FUE Hair Transplant in Turkey (Istanbul)

FUE hair transplant is today’s most requested hair restoration technique. Using micro-punches, individual follicular units are harvested usually from the genetically resistant donor area  and and transplanted into thinning or bald regions.

In FUE hair transplantation, different punch diameters are used, typically ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 mm, allowing precise extraction while preserving donor density and achieving natural-looking hairlines. Donor micro-wounds usually seal within 24–48 hours, most patients return to work by day 3, and normal daily routines are resumed within approximately 10 days.

What’s Included in the Package

Packages can be customized and prepared individually. For patients traveling from abroad, hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport, hotel, and hospital can be fully organized by our team.

Depending on the planned hair transplant procedure, the minimum recommended stay is 2 or 3 nights.

The package includes:

  • Preoperative blood tests

  • Same-day hospital admission

  • The surgical procedure

  • Post-procedure medications and treatments

The first wash after the procedure and follow-up evaluations at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months are performed by our medical team.

How Long Should I Stay in Istanbul?

Most patients stay at least 2 nights. However, a 3-night stay is often preferred, as it provides extra time for early recovery and makes it easier to complete the initial follow-up and aftercare instructions before travelling back.

FUE Hair Transplant Cost Factors in Turkey (2026)

The total cost of a FUE hair transplant may vary depending on several factors, including:

  • The facility where the procedure is performed (hospital, clinic, medical center, etc.)
  • The city and district where the healthcare facility is located
  • The experience of the physician performing the procedure
  • The technique used during the procedure
  • Additional examinations and treatments before and after the procedure
  • Length of stay, accommodation, and transportation costs related to the procedure
  • Flight ticket prices

What Is FUE Hair Transplant?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a minimally invasive hair transplant technique in which individual follicular units are harvested one by one from the donor area—typically the permanent zone at the back of the scalp—and implanted into thinning or bald areas.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and usually lasts 5–8 hours, depending on the number of grafts and the size of the treatment area.

What is Micro-Graft FUE

  • Performed under local anesthesia

  • Typical session duration: 6–7 hours

  • Uses third-generation 0.6–0.7 mm micro-punches

  • Donor area usually seals within 48–72 hours

  • Reduced tissue trauma and shorter downtime

Initial hair growth may begin around 3–4 months, visible cosmetic improvement is often noted by 6 months, and full maturation continues up to 12 months.

FUE vs DHI: Which Technique Fits You?

In the FUE technique, extracted hair follicles are implanted into channels opened with sharp surgical instruments using forceps. In the DHI technique, extracted hair follicles are implanted using surgical devices called Choi implanters.

If hair loss is extensive and the bald area is large, the FUE method is generally preferred. For smaller areas that are not completely bald, the DHI method may be more suitable.

DHI can be useful for smaller areas and when minimizing shaving is important.

FUE is often preferred for larger coverage and when a higher graft volume is needed.

Step by Step FUE Hair Transplant

  • Assessment: A specialist reviews medical history, medications, and hair-loss pattern to confirm candidacy and goals.
  • Pre-op briefing: You receive instructions (washing, food/meds, clothing) and the surgery schedule is confirmed.
  • Admission & labs: On the day, you arrive at our university-hospital setting; routine blood tests and preparation begin.
  • Shaving plan: Full or partial trim; for non-shaven plans, we brief you in clinic and trim only as needed.
  • Local anesthesia: Donor area is numbed; micro-punch extraction (≈0.6–0.7 mm) begins.
  • Graft handling: Follicles are counted and held in protective solutions under controlled conditions.
  • Recipient anesthesia: Target area is numbed. Micro-channels are opened to match native direction and density goals.
  • Implantation: Healthy follicles are placed one-by-one for a natural hairline and balanced coverage.
  • Medications & dressing: You receive antibiotics/analgesics; donor is dressed and the plan for next-day care is set.
  • First wash & training: Performed at the hospital; you’re shown the 10-day washing routine.

Benefits of FUE Hair Transplant

The recovery period is generally fast:

  • Wounds close within 48–72 hours

  • Scabs fall off within 8–10 days

  • Hair growth begins around 3–4 months

Post-procedure pain and complication rates are very low. Because hair is transplanted as single follicular units, results appear natural and dense. Unless significant underlying medical conditions are present, transplanted hair follicles are permanent and do not fall out again.

