A hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which hair follicles are taken from the back of the scalp, where hair is more resistant to shedding, and placed in areas that have thinned or become bald. It is done under local anesthesia and must be performed by a doctor in a licensed healthcare facility. At our clinic in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, hair transplants are performed by Dr. Sevgi Ekiyor herself.

It is an option for bald areas where no follicles remain, but it does not stop the process that causes hair loss. Because male-pattern hair loss can progress, existing hair around the transplanted area may continue to shed. The result depends on the donor area, hair thickness and your tendency to lose hair, so it varies from person to person.

A transplant is therefore considered as part of a plan that addresses the cause of hair loss. Before deciding, the following are assessed:

• Type of hair loss: in male-pattern loss the front and crown open up, while in female-pattern loss hair usually thins diffusely.
• Blood tests: iron, ferritin, B12, vitamin D and thyroid levels are checked.
• Scalp condition: any crusting, itching or redness is treated first.
• Donor area: how many follicles can be taken depends on the condition of the back of the scalp.

In both FUE and DHI, follicles are taken one by one from the back of the scalp with the help of a micromotor. The main difference is how they are placed in the recipient area.

• FUE hair transplant (Follicular Unit Extraction): small channels are first opened in the area to be transplanted, and the collected follicles are then placed in these channels. It is often chosen when larger bald areas need to be covered.
• DHI hair transplant (Direct Hair Implantation): the follicles are loaded into a pen with a hollow tip (an implanter), and channel opening and placement happen at the same time. It may be chosen when hair needs to be added between existing hairs to increase density.

Neither technique is generally superior. Dr. Ekiyor performs both and chooses for each patient based on the size of the bald area, existing hair density, the donor area and hair structure. Sometimes both are used in the same plan.

Before the procedure, you are examined, your blood tests are reviewed and the area is planned. Tell the doctor about any medicines, especially blood thinners and supplements that can increase bleeding; the doctor decides whether to stop them. Avoid alcohol and smoking in the days before.

1. The hairline and the transplant area are drawn according to your facial proportions.
2. The hair in the donor area is trimmed and a local anesthetic is given.
3. Follicles are taken one by one from the back of the scalp.
4. The follicles are placed in the recipient area using the chosen technique (FUE or DHI).
5. The donor area is dressed and your first aftercare instructions are given.

A hair transplant takes about 6–8 hours, depending on the size of the area, the number of follicles and the technique. You are awake throughout, and breaks for rest and food are given.

Aftercare follows the instructions you are given. In general:

• Protect the area: do not touch, scratch or press on it in the first days.
• Washing: do the first wash exactly as and when you are shown.
• Sun and heat: protect your scalp from the sun, saunas and Turkish baths.
• Exercise: pause strenuous, sweaty exercise for the recommended period.
• Smoking and alcohol: avoid them, as they can slow healing.
• Sleeping position: keeping your head slightly raised in the first days may help reduce swelling.

Swelling of the forehead and around the eyes and crusting in the transplant area may occur in the first days and usually settle on their own. Contact the doctor without delay if you notice redness, discharge, increasing pain or fever.

Supporting treatments aim to nourish the scalp and help protect existing hair around the transplanted area. They start only once the scalp has healed and the crusts have fallen off.

• Hair mesotherapy: mixtures containing vitamins, minerals and amino acids are injected into the scalp with very fine needles.
• Hair PRP / GRP: plasma prepared from your own blood is applied to the scalp.

They may also be planned before a transplant to prepare the scalp. A transplant and medical hair treatments are often complementary rather than alternatives, and continuing treatment aimed at the cause may help protect existing hair. For areas that are thinning but do not need a transplant, options such as hair filler may also be considered.