Istanbul has become the world capital of hair transplants, with more than a million bald or receding people arriving each year. They are drawn by a combination of medical quality and competitive costs. While a transplant in Europe or the US might cost between €6,000 and €15,000, in Istanbul it is often possible to have the procedure for under €3,000.
The boom dates back about a decade, following the replacement of old strip grafts with fast, minimally invasive techniques. Thousands of follicles are now implanted using a special pen with a hollow needle. An operation lasts no more than half a day. Hundreds of clinics promote all-inclusive packages on social media, but Dr Ahmed Yüksel of Micro Fue Turkey warns that some are 'illegal basement operations'.
Patients describe positive experiences. James McElroy, who had the procedure a year ago, said he was 'happy and satisfied'. Mathew Powell, from Wales, has had two transplants and is 'very satisfied'. Allan Nuttall, from Leyland in England, had his transplant at Smile Hair Clinic and says the results look so natural that his barber would not have noticed.
Among the most renowned clinics is that of Dr Serkan Aygin, a dermatologist who admits he has had a transplant himself. He says patients come from Europe, the United States and Arab countries, with Russia and China now targeted. Erkan Ünsalan, owner of First Class Esthetic, also shows off his transplanted hair.
The average stay for patients is two to four days, with the transplant itself taking six to eight hours. Those considering the procedure are advised to follow aftercare: Michail was told by Dr Ismail Aldemir to stop smoking, drinking alcohol and going to the gym in the first months, and to drink plenty of water. Elisa Perin, a former singer from Sardinia, hopes to regain the curly hair she lost after intense weight loss treatment.