How Many Grafts Do I Need?

The required graft number depends on:

  • Size of the recipient area

  • Donor capacity

  • Hair thickness and caliber

  • Desired density

Cosmetic planning usually ranges between 25–40 grafts/cm², with higher density possible in selected areas. The final graft count is determined after clinical evaluation.

Who Is a Good Candidate for FUE Hair Transplant?

We differentiate between active and passive hair loss.

  • Active hair loss: Hair thinning is ongoing. Surgery alone does not stop miniaturization, so FUE is combined with medical therapy and conservative planning.

  • Passive hair loss: Hair loss has stabilized with well-defined bald areas. FUE produces more predictable and durable results.

Results & Realistic Expectations from a FUE hair transplant

A successful FUE hair transplant can restore approximately 50–60% density in completely bald areas. Factors affecting outcomes include age, hair thickness, skin tone, and donor density.

While full natural density cannot be completely restored, the human eye generally cannot distinguish between 60% and 100% density when hair distribution and angulation are correct. Donor-area scarring is minimal and typically unnoticeable.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ About FUE Hair Transplant

-Can I achieve natural-looking hair after a hair transplant?

With an experienced surgeon, proper planning, and suitability for the procedure, achieving a natural-looking result is possible. A well-planned FUE hair transplant should be indistinguishable from native growth.

-Is FUE hair transplantation a painful procedure?

With modern anesthetic medications and application techniques, pain is well controlled. While minor, temporary pain may be felt during the injection of anesthesia, it typically lasts only seconds. Once the anesthesia takes effect within 5–10 minutes, no pain is usually felt during the procedure. Additionally, psychological preparation for pain is important, and stress management methods, including verbal reassurance or medication, may be necessary for anxious patients.

-How soon can I return to normal life after a FUE hair transplant?

While healing speeds vary from person to person, the first wash is typically performed on the second or third day. Redness and scabbing may be noticeable in the recipient and donor areas, requiring some camouflage if necessary. However, unless engaging in intense physical activity, most patients can return to their daily routines soon after the procedure.

-Will my existing hair fall out after the FUE procedure?

Yes, temporary “shock loss” may occur in both the donor and recipient areas. Some healthy hair follicles may suffer minor trauma during extraction and transplantation. This is a temporary condition, and hair generally returns to normal within three months, growing along with the transplanted hairs.

-Is FUE safe for patients over 40?

Hair transplantation is very safe procedure itself on every age for healthy candidates. For those who has cardiolvascular disorders, hypertension, diabetes should be informed before the FUE surgery. Most complications are faced during the local anesthesia period.. For patients with pathologies anesthesia consultation before the surgery would be needed. These complication are easily controlled in the centers who have enough medical structures.

-What happens if hair loss is still active?

Medical therapy may be considered to the post-operative treatments. Controlling the entire hair loss after hair restoration will help you to get best outcomes from the fue hair transplant surgery.

-When will my transplanted hair start growing after FUE?

While a general timeline of 3–6 months is often mentioned, plastic surgery associations and medical literature suggest that the full process takes 12–15 months. Initially, transplanted hairs may grow thin, curly, or resemble body hair, but this appearance normalizes over time.

-Should every type of hair loss be treated with a FUE hair transplant?

No. Hair loss can occur due to various reasons, including early-age hair loss, postpartum shedding, infections, major surgeries, medication use, or endocrine disorders. A dermatologist or trichology specialist should diagnose the type of hair loss through one or more tests. Some hair loss types can be treated with simple medical therapies, while others may require complex and lengthy procedures. Before deciding on a transplant, a specialist should outline the most suitable treatment plan.

-Will all transplanted hairs grow after FUE hair transplant?

If no complications such as infection, trauma, endocrine disorders, or chemotherapy occur, transplanted hair generally grows at a rate of:

  • It can vary 85–90% in the frontal and mid-scalp regions
  • It can vary 60–70% in the vertex (crown) area

Medical Reviewer:

Dr. O. Gürcan Ergen, MD, PhD, MSc.
Hair Transplant Surgeon – Trichology – Public Health – Health Management
Clinista Hair Transplant Turkey
Last medical review: December 2025