Hair transplants and Turkey are often mentioned together. Recently, GQ magazine called Istanbul in Turkey the “global capital” of hair transplants. But why exactly is hair transplant Turkey so popular?
Almost every day, you’ll hear about a footballer coming to Turkey to restore his barnet. A Spanish movie by Warner Bros even portrays a group of friends getting hair transplants in Turkey; its poster features the words “Turkish Hairlines,” a play on Turkish Airlines. Turns out, there are more than a few reasons why hair transplants in Turkey are so popular.
Turkey Is Cheap
Note, I say “Turkey” is cheap, and hair transplants are cheap because of that. The cost of living in Turkey is low. Flights, hotels, anaesthesia, rent of operation theatres, and labour are cheaper in Turkey. The depreciation of the lira has made things even more affordable for medical tourists.
One of the biggest reasons why the hair transplant industry in Turkey has exploded in the last few years is that it is cheap compared to the US, UK, Europe, and other countries. You can expect to pay anywhere around £3,000 for a hair transplant in the UK. Some surgeons even charge as much as £30,000 for it.
Since hair transplant is a cosmetic procedure, it’s not available on the NHS, no matter the emotional distress hair loss causes. The same surgery would cost you about £1,500 in Turkey, even after factoring in the cost of the consultations and aftercare. Even after factoring in the costs of hotels, flights, and consumables, Turkey is cheaper still. And that’s one of the reasons why hair transplant in Turkey is so popular.
High Quality of Healthcare
Due to the low prices, many people assume that the quality of healthcare in Turkey is compromised. As mentioned above, it’s the Turkish economy that makes this surgery cheap. Moreover, the Turkish Ministry of Health has set standards for the hair transplant industry to ensure the safety of the patients. These are in line with EU regulations.
Moreover, many hair transplant surgeons in Turkey are affiliated with international organisations, such as the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) and the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS), among others. Many medical facilities in Turkey are accredited by the Joint Commission Internation (JCI).
And that’s not it. There are some of the best medical universities in the world in Turkey which produce medical professionals who exceed international standards. Surgeons in Turkey are revolutionising this procedure to make things even easier for medical tourists. Many foreigners even get trained in hair transplants by Turkish doctors.
“Technicians” and “assembly lines” are often mentioned to scare patients away from getting hair transplants in Turkey. However, numbers don’t lie. It’s the success stories of many, many patients that are driving more and more people to Turkey. According to the Turkish Health Tourism Association (TÜSATDER), 60% of the people come to Turkey based on recommendations from others.
Turkey Is A Popular Tourist Destination
Istanbul is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. And while you’re out and about, it’s quite normal to sight a bandaged head. After undergoing their hair transplants, people go on to enjoy the city, especially its food. Turkey is every traveller’s dream because of how much it offers.
Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and Galata Tower are just a few of the many, many historical landmarks. And if you’re in the mood for shopping, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Istiklal Caddesi, Balat, Çukurcuma, and many other places are the perfect places to be. Turkish cuisine is like no other, and there are quite a few nightlife attractions like Ritim, Beat, and Nardis Jazz Club.
Turkey Has The Ideal Location
Turkey is a part of both Asia and Europe. Naturally, it’s close to many countries on both continents. According to the Turkish Health Tourism Association (TÜSATDER), people from about 100 countries came to Turkey for hair transplants, including the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina, among other countries. Reportedly, it’s just a 4-hour flight distance from Ireland to India.
A short flight can bring you to Turkey for your hair transplant, and if you’re in a rush, you can go back the very next day. There are no long wait times that you need to suffer. You can book your surgery, get treated and return home in a matter of days. So this is another reason why hair transplant in Turkey is so popular. It’s just easy to come to Turkey than go anywhere else.
Conclusion
In the first half of 2022 alone, more than 500,000 people came to Turkey to restore their hair growth. It is a billion-dollar industry for a reason. And that’s because it offers quality healthcare services at prices that people can actually afford.
