Why are People Having Hair Transplants in Turkey?

Image: Courtesy Photo
Dr. Levent Acar, who heads Cosmedica Clinic, is widely regarded as a pioneer in Turkish hair restoration.
Step into Istanbul on any given week, and you’ll notice something unusual at the airport: you'll see men with head in bandages literally everywhere. This is for a very good reason: Turkey has become the global hub for people looking to fix hair loss without draining their bank account. In fact, medical tourism on its whole is booming in Turkey.
And it’s not only the cost that is important here. There are very good clinics for hair transplants in Turkey. Many of them offer great results and match this with an affordable price. But is it the truth? Or is it just a hyped up destination? We’ll find out in this article. We go in-depth over the techniques used, the actual prices, a comparison with the USA and way more.
If you’re looking to get a hair transplant, and eyeing Turkey as a possible destination, this is the right article for you.
The rise of hair transplants in Turkey
First of all, let's dive into why the hair transplant market exploded over the years in Turkey. It’s not only price, there are several factors that explain the rise of turkish clinics:
- Clinics in Turkey carry out thousands of hair transplant procedures every year. Routine brings confidence, and expertise.
- The cost of hair transplant treatment is far lower compared to the US or Western Europe.
- Packages are often inclusive: hotel, transport, medication, even post-operative care.
- Some clinics in Istanbul specialize in techniques like the FUE method and DHI, giving international patients reliable options.
This combination of affordability, experience, and state of the art clinics has made Turkey the go-to destination for people searching for serious hair restoration.
How much does a hair transplant cost in Turkey?
The question of price is unavoidable. In the US, a hair transplantation surgery can easily cost $10,000 to $15,000. In Turkey, the average hair transplant price is between $2,000 and $4,000. That difference is one of the reasons why so many choose to fly in.
This is where the country got its first customers. The cost for a hair transplant in Turkey is sometimes more than three times as low as in western countries. But that’s not the whole story: good clinics in Turkey offer convenient all-inclusive packages, which takes away the stress of traveling to a new country for a medical procedure, and makes it even more comfortable.
What is included in an all-inclusive package?
One of the main reasons people look at Turkey for hair restoration is the package structure. Instead of only quoting the hair restoration surgery fee, clinics wrap the whole experience together.
A typical inclusive package at a FUE hair transplant clinic in Turkey often covers:
- Consultation and blood tests before the procedure
- The hair transplant procedure itself (usually FUE or DHI)
- Hotel accommodation for several nights
- Airport and clinic transfers
- Medication, shampoo, and other aftercare products
- Structured follow-up and post operative care
For international patients, this matters a lot. You arrive in a new city, often with limited language skills, and you want everything to run smoothly. The package system means you can focus on your recovery, and even carelessly enjoy the beauty of Istanbul.
What factors determine the final cost?
Not every transplant in Turkey has the same price tag. Actually, it’s better to generally avoid clinics who give the same price for every hair transplant. This is because there are several elements that affect the final price:
- Numbers of grafts: The more hair grafts extracted and implanted, the longer the surgery and the higher the cost.
- Technique used: Standard FUE method differs in price from advanced DHI Sapphire.
- Surgeon’s experience: Experienced surgeons and skilled surgeons often charge more, but many patients accept this for natural hairline results.
- Package extras: Hotel quality, aftercare, and follow-up support all influence the cost.
In other words, the transplant cost in Turkey is there for a reason. It reflects graft counts, tools, surgeon experience, and the comfort level around the surgery. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a bigger price tag means a better surgery. There are plenty of well-known clinics that offer a great mix of affordability and hair transplantation results.
Is getting a hair transplant in Turkey safe?
Safety depends less on the country, and more on the clinic you choose. Clinics in Turkey vary widely. Some are well-structured, with licensed doctors, clean facilities, and clear treatment plans. Others can cut corners. So, how do you know which clinic is good, and which isn't?
To make it easier for you, you can say a clinic is good when:
- They work with licensed and experienced surgeons
- Shows real results and have great hair transplant before and after images
- Explains exactly how many hair follicles will be implanted
- Offers reliable post-operative care and follow-up
A bad clinic hides behind vague promises and glossy ads. The difference is clear when you see it.
What is a good clinic for a hair transplant in Istanbul?
See the remarkable before after results of a hair transplant at Cosmedica Clinic.

Among the many options, Cosmedica Clinic in Istanbul has gained strong international recognition. Led by Dr. Levent Acar, an English-speaking surgeon with years of experience, the clinic focuses on detail, transparency, and natural outcomes.
What sets Cosmedica apart:
- Use of the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method for hair root removal
- Development of advanced DHI Sapphire hair implantation
- Clear focus on designing a natural hairline for each patient
- A modern, state of the art facility in Istanbul
Structured packages including accommodation, transfers, and aftercare
Especially the DHI Sapphire approach is something that’s very special. But what is it exactly? Well, this method is actually a three-step process:
- Extraction via FUE, removing each graft individually from the donor area.
- Tiny channels are opened with a sapphire blade.
- They perform each hair implant using a special pen, keeping follicles protected.
The idea is simple: they make smaller incisions, which lead to less trauma, and thus healthier regrowth. Even though the clinic offers this highly specialized approach, they’re still known for being an affordable clinic.
What results can you expect from a hair transplant?
The reason people book flights to Turkey isn't only the affordable price. It’s the results. So what results can you actually expect? And what differentiates a good result from a bad one?
Results depend on several factors:
- Numbers of grafts: more grafts mean fuller coverage.
- Technique: FUE, DHI, or Sapphire FUE affect density and growth.
- Hair follicles and donor area: strong donor hair produces better coverage.
- Hair implantation precision: placement angle determines whether the final look feels natural.
- Post operative care: following instructions helps protect growth.
Real change takes time. Shedding is normal in the first weeks. New growth starts after three months, and the final picture develops after nine to twelve. The best clinics back this up with structured aftercare and visible before and after cases, so patients know what to expect