Hair Transplant FAQ – FUE, DHI, Recovery & Antalya, Turkey

A hair transplant is a microsurgical procedure in which your own hair follicles are moved from a donor area — usually the back and sides of the scalp — to areas affected by thinning or hair loss.

Because the transplanted follicles come from the patient's own scalp, immune rejection of the grafts is not generally expected. The goal is to redistribute available donor hair in a way that creates a natural and balanced appearance.

What is a follicular unit?

A follicular unit is a naturally occurring group of one or more hairs together with the structures that support hair growth. During transplantation, these follicular units are carefully extracted, preserved and implanted into the planned recipient area.

Where does donor hair come from?

The donor area is usually located at the back and sides of the scalp. These follicles are often more resistant to androgen-related hair loss than follicles in the frontal or crown regions.

Donor-area capacity is a limited resource, which is why responsible extraction and long-term graft planning are important.

Hair transplant suitability depends on several factors rather than one single criterion.

• Hair-loss pattern: stable androgenetic hair loss is commonly suitable for transplantation.
• Donor-area capacity: sufficient healthy donor follicles are required for responsible planning.
• Age and future hair loss: younger patients may require more conservative long-term planning.
• General health: medical conditions and healing capacity are considered during assessment.
• Realistic expectations: donor hair is finite and treatment must be planned accordingly.

Suitability is determined individually by the medical team at OTEK Hair Clinic.

The required graft number depends on the size of the recipient area, donor-area capacity, hair caliber, hair-loss pattern, existing density and the patient's long-term restoration plan.

An estimated graft number is determined after individual assessment. Using the maximum possible number of grafts is not automatically the best strategy because the donor area is a limited resource.

Age alone is not the deciding factor. More important factors include the stability of hair loss, donor-area quality, general health and the expected future pattern of hair loss.

Younger patients often require more conservative planning because hair loss may continue over time. In older patients, the pattern may be more established and easier to plan for long term.

Yes. Women can be suitable candidates when the donor area is adequate and the cause and pattern of hair loss are appropriate for surgical restoration.

Female hair loss can have several causes, including genetics, hormonal changes, thyroid conditions and other medical factors. Individual assessment is therefore important.

Depending on the treatment plan, donor characteristics and required graft number, selected patients may also be suitable for partial-shave or more discreet approaches.

FUE – Follicular Unit Extraction refers primarily to the individual extraction of follicular units from the donor area using fine micro-instruments.

DHI – Direct Hair Implantation refers to an implantation approach in which prepared grafts are placed using a specialized implanter pen, allowing controlled placement according to the planned angle, direction and depth.

The most appropriate approach depends on the patient's donor area, recipient area, hair-loss pattern and individual treatment plan.

Hair transplantation is performed under local anesthesia. The initial application of anesthesia can cause temporary discomfort.

Once the areas are numb, patients generally experience little or no pain during graft extraction and implantation, although pressure or other sensations may still be noticed.

FUE-based extraction does not create the long linear scar associated with older strip-surgery techniques.

Individual follicular units are removed through small extraction sites. After healing, these generally leave tiny dot-like marks. Visibility varies according to extraction pattern, donor density, skin characteristics, healing response and haircut length.

Temporary redness, small extraction points and scabbing can be visible during early healing.

With appropriate FUE extraction and responsible donor-area management, follicles are distributed across the donor zone to help maintain a balanced appearance.

A hair transplant usually takes several hours. The exact duration depends on the estimated graft number, treatment strategy, donor area and complexity of the case.

The goal is a natural-looking result that fits the patient's facial proportions, existing hair and long-term hair-loss pattern.

Natural appearance depends on hairline design, graft selection, direction, angle, distribution, donor quality and individual hair characteristics.

Final density and appearance vary between patients and cannot be guaranteed in advance.

Hair transplant results develop gradually. Temporary shedding of transplanted hair can occur during the first weeks.

New growth generally begins during the following months and gradually becomes stronger and more visible.

Noticeable improvement is commonly seen over approximately 6–9 months, while the overall result is usually assessed around 12 months. Crown areas may mature more slowly.

Hair transplant outcomes depend on several factors.

• Correct patient selection and treatment planning.
• Donor-area quality and responsible extraction.
• Careful graft handling and preservation.
• Hairline design and graft distribution.
• Individual healing characteristics.
• Following post-transplant instructions.

Patients receive individual post-transplant instructions.

• Protect the transplanted area from pressure and rubbing.
• Follow the recommended washing technique.
• Avoid strenuous exercise during the instructed recovery period.
• Avoid swimming, sauna and direct sun until medically appropriate.
• Contact the clinic if questions arise during recovery.

OTEK provides 18 months of expert follow-up support after hair transplantation.

Hair transplant procedures at OTEK Hair Clinic in Antalya, Turkey are carried out with physician involvement and a specialized medical team.

Medical suitability, treatment strategy, donor-area evaluation, hairline planning and estimated graft number are determined individually.

OTEK Hair Clinic is led by Dr. Ertan Karaçay and Dr. Okan Tanın. Meet the doctors at OTEK Hair Clinic .

Yes. OTEK Hair Clinic is a medical outpatient clinic in Antalya licensed by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey to perform hair transplant procedures.

The OTEK TriBoost® Protocol is a three-stage supportive protocol integrated into the hair transplantation journey.

• Stage 1 – Before transplantation: Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).
• Stage 2 – During transplantation: Exosome Therapy and Tissue Transplant Solution.
• Stage 3 – Day 1 after transplantation: topical Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), prepared from the patient's own blood.

The protocol provides structured supportive care before, during and immediately after transplantation.

OTEK provides 18 months of expert follow-up support after hair transplantation.

Patients can receive guidance throughout healing and the different stages of post-transplant hair growth after returning home.

The standard hair transplant package is structured around approximately 4 days / 3 nights, including arrival, procedure, follow-up and the first wash.

See the complete hair transplant process .

No. International flights are booked separately by the patient.

Transfer and accommodation services depend on the selected package.

Yes. Patients may travel with a partner, family member or companion.

Accommodation arrangements depend on the selected package. See the current hair transplant packages .

Yes. Many international patients stay in Antalya for several days around their procedure.

After transplantation, recovery instructions should take priority. Patients should temporarily avoid activities such as direct sun, swimming, strenuous exercise and anything that may cause friction or impact to the transplanted area.

International patients receive support from an English-speaking coordinator during planning, clinic communication and their stay in Antalya.

Hair transplant prices depend on the selected package and included services.

Packages may include the procedure, private transfers, accommodation, supportive care and post-transplant follow-up.

See current hair transplant prices and package inclusions .

The initial assessment usually begins with clear photographs of the hairline, areas affected by hair loss and the donor area.

The medical team evaluates the hair-loss pattern, donor capacity and treatment goals before preparing a preliminary treatment plan and estimated graft number.

A direct online consultation with the doctor can be arranged when appropriate.

Antalya is an established destination for international medical travel and hair transplantation.

Patients should focus on the quality of the individual clinic, including medical licensing, physician involvement, donor-area planning, treatment transparency, aftercare and long-term support.

Choosing a licensed medical clinic with clear responsibility for patient care is more important than choosing the lowest advertised price.