Hair Transplant Surgery
- by Andrew Mackay
- Medical review by Dr. Lawrence Barnard, MD
- Updated:
Hair transplant surgery is a minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure for people suffering from hair loss. The treatment can permanently restore the hair of men and women who are balding by transplanting hair into thinning areas.
Hair transplant surgery is becoming increasingly popular. Technological advancements have allowed the treatment to move on from the ugly hair plugs of the past. This — combined with a reduction in hair transplant costs — has made the procedure increasingly common.
Hair restoration procedures don't have the same social stigma as they once did, with celebrities and athletes being open about getting a hair transplant. But, with so much information available online, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
The content has been reviewed for quality and accuracy to the best of our knowledge by Qunomedical and its Medical Board of Experts.
Hair Transplant Surgery: Treatments and Techniques
Hair Transplant Surgery: What Are the Different Types Available?
Today, there are lots of different types of hair transplant procedures available. These methods vary because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hair restoration procedures since there’s no ‘typical’ hair transplant patient. The right one for you will depend on what type of hair loss you have and how many grafts you want. If you chose Qunomedical as your partner for your procedure, this can be discussed with your Patient Manager and your chosen doctor.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE, FUE harvesting)
The FUE technique is one of the most popular hair transplantation methods as it’s the least invasive and has minimal downtime.
The FUE method involves a specialist harvesting hair follicles from a donor area — usually the back of your head — under local anaesthesia. These follicles are then transplanted to where your hair loss is to create a natural, uniform look. FUE is traditionally performed by using steel blades to make the incisions for transplantation, however, some clinicians prefer using tools such as sapphire blades, which are becoming increasingly popular.
Some surgeons use ARTAS for an FUE hair transplant, a robotic surgical technique that uses algorithms to detect viable hairs for transplantation. Robotic technology can allow for greater precision and is currently used at a number of reputable clinics.
The number of hair grafts that you have transplanted through the FUE method will depend on the extent of your hair loss and the eligibility of the hair in your donor area. In most cases, patients usually have around 2,000 grafts transplanted. Doctors and clinics may advise that the maximum number of grafts that can be transplanted during one FUE session is around 4,000-5,000.
FUE hair transplant before and after at Suzermed, Istanbul.
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI)
Direct hair implantation, or DHI, is a similar technique to FUE. However, it differs in that DHI uses a special tool known as a Choi Implanter Pen. This allows extracted hair grafts to be implanted straightaway and more precisely, reducing the risk of the hair follicles becoming damaged.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT, Follicular Unit Strip Surgery, Strip Harvesting)
Developed in the 1950s, FUT involves a surgeon removing a strip of skin from the donor area (usually the back of the patient’s head) under local anaesthesia, dividing it into smaller grafts, and then implanting them into place on the recipient sites.
With this method, the patient has a permanent scar in the place where the scalp was removed, and the recovery time is around two weeks. FUT is an old school method that’s less commonly undertaken due to the fact that it leaves scarring following treatment. However, it can still provide effective, natural-looking results and in some cases, it may be the only viable method, depending on your circumstances.
Before / After Photos
How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost?
Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to how much a hair transplant costs.
Prices can change based on:
Which hair transplant technique you choose.
How many grafts you need.
Which doctor or clinic you go to.
If you get a hair transplant in the UK or abroad (where prices are cheaper).
If you need more than one hair transplant.
Most Qunomedical patients tend to book their treatment six months to one year in advance so they can save up for it. You’ll pay for the majority of your surgery on the day of your procedure.
Below, we’ve outlined average starting prices for a 2,000 graft FUE hair transplant across a variety of countries. However, bear in mind that these are not fixed or guaranteed and may vary based on your individual circumstances.
| Country | Price (EUR €) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €1,750 |
| Poland | €2,700 |
| Hungary | €2,900 |
| Germany | €3,000 |
| Spain | €3,200 |
| Thailand | €3,600 |
| Mexico | €3,800 |
| USA | €4,960 |
| United Kingdom | €5,000 |
| Ireland | €10,500 |
Hair Transplant Surgery FAQs
What Hair Transplant Surgery Is Right for Me?
What Are Grafts and Follicular Units?
How Long Does a Hair Transplant Take?
What Is the Recovery Time After a Hair Transplant?
What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Hair Transplant Surgery?
Can You Get Full Coverage With a Hair Transplant?
Will It Be Obvious That I've Had a Transplant?
Does Hair Transplant Surgery Hurt?
Is Hair Transplant Surgery Only for Men?
