1) What is a ‘punch’?

Punch is a pen like instrument applied in the FUE transplantation technique used by the hair transplant surgeon to pluck out the hair follicles one by one from the donor area.

2) What is Follicular Unit?

A follicular unit is made up of natural groups of hairs (normally 1 to 4) consisting of sebaceous glands, nerves and a small bunch of vellus hairs. The hairs in this naturally occurring group grow together as part of a single follicular unit. This guarantees more natural looking results and normal hair growth after hair transplantation. For this reason the follicular unit is considered superior to other grafts used in hair transplant surgery, such as mini and micro grafts, where the groups of hair are manually brought together for the purpose of transplantation.

3) What are the micro-mini grafts?

Micro grafts and mini grafts are manually formed (not naturally occurring) groups of hairs, respectively 1 to 3 hairs and 3-5 hairs.

4) Where is the donor hair taken from?

Patient’s existing hair is used for restoration of the hair growth in the balding areas of the head. The area between both ears and the back of the head is referred to as ‘donor area’ and usually contains healthy, persistent hair that has no genetic sensitivity to the DHT enzyme and stays unaffected by the male pattern baldness.

5) Can I use other person’s hair as a donor hair?

Unfortunately using someone else’s hair as a donor for your hair transplantation is not possible. There is a high risk your body to reject the donor hair therefore the donor hair must be your own.

6) Should I cut my hair short before the procedure?

Shaving or cutting your hair short before a hair transplant surgery is obligatory only for patients who will undergo a FUE hair transplant procedure. It is not necessary and not advisable for patients undergoing a FUT procedure where the density of hair should be preserved.

7) Which hair transplantation method is better FUT or FUE?

The FUE method is less invasive without causing damage to the scalp, however it is more time consuming and tiresome, and therefore more expensive than the FUT. While the FUT is associated with scars that need longer time to heal, the FUE provides faster healing and less discomfort. In our clinics both methods are performed with equal level of quality and the outcomes are not different in terms of natural looking results.

8) Who is suitable for a FUE procedure?

FUE is recommended to patients who like to wear their hair short or patients who have an exceptionally tight skin on the scalp and thus higher chance of scarring. The FUE hair transplant is also a very good option for patients who have undergone FUT hair transplantation. In the majority of cases the FUE is applied in order to disguise or cover a linear scar left from a previous FUT hair transplant procedure or any other surgical intervention that left marks to the skin. FUE is usually preferred by individuals who are reluctant to surgical procedures and who are looking for more comfortable post-operative recovery. FUE is also suitable when smaller number of follicles is required to cover very tiny recipient areas such as the crown of the head, traces of burns or marks.

9) Who is suitable for a FUT procedure?

FUT is recommended to patients who are limited in time and require a quick hair transplant procedure, where maximum hair restoration can be achieved in one single procedure. The FUT method is also a preferred choice among patients that don’t mind the longer recovery period, normally don’t wear their hair short and therefore do not fear visibility of post-operational scars. FUT may be advised to patients by whom the individual extraction of single follicular unit proves to be extremely difficult and inefficient.

10) Which transplant method is the right for me?

The choice and execution of the most proper hair transplant technique is of utmost importance for the outcome of the operation. Although your own preference for a hair transplant method will be taken into consideration, the most appropriate method for you will be defined upon careful examination of your skin and hair structure by the hair transplant specialist during your initial consultation.

11) How big is the strip of skin removed in the FUT?

The size of the donor strip is no bigger than 1 mm of width and 10 cm of length.

12) How long does a hair transplant procedure last?

Depending on the area of baldness that has to be covered and respectively up to the number of follicular units that need to be extracted and transplanted, the surgery may be prolonged from five to eight hours in FUT and from eight to twelve hours in FUE. Since the FUE procedure is more time consuming and exhausting for the patient it can be separated into two days.

13) Is the hair transplant procedure painful?

No, since the hair transplant surgery is performed under a local anaesthesia you will not feel any pain at all.

14) How experienced are the surgeons in your clinic?

In our clinic work especially qualified and highly skilled hair transplant surgeons with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of modern hair transplantation. With hundreds of hair transplant procedures performed each year you couldn’t be at safer hands. You will have the chance to convince yourself in the professionalism of our physician team at your first preliminary exam at clinic’s premises.

15) Will the newly transplanted hair start to grow at all?

Yes it will. It takes time however until the transplanted hair roots resume their normal growth cycle. The hair roots will remain latent for a period from one up to three months. Once they start to grow, initially the hair will be thin, but with time it will increase its volume and thickness. Complete hair restoration and fully grown hair can be expected within eight to twelve months after the procedure.

16) What are the chances the transplanted hair to fall off?

The newly transplanted hair roots are genetically resistant to the factors causing male and female pattern baldness therefore the chances to lose them are minimal.

17) How natural the results can be?

Once the proper technique has been applied in the most professional manner you can be 100 % sure of the natural looking results after the procedure. No one could ever tell that you have undergone a hair restoration surgery.

18) How can I conceal any scars received from a hair transplant surgery?

Scar revision and scar camouflage are two methods applied with great success in covering any marks and scars following a hair restoration procedure. While scar revision involves changing scar’s direction, scar camouflage is accomplished through hair being transplanted into scar’s location which is normally achieved though a second FUE procedure.

19) How much it will cost me?

Depending on the stage of baldness, the individual’s skin and hair structure, up to the hair transplant method to be applied and in accordance with the expertise of the hair transplant surgeon, the costs of a hair transplant surgery may vary significantly. Normally patterns of baldness that require less efforts and standard hair transplantation techniques cost less compared to those that involve more hard work and usage of more complex techniques.

20) What is the most suitable age to undergo a hair transplant surgery?

There is no specified age or time period considered as the most appropriate for having a hair transplant surgery. Any person that is experiencing a sudden, severe or significant hair loss can consider hair transplant as an option after a consultation with a dermatologist. Even though your hair loss may not resemble the typical male or female pattern baldness, a diagnosis may be needed to define the cause of your current condition. Do not hesitate to consult a hair transplant surgeon regarding a future operation. Hair loss can occur for various reasons and in most of the cases can be treated successfully. Most of our patients take their first hair transplant procedure before they start losing significant amount of hair.

21) Why do you recommend a hair transplant surgery abroad?

By purchasing a hair transplant treatment package in Istanbul you can cut a significant amount of costs. Despite all travel costs involved for getting to and from Istanbul, transportation and hotel stay, you will still be able to save up to 50 % of the amount you would normally spare for the same hair transplant procedure being performed in your home country or in another clinic in US or Western Europe. Besides, the medical service that one receives in Istanbul has levelled to the highest world standards in terms of quality, technology and equipment.