe painkillers to relieve this pain and discomfort.
Does FUE Hair Transplant Leave a Scar?
Considering that the FUE technique requires hair units to be removed one by one, there is no linear scalp scar is created in the donor area.
Is FUE Hair Transplant Permanent?
Since transplanted hairs will behave as they are in the donor area, it is not guaranteed that a hair transplant will last forever. But your new hair will probably stay with you for a very long time.
Is FUE Hair Transplant Affordable Abroad?
Yes, the procedure will be more affordable abroad and cost less in popular medical tourism locations like Turkey. But some factors affect the FUE surgery cost, like the clinic's location, the surgeon's experience, and the technique used.
Learn more about FUE Hair Transplant in Turkey by comparing costs and reviewing the clinics and doctors.
Our team will dedicate their effort and time to help you choose the clinic best for you. Our goal is not just to find ‘a doctor’ for you, but to find ‘the right doctor’.