The global beauty industry has undergone remarkable changes over the past two decades. You can now customize every feature of your body to your liking, making it possible to look like a 20-something in your mid-40s.
Women are saying goodbye to wrinkles and men suffering from baldness are embracing fuller, fuller hair. However, these beauty enhancements often come at a high cost.
And this is one of the reasons why Turkey has become the go-to destination for many men battling hair loss.
Men looking to restore their hairlines and cover bald spots are flocking to Turkey, cementing its reputation as the hair transplant capital of the world.
India Today contacted several experts to know more about the hair transplant situation in the country.
growing popularity
“Turkey has become a leading destination for hair transplants due to several factors, including highly skilled and experienced surgeons, advanced medical equipment, and significantly lower costs compared to Western countries.” Artemis says Dr. Vipul Nanda, head of the hospital’s plastic surgery department. , Gurugram.
The doctor said the country also offers comprehensive medical tourism packages, including accommodation and transportation, and that local clinics use the latest technology and techniques to ensure high-quality results. He added that there is.
“The combination of affordability, expertise and quality makes Turkey the first choice for people seeking hair transplants,” he says.
Adding to this, Dr. Amrendra Kumar, a World Hair Transplant Board (GHTB) certified hair transplant surgeon in the Department of Dermatology (AIIMS), says, “In Turkey, the government provides great support to the hair transplant industry. – A recognized hair transplant clinic that guarantees high standards and quality.”
“Furthermore, the Turkish government provides financial support to each person who visits Turkey for treatment. This significant support and the geographical location that connects Turkey with different parts of the world make Turkey a It has become a more attractive destination for medical tourism in the sector,” explains the doctor.
Dr Kumar also said Türkiye’s black market for the procedure is also growing, which is a cause for concern.
Let’s talk about costs
Experts believe that the cost of hair transplantation varies based on factors such as the number of grafts needed, the clinic, and the surgeon’s expertise.
“The average cost in Turkey is between $1,500 and $3,500 (approximately Rs. 1,24,000 and Rs. 2,90,000), which is significantly lower than in Western countries. Even in India, the cost is between $1,000 and $3,000 (approximately Rs. 83,000 and 2,000). ,90,000) and around Rs.2,50,000, depending on similar factors,” says Dr. Nanda.
Both Turkey and India offer high quality services at a fraction of the price of the US or Europe. Türkiye and India offer competitive costs for hair transplant surgery (Photo: Getty Images)
Why did Turkey win?
Dr. Amrendra Kumar said that despite having skilled doctors and medical technology on par with Turkey, a key area where India is lacking is government support.
“There are no comparable financial incentives or government-approved clinics specializing in hair transplants.Despite the high skill level and expertise of Indian doctors, this lack of support makes Indian clinics one of the world’s “We are at a disadvantage in the medical tourism market,” he says.
Experts feel that hair transplant surgery is gaining considerable popularity in India due to increasing awareness and demand for cosmetic treatments among both men and women.
The rise of social media and growing social acceptance of cosmetic procedures have also contributed to the growing popularity of hair transplants in India.
India Today tried to contact several hair transplant clinics in Turkey such as Hermesto Hair Transplant, HWT Clinic, Turkish Hair Transplant Center Official, Smile Hair Clinic, but which clinic also did not want to comment on the matter.
What are the steps?
Simply put, a hair transplant procedure involves moving hair follicles from a hair-dense area of the body, called the donor area, to a bald or thinning area, called the recipient area.
There are two main methods of hair transplantation. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). In FUT, a piece of scalp is removed from the donor area, and individual hair follicular units are cut out and transplanted into the recipient area. FUE uses a micropunch to extract and transplant individual follicles directly from the donor area. The procedure begins with local anesthesia, followed by extraction of the hair follicle, preparation of the transplant site, and transplantation of the hair follicle. Transplanted hair typically falls out after a few weeks, but begins to regrow within a few months, with full results in about a year.
Does it hurt?
The treatment time varies depending on the person, but generally it is about 4 to 8 hours. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure, but you may experience some discomfort.
After surgery, patients may experience mild pain, swelling, and discomfort in the donor and recipient areas, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication and proper aftercare.
Aftercare
Post-surgery care includes keeping your scalp clean, avoiding direct sunlight, and avoiding strenuous exercise for several weeks. It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding hair washing and taking prescribed medications to prevent infection and reduce swelling.
Hair transplants are generally safe and require no downtime, but there are risks such as infection, scarring, unnatural hair growth, and folliculitis.
alternative
If not a hair transplant, you may also choose non-surgical options such as medications (finasteride or minoxidil) to slow hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is another option that uses light to stimulate hair growth. Scalp micropigmentation involves tattooing small dots on the scalp to create the illusion of fuller hair. Additionally, wigs, hairpieces, and hair extensions can be temporary solutions. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which uses your own blood to stimulate hair growth, is also an effective treatment.
Each alternative has its own benefits and limitations, and its effectiveness will vary from person to person.
Publisher:
Mehak Malhotra
Publication date:
June 3, 2024