What Are the Results of a Hair Transplant?
Hair transplant surgery results have improved significantly over recent years. That being said, they can vary from patient to patient, as they’re dependent on hairlines and hair coverage prior to the treatment. Depending on the aims of the hair transplant surgery, successful results can range from the slight lowering of a hairline, to complete coverage in a previously bald area.
Results become noticeable after each growth cycle (typically every six weeks). Within the first cycle after the procedure, the hair follicles should start generating new hair growth, however, this won’t be visible initially. Throughout the following cycles the hair should become thicker and although these results are often visible, the full scope of a hair transplant usually occurs between 12–18 months after treatment.
For optimal results, it’s important to carefully follow the post-operative care guidelines. Most doctors also recommend things like minimising alcohol consumption and smoking in the weeks following the procedure, as this can contribute to poor graft survival. Overall though, hair transplant success rates have increased significantly in recent years.
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Hair Transplants - Abroad or at Home?
While there are good options for having a hair transplant in the UK, the increasing number of patients seeking treatment abroad has made the decision to have cosmetic surgery outside of your home country more common. But, why?
There are a few reasons why people go abroad for hair transplants:
The cost of a hair transplant abroad can be 80% less than in the UK.
Some of the most experienced doctors are based abroad .
The quality of care offered abroad matches — and often exceeds — what’s offered at home.
Access to hair transplants abroad is often easier, with more doctors and shorter waiting lists.
Hair transplant clinics overseas are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities that are designed specifically for internationally patients.
Going abroad allows you to recover in a safe and private space.
Hair Transplants Surgery Abroad: How Does It Work?
Travelling abroad for healthcare can feel daunting. However, clinics overseas are well-versed in caring for international patients and have systems in place that ensure that undergoing a hair transplant abroad is as straightforward as it would be at home. Below, we’ve answered a few common questions about undergoing hair transplant surgery abroad.
1. Do They Doctors and Clinic Staff Speak English?
2. How Do I Get to and From the Clinic for My Treatment?
3. How Does the Post-Op Stage Work and What Happens if I Have Questions When I Get Home?
4. Which Country Is Best for Hair Transplant Surgery?
Why Choose Qunomedical For a Hair Transplant?
At Qunomedical, we’ll work with you to find high-quality, affordable hair transplant options that are right for you. We’ll also provide you with information on hair transplants abroad, so you can choose from the highest-quality doctors worldwide.
✔ 100% free, non-binding assessment: We offer every patient who approaches Qunomedical a 100% free and non-binding assessment.
✔ Professionally vetted doctors and clinics: Qunoscore — our proprietary scoring system — uses over 20 data points, assessing doctors based on their qualifications, experience, value for money, accreditations, reviews from past patients, and more.
✔ Qunomedical-exclusive packages: For hair transplants abroad, we offer unique hair transplant packages, which include all the arrangements, like airport transfers and hotels, so your journey is as stress-free as possible.
✔ Money back guarantee: If you don’t feel confident to go through with your treatment — whether it be one month, one week, one day, or even one hour before your treatment — we’ll give you your money back and issue you a refund of up to €300 towards the cost of your flights.
✔ Price match: Found a hair transplant surgery at the same clinic, with the same doctor, cheaper somewhere else? Let us know and we’ll match the price.
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Sources:
Zito, P. (2022). "Hair Transplantation". Last visited 06.01.2023
Hair Transplant Reviews
Hair Transplant Reviews
4.901.12.2022
the whole process was very good from the airport pickup to the hotel hotel to hospital and back again i was very impressed with Dr yavuz and his team, super professional and very good at their jobs the driver he has is very engaging and helpful i highly recommend Dr yavuz and his team. The result so far is everything he said it would be i am very happy. the hotel was very good and the staff very helpful. The only down side was taxi drivers not ordered through the hotel would rip you off by demanding outrageous fares and not using the meter when you agree on a price they demand more on arrival very bad for tourism i was in town for 6 nights only went out twice because of this. I was hoping to see more of Istanbul but was put off by the rouge taxi drivers.
22.02.2021
I had the transplant on the 5th of March 2020 all I can say is the experience was great from start to finish the doctor was professional and friendly and helpful and the team that did the work were brilliant overall it was a great experience and I have a good result at the end of it. I would definitely recommend Dr Kaya and his team.
20.02.2021
Can only recommend it to everyone to book a hair transplant in Turkey with and through Qunomedical !!!
10.02.2021
The whole experience was very smooth and professional, you're well looked after and any queries they're are more than happy to help!
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