Hair loss is an issue that is estimated to affect up to 40% of men. It is generally determined by genetics, meaning there is not much that can be done to naturally prevent or reverse male pattern baldness. Women can also experience some degree of hair loss, but it is a problem that predominantly affects men.

More and more men are becoming interested in hair transplant procedures. However, such procedures are expensive in countries such as the UK and USA, and finding a competent doctor who is able to carry out a hair transplant can be difficult.

In the UK, you could expect to pay up to £16,000 for a hair transplant. This prohibitive cost has resulted in patients looking elsewhere to undergo the procedure.

The new hotspot for men (or women) seeking a hair transplant is Turkey. The hair transplant industry in Turkey is booming, with specialist clinics with highly trained and qualified doctors being able to perform hair transplants for a fraction of the price.

The lower prices offered by Turkish clinics does not reflect in any way on the quality of the service you receive. In fact, Turkey has become one of the world leaders when it comes to hair transplants. They were one of the first places in the world to offer FUE hair transplants. FUE stands for ‘follicular unit extraction’, and involves removing a hair follicle from a donor location – usually the head – and transplanting it to the recipient site. This will be where hair is thinning or receding. The transplanted follicles will then grow hair that looks strong, natural and fuller.

The FUE hair transplant is a safe and minimally-invasive hair transplant procedure. Unlike strip hair transplant surgery, FUE transplants leave scarring that is invisible to the naked eye, and have a much quicker recovery time. The procedure is carried out under local anesthetic, with only the areas that are being worked on being numbed. Small scabs will appear where the follicles were removed and transplanted, but these should be completely healed within a week.

Many people may be worried or skeptical about undergoing medical or cosmetic procedures abroad. This caution is natural. However, as the number one destination for medical tourism, Turkish clinics must stick to strict regulations and the staff have to comply with international standards of training. In Turkey, only trained doctors are allowed to perform hair transplant procedures. In the UK, cosmetic surgeons tend to offer a wide range of treatments. In Turkey, the doctors who perform hair transplants are specialists in that field with years of training.

If you are considering a hair transplant in Turkey, most clinics offer ‘all-inclusive’ packages that offer prices upfront with no hidden charges. The vera clinic can help with flights and accommodation during your stay, plus transfers to and from the airport, transport from your hotel to the clinic, and all clinic and doctors’ fees plus the cost of the procedure itself. Even when the cost of travel to Turkey and accommodation costs are taken into account, a hair transplant is still likely to be cheaper than at home.