Female Hair Transplant in Turkey

A person’s hair also affects their psychology and social life. If hair loss has not directly affected the person’s psychology but has started to lead to negative thoughts about hair, when their daily care takes a long time, when shampooing is not enough to correct hair problems, and when they do not feel comfortable going to the hairdresser, it means that the hair should be implanted. This type of thought indicates that hair loss has started to negatively affect the person’s social life. With hair transplantation, a person’s general appearance is transformed, and they get rid of their hair problems and begin to lead a much more comfortable and positive life throughout the day. When your psychology is correct, it is reflected in your social life as well.

Overview of Female Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation is one of the most frequently performed aesthetic surgical procedures. The primary indication for hair transplantation is androgenic alopecia, which is common among males and is characterized by progressive hair loss. Even though female pattern hair loss, which is the female type of androgenic alopecia, is also seen among females, other reasons for alopecia also lead to hair loss. Telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, traction alopecia, burns, and scarring alopecia are the main causes of hair loss among females. This diversity of hair loss among women requires personal and different surgical approaches. Especially, androgenic alopecia occurs due to the miniaturization of androgen-sensitive hair follicles, which leads to a loss of vellus hairs on the scalp. As a result, hair loss on the scalp gradually increases, and men become completely bald over time. However, in females, only slight diffuse thinning usually occurs, and the hairline never recedes. Additionally, the probability of localized hair loss in females is lower. It is known that any treatment for hair loss is less successful than treatments for male androgenic alopecia in females. Therefore, females with hair loss seek hair transplantation less than males. Moreover, some social and psychological factors may lead to fear and hesitation about having hair transplantation.

Generally, people affected by their self-image loss experience significant distress. This problem also affects the restoration of their psychosocial balance. Because hair depilation clearly distinguishes the male image from the female image, females have more concerns about their hair appearance. Pigment changes, diagonally widened hairlines, and, most importantly in terms of the loss of individuality, hair thinning are the main reasons why females are discontented with their physical appearance. These also result in a loss of confidence when subjected to perceptions of outer beauty. Consequently, affected individuals’ dissatisfaction arises even if they are surrounded by people who are satisfied or indifferent. The fulfillment of the aesthetic surgical request decreases the individual’s concerns. In this context, the incidence of aesthetic hair transplantation among women has been escalating. Unfortunately, as a minority group, women do not use hair transplantation services as much as brave males, although they often experience hair loss.

In order to protect the natural and aesthetic look of females after hair transplantation, some challenges must be overcome during treatment. In normal hairless skin, most hair follicles are in the telogen phase. This normal distribution of the hair bulging site is also the reason why a hair pattern on the thinning scalp is envisaged. Most hair transplants are done in the telogen phase. Therefore, in hairline placement, a problem-free and successful reconstruction correlation between the thickness and the direction of root transplantation is important. A method was provided to clarify this speculation and established the hair crest marker to locate hair prominence on the skin. So far, many models have been suggested to determine the direction and the angle during the detection of these signs in hair thinning areas to provide aesthetic results. Despite all of these studies, normal hairline patterns have not yet been accurately determined, and hairline designs have preferred to mimic classic male hairline styles. However, females have a v-shaped hairline that is usually located behind both ears. This is one of the most important misconceptions in women’s hair transplantation created from the perception of men’s hairstyles. Currently, hair follicles should be transplanted in grafts of at least two hairs, with three-hair and four-hair grafts being separated through the skin to develop the supra-orbital nucleus, and single-hair grafts being used sparingly. Correct design and transplantation for female hair transplantation must be done meticulously.

Significance of Female Hair Transplantation in Turkey

Female hair loss and hair thinning are significant problems among women despite their social and psychological implications. It is observed among the majority of women initially with noticeable hair loss, lacquer use, and the need for additional hair volume, followed by a decrease in hair thickness. If the hair is left open and thinning continues, the front of the head reveals the bilateral anterior temporal region of hair loss, and the scalp is increasingly visible between the hairs. The desire for an open forehead line in women is less than in men. The most common concerns are thinning hair on the top of the head, filling in the front side, and creating hair volume while ensuring that the scalp is not visible. The lack of a restricted donor area and the possibility of losing hair in the postoperative period due to top hair and techniques may cause women to hesitate and consult hair transplantation less than men. Other reasons that prevent women from undergoing hair transplantation often include the inability to use a short haircut after the procedure, social values, the narrow operating area, hair extravasation, and long hair in the donor area. Aesthetic International offers their new brand, which has specifically professional female hair transplant specialists.

The number of women who prefer hair transplantation is a lower percentage than that of men. Patients undergoing female hair transplantation distinctly shape different regional percentages according to the age of the patient and the hereditary, hormonal, systemic, physical, or psychological reasons that have contributed to the appearance of hair loss and thinning. The proportion of women who wish to have their hair transplanted is determined through bilateral collaboration with preoperative education and gender-based service design. Which anesthesia method should be applied for these women? When can the dead follicles that have just been transferred grow again? Information and communication channels are structured. In the modern world, beauty and the preservation of aesthetics without delay prepare women professionally for different areas of life. At every stage of daily and social life, they maintain their natural and attractive appearances. The attitude of women who are aware of this towards their appearance and beauty is important, as is their communication with themselves and the environment in general.

Advantages of Female Hair Transplantation

Most people believe that the most common benefit of hair transplantation is the aesthetic improvement it provides. However, hair transplantation is a surgical intervention that offers many benefits beyond aesthetic change, especially in the field of female hair transplantation. Since women are less interested in aesthetics, the benefits they achieve after hair transplantation are generally not related to aesthetics. Therefore, female hair transplantation is known as a functional transplantation, and the benefits obtained after the operation are largely based on functionality and hidden aspects. Following are just some of the advantages of hair transplantation in women: 1. Women with hair transplantation will be less likely to be exposed to the sun. 2. Women with hair transplantation are not burdened by experiencing wind effects. 3. Women with hair transplantation will not have to worry about losing hair or spending extra time and effort in hot weather. 4. Women with hair transplantation will not have to struggle with daily shampooing. 5. Women with hair transplantation will not experience hair pain following the use of frequent and long-lasting headbands. 6. Women using hair transplantation will not face hair cracking and detangling due to brushing. 7. Women with hair transplantation will benefit from relief and peace of mind at all times by realizing that conditions such as hair breakage that may threaten social lives after every activity can be prevented. 8. With hair transplantation, women will be able to exceed the height of a sister who does not experience shedding due to reasons such as hormone imbalance resulting from environmental effects.

Natural-Looking Results

To achieve the most natural look, there are a few key points to observe during the female hair transplant. The first step is to draw the hairline design as the first step in every hair transplant procedure. The hairline shape, the distribution of roots, and the direction of hair follicles play a huge role in the result. Regarding the hairline, the temple area is the most remarkable place. It is essential to create a natural appearance by paying particular attention to the direction and distribution of the roots here. Eyebrows, eyelashes, and female sideburns are planned and drawn during the hairline drawing phase. The second step is to harvest the roots from the donor area and place them into the recipient area. The first rule to observe at the root transplantation stage should be to use natural curvature by keeping the roots at the front thinner and placing thicker hairs behind for support. The third step is to protect the existing hairs. The hair follicles in the hair transplant area are too valuable to be neglected, and existing hairs must be protected in the transplantation area to prevent shock hair loss. One of the most important success factors of the female hair transplant operation is that it is rather common to see amazing results in women who lost their scalp hair for reasons such as burns, surgery, or trauma.

Minimal Scarring

The possibility of an optimal graft harvest with minimum impact on the donor area has led to the use of the FUE technique that removes follicular units one by one without the need for surgical excisions such as incisions or sutures that were used in the classical harvesting method. With drug treatment and hair transplant techniques, the hair grows naturally and healthily without any traces, while the cause of the hair loss is overlooked. The patient often achieves satisfaction. There should be a rapid recovery of the donor site, and the appearance of the suture line should be minimized. The aim is to implant hair with a texture and density that is indistinguishable from non-affected hair. There must be minimal scarring, little or no distortion of the follicular units, maximum yield, and full patient satisfaction. The best results are achieved in patients with straight hair and a high number of stem cells per graft. The blood supply in the hair follicles must be optimal.

While minimizing scarring, each graft must be removed with surgical finesse. The surgeon should know how to adjust many variables during the FUE, all of which affect the final appearance of the graft and therefore the outcome of the operation. These variables include the use of sharp punches, an optimal speed and force for extraction, both follicular harvesting at an appropriate speed, and the quality of the graft holding solution prior to transplantation. The minimal trauma to the skin around a follicular unit is a standard element of the FUE that has improved over time. Follicular unit extraction is a technical procedure that poses technical problems that vary from graft to graft and from patient to patient. This means that a limited number of grafts can be harvested at each session without causing discomfort to the patient. Such limitations have not been observed with the use of other hair transplant techniques. The healing process occurs gradually. Consequently, optimal yields require the correct protocol, which is tailored to the patient’s characteristics. This consists of several factors for skin flexibility, follicle diameter, hair density, and scalp seborrhea.