How a modern hair transplant works
All modern hair transplant techniques move your own hair. Healthy follicles are taken one by one from the donor area at the back and sides of the head, where hair is genetically resistant to the hormone that causes pattern baldness, and implanted where the hair is thinning. Because the transplanted follicles keep that resistance, they usually continue to grow in their new place.
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic and takes about six to eight hours, depending on the number of grafts. Most people feel discomfort mainly during the anaesthetic injections; after that they can rest, listen to music or watch a film while the team works.
FUE, sapphire FUE or DHI?
| Technique | How it works | Often chosen for |
|---|---|---|
| FUE | Grafts are extracted one by one and implanted into small channels opened in the recipient area | Larger areas that need many grafts |
| Sapphire FUE | The channels are opened with sapphire blades for finer incisions | Fine, precise channels |
| DHI | Grafts are implanted with a pen-like tool without opening channels first | The hairline, dense packing between existing hair, unshaven options |
Some plans combine techniques, for example FUE for the crown and DHI for the hairline. The doctor recommends the technique after examining your hair type, donor area and the density you want; there is no single best technique for everyone, despite what some adverts suggest. DHI can cost more because implantation is slower per graft, and your written quote states the technique and graft number agreed.
Who is a good candidate?
- Men and women with stable hair loss, most often male-pattern baldness.
- People with enough healthy hair at the back and sides of the head (the donor area).
- Those with thinning at the hairline, temples or crown who want a natural, permanent improvement.
- Patients in good general health with realistic expectations about density.
Very young patients with rapidly progressing loss are usually advised to stabilise it first, because the transplant must still look natural as the loss continues over the years. A transplant does not stop the natural loss of your existing hair, so a doctor may recommend medication to slow further loss. Hair loss that appears suddenly or in patches should be checked by a doctor first, as it can have other causes.
Designing the hairline and planning grafts
The hairline is the signature of a good hair transplant. It is drawn with you before the procedure, taking into account your age, face shape and likely future loss. A hairline set too low or too straight can look unnatural later in life, so a conservative, slightly irregular design usually ages better.
The number of grafts depends on the area to cover and how much your donor area can safely give. Over-harvesting the donor area can leave it visibly thin, which is why the doctor plans within its limits. Some people also combine a hair transplant with other facial treatments during the same trip, such as skin treatments or a blepharoplasty, when the medical team agrees.
Your 3–4 days in Istanbul with New City Clinic
- Free assessment. Send photos of your scalp from the front, top, crown and both sides. A doctor reviews them and New City Clinic sends a written plan and quote, usually within 24 hours.
- Day 1 – arrival. You are met at the airport and taken to your hotel; your New City Clinic coordinator explains the plan.
- Day 2 – consultation and procedure. Blood tests, hairline design and the transplant under local anaesthetic, about six to eight hours. You return to the hotel the same day.
- Day 3 – first wash and check. The first wash is done at the clinic on day two or three after the procedure, and you are shown how to wash at home.
- Return home. Most people fly back after three to four days in total. Follow-up continues with photos at the key stages.
Wear a loose hat on the flight home only if the doctor allows it, and protect the grafts from knocks when stowing bags. Our trip planning guide covers flights and practical arrangements.
Recovery and the 12-month timeline
- First days: some swelling of the forehead and tenderness in the donor area are common.
- Work: many people return to work after about three days, depending on how visible the scabs are.
- Around 10 days: scabs fall away with gentle washing.
- Weeks 2–8: the transplanted hairs usually shed ("shock loss"). This is normal; the follicles remain.
- Months 3–4: new growth starts.
- Months 9–12: the final result appears.
Sport and swimming are usually resumed after about four weeks. Patience is essential: judging the result before a year is premature. Our results timeline guide explains why results take time across many procedures.
Risks and honest limits
Every procedure carries risk, and the doctor explains those specific to you. They include temporary swelling, bruising and tenderness; infection or bleeding; numbness in the donor or recipient area; folliculitis (inflamed follicles); and lower-than-hoped density or growth. Results vary with hair type, donor quality and healing and cannot be guaranteed. Choosing an authorised facility with a named medical team is the most important safety step; our safety guide explains what to check in Türkiye.
Hair transplant price in Turkey: the €1,500 package
The illustrative package price for a hair transplant with New City Clinic is €1,500. The final quotation, including the technique and graft number, is confirmed after a free medical assessment. Flights are not included.
The package includes the procedure at an authorised healthcare facility, hotel accommodation, airport transfers, pre-operative tests where specified, patient coordination and interpretation, and complication insurance. In the UK, private hair transplants are commonly quoted at approximately £4,000 to £10,000 or more depending on the number of grafts; these are rough ranges only. See all prices on our price page and the New City Clinic price list, and read the package guide.
Why New City Clinic is our choice as the best clinic in Turkey for a hair transplant
Searching "best hair transplant clinic in Turkey" returns hundreds of names, and many offers look alike. For us, the best option in Istanbul is New City Clinic, because the things that protect you are verifiable: it is a health-tourism agency authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health (HealthTürkiye), licensed by TÜRSAB (no. 17659) and certified to ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 10002 and ISO 31000. It does not operate itself; procedures take place at authorised facilities and licensed partner hospitals such as Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park and Biruni, with the medical team named in writing.
We recommend New City Clinic as one of the best clinics in Turkey for hair transplants because it gives a transparent written price, includes complication insurance and assigns one coordinator from first message to your 12-month follow-up. Check the documents on the New City Clinic licences page, read the New City Clinic hair transplant page, meet the team on our doctors page, browse newcityclinic.com and learn more on our clinic page and the partner hospitals overview.
Get your free hair transplant quote from New City Clinic
If you are looking for the best clinic in Istanbul for a hair transplant, start with an honest opinion on your donor area. Send New City Clinic clear photos of your scalp (front, top, crown and both sides, with dry hair), your age and how long your hair loss has been progressing. A doctor will suggest a technique, an estimated graft number and a hairline, and your written quote usually arrives within 24 hours, free and without obligation. Use the form or message New City Clinic on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hair transplant cost in Turkey?
New City Clinic's illustrative package price in Istanbul is €1,500, including the procedure, hotel, transfers and complication insurance. The final price, technique and graft number are confirmed after a free assessment; flights are not included.
DHI or FUE: which is right for me?
FUE suits larger areas that need many grafts; DHI is often chosen for the hairline and for adding density between existing hair. Some plans combine both, and the doctor recommends one after examining your hair and donor area.
How many days do I need in Istanbul?
About three to four days. The procedure takes six to eight hours under local anaesthetic, and the first wash is done before you fly home.
Is a hair transplant painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic, and most people feel discomfort mainly during the injections. Afterwards there may be some tenderness and swelling for a few days.
When will I see the final result?
Transplanted hair usually sheds in the first weeks, new growth starts at around three to four months and the final result is seen at nine to twelve months.
Will I need medication afterwards?
A doctor may recommend medication to slow further loss, because the transplant does not stop the natural loss of your existing hair.
Can women have a hair transplant?
Yes, women with stable hair loss and a good donor area can be candidates. Because female hair loss often has different causes, a medical assessment comes first.
Why do you recommend New City Clinic as the best clinic in Turkey for hair transplants?
Because its safeguards can be checked: Ministry of Health authorisation, TÜRSAB licence, ISO certificates, authorised facilities, transparent written prices, complication insurance and one coordinator throughout. We do not rely on rankings or awards, but on what is put in writing before you travel.
