General

Will your hair transplant surgery be kept safe and private?
Yes. According to Turkish law, there are very strict rules regarding patient privacy. Unless the patient gives permission, we do not share any before-and-after photos on social media or websites.

Why should you choose Turkey for hair transplant surgery?
Turkey is located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. It is a major international hub in one of the busiest regions of the world. In addition, the combination of high-quality procedures and affordable prices makes it very attractive for patients seeking quality hair transplant treatment.

Why is hair transplant surgery cheaper in Turkey?
Turkey is now one of the leading countries in the hair transplantation market. This growth has taken place over the last 10 years. Before that, there were not many clinics around the world performing these procedures. As competition increased, prices became more affordable as a result of the free market. In Turkey, many new clinics opened within the last 5 to 10 years. Many doctors who previously worked in public hospitals moved into private practice and opened their own hair transplant clinics. This increased competition and lowered prices. However, a lower price does not mean a lower-quality transplant. It depends on the clinic’s experience. A clinic that has treated thousands of patients from around the world can deliver strong results. What has changed over time is not necessarily the technique, but the level of experience. I have personally seen thousands of patients from all over the world, from America to Australia. I have worked with different ethnic backgrounds, face types, and hair characteristics, and that experience helps me perform the right transplantation. Prices have become lower mainly because of competition.

Why are the success rates of FUE transplantation higher?
In daily practice, when we perform an FUE procedure, we can separate the best grafts, classify them according to the number of follicles they contain, and use them appropriately in specific areas of the scalp. This careful planning and classification gives us a better chance of implanting them properly and achieving higher success rates.

Who performs hair transplant surgery?
Hair transplant surgeries are performed by qualified medical professionals with a medical background. These may include physicians, doctors, and surgical assistants with training in medical specialties such as nursing, anesthesia, paramedicine, or operating room services.

Who are Smile Hair Clinic’s clients?
Our patients come from all over the world. Anyone who wants to improve their appearance with a hair transplant or would like to have more hair may be a suitable candidate. At the moment, around 90% of our patients come from the United Kingdom and Ireland. We are also seeing increasing numbers from the United States and Canada, along with many patients from other European countries.

Which hair transplantation technique is the best?
Hair transplantation techniques vary depending on the patient’s condition. For some patients, we prefer the Sapphire Microblade Technique, while for others we prefer DHI. Both implantation techniques are performed in our clinic. For extraction, however, we use only FUE, which stands for Follicular Unit Excision. After the follicles are extracted, they can be implanted in two different ways. In one method, we first create the incisions and then place the grafts into those channels. In the other method, DHI, the grafts are inserted into a special pen and implanted at the same time as the incisions are made. Which method is better depends on the patient’s needs. In some cases, DHI is more suitable, and we choose that approach. I mostly use DHI for female patients or for patients who need work in a particular area using a non-shaven method. However, in my daily practice, I often find the Sapphire Technique more effective for controlling angle, direction, and incision density during the operation.

Which country is the best for hair transplant?
Istanbul, Turkey, has been considered the capital of hair transplantation for the last decade. Every year, more than 1 million men travel to Istanbul for hair transplant procedures. For that reason, Istanbul can be considered one of the best destinations for hair transplant surgery today, as patients often pay much less than they would in Europe, the United States, or Canada while still achieving excellent results.

What method is used for beard transplant?
Both FUT, also known as FUSS (Follicular Unit Strip Surgery), and FUE can be used for beard transplantation. However, today more than 90% of beard transplant procedures are performed using FUE.

What is the Sapphire FUE method?
Sapphire FUE is a type of FUE technique in which a sapphire microblade is used to create the recipient sites, or channels, for implantation.

What is the price of hair transplant surgery in the United Kingdom?
Prices vary widely from clinic to clinic. Based on information available online and from patients who have previously undergone surgery, the cost generally ranges from around £4,500 to £15,000 or even £20,000.

What is the meaning of limited donor area?
A limited donor area is a term used to describe an insufficient or weak donor zone. There can be many reasons for this. Has the patient had previous surgery? Are there any large scars on the back of the head? Has hair loss progressed into the donor area, creating a horseshoe-shaped appearance? Is the hair thin or thick? These are all factors that determine the quality of the donor area.

What is the “ISHRS” accreditation?
ISHRS stands for the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. It is an organization that brings together hair transplant surgeons and professionals from all over the world. Being a fellow, associate member, or member of ISHRS indicates high standards of quality, ethics, and professionalism. Patients should always pay attention to whether their surgeon or surgical team are members, fellows, or at least associate members of ISHRS.

What is the future of hair transplant surgery or hair loss treatment?
There are many ongoing studies related to hair loss treatments and techniques. Today, the FDA approves only a limited number of treatments for hair loss. Two medications are approved: minoxidil and finasteride. There are also two main surgical techniques: FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT, sometimes called FUSS (Follicular Unit Strip Surgery). In addition, there is a physical device called low-level laser therapy (LLLT), which is used as a treatment option for hair loss.

What is the density of the incisions or implantation during hair transplant surgery?
As with many aspects of hair transplantation, this is very individual. However, there are average ranges. A good density is generally considered to be 40 to 60 incisions per square centimeter. Medium density is 30 to 40, and low density is 20 to 30 incisions per square centimeter. There is a common misconception that the higher the density, the better the result. In reality, making too many incisions can damage the vasculature, or blood vessels, under the skin. This may reduce blood flow to the grafts and lower the survival rate. The ideal approach is to achieve appropriate density with the right angle, direction, and depth.

What is body hair transplant?
Body hair transplant refers to using donor hair from parts of the body other than the back of the head. This may include the beard area or the chest. Some clinics also offer extraction from the arms or legs.

What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles. This causes inflammation and leads to hair loss.

What is beard transplant?
A beard transplant involves transferring hair from a person’s donor area to the face. If you do not have a beard or have missing areas in your beard, this can be corrected by transplanting hair to those areas. After a few months, the transplanted hairs adapt naturally to the face. In most cases, people cannot tell that a beard transplant was performed. The most important point is to implant only single-hair grafts. If multiple-hair grafts are implanted in the beard area, the result may look unnatural.

What do you do for existing hair?
We aim to preserve existing hair during surgery. Even though most grafts are taken from the donor area, protecting the existing hair and increasing the overall density in the recipient area is a positive outcome for the patient. It is also a more conservative approach, as the patient may need another transplant in the future. We use magnification to identify and protect the existing hair. In some situations, if the hair is very fine or miniaturized, implantation may be performed over it. Otherwise, we focus on placing the grafts while preserving the native hair.

What are the reasons for hair loss in men?
The most common cause of hair loss in men is androgenetic alopecia. However, other types of hair loss may also occur, such as alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, chronic medical conditions, or hair loss related to medical treatments.

Other alternatives to hair transplant surgery or any medical treatments for hair loss?
Depending on the stage and type of hair loss, medical treatment may also be an option. For example, in androgenetic alopecia, minoxidil and finasteride may be prescribed. For autoimmune conditions, other treatment plans may be necessary. If the patient is undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, hair restoration procedures should be postponed until the treatment is complete and the hair follicles have had time to recover.

Is your staff full-time employees?
Yes. The staff at Smile Hair Clinic are full-time employees. We work as a team, including not only the doctor but also the surgical assistants. To deliver the right technique and the best possible result, the team needs to know each other well and work together consistently over time. This team coordination is essential, because the surgical team must clearly understand the doctor’s expectations during each patient’s procedure.

Is there any non-surgical type of hair transplant surgery?
No. Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure, and there are no non-surgical hair transplant techniques.

Is hair transplant surgery a simple procedure?
The key to a good outcome is proper preparation and planning. The better the planning and evaluation process, the higher the chance of a successful surgery.

Is a robotic hair transplant surgery the best option?
The best technique is the one that fits the patient’s needs. There is no single best option for everyone. Robotic hair transplant surgery has some advantages, and FUE and FUT each have their own advantages and disadvantages as well. The decision should be made individually with the doctor or hair transplant surgeon. In some cases, robotic surgery may offer benefits such as shorter procedure time or more precise extraction. However, an experienced team can achieve comparable results with the classic FUE method.

If you had previous hair transplant surgery and were not satisfied with the results, can you have another procedure?
Yes. This is called revision hair transplant surgery. Around 10% to 18% of our patients have had surgery at other clinics and were not satisfied with the results. We perform revision procedures for such cases. During planning, we evaluate the aspects the patient was unhappy with and work to improve them as much as possible. Revision surgeries require a very experienced team.

How does a hair transplantation work?
In simple terms, hair transplantation is the process of relocating hair from the back of the head, called the donor area or safe donor area, to the recipient area where hair loss has occurred.

How can I stop my hair loss?
Hair loss should first be evaluated by a dermatologist or hair transplant surgeon before deciding on surgery. Before accepting a patient for hair transplantation, we want the hair loss to be more stable. We need to assess the patient’s condition, understand the underlying causes, and provide the right treatment before surgery. Once the condition is stable and hair loss is under control, hair transplantation may then be performed.

How can I choose the best clinic for my hair transplant in Turkey?
You can research clinics online, review patient experiences, and examine before-and-after results. In some forums, you can even connect directly with former patients and learn about their experiences. Most importantly, make sure the clinic is run by doctors and not only by technicians.

Does it matter where to have the hair transplant surgery?
Yes, absolutely. You should have your surgery in a clinic where real doctors, nurses, and trained surgical assistants work. It is very important to avoid unregulated clinics, because the outcomes may be poor and the risk of failure is much higher.

Does hair transplantation leave scars?
Hair transplantation can leave scars in the donor area. However, visible scarring is not usually expected in the recipient area, as the incisions there are very small. In the donor area, extensive extraction or poor technique may lead to more noticeable scarring. When the procedure is performed properly, any scarring is usually minimal and not easily visible to the naked eye.

If you have white hair, will the transplanted hair be white as well?
Yes. The transplanted hair will have the same color as the donor hair, because it is taken from the back of your head and redistributed evenly. If the donor hair is white, the transplanted hair will also be white. If it is your natural original color, it will remain that color.

Should you travel abroad for hair transplant surgery?
Not necessarily. The best hair transplant surgery is the one performed with the proper technique for your needs by a surgeon or clinic you trust.

Are you too young to have hair transplant surgery?
To be eligible for hair transplant surgery, patients are generally expected to be at least 18 years old and usually under the age of 60. In some clinics, patients over 65 may also be accepted, but the decision should always be made individually. More important than age is the degree and extent of the patient’s hair loss.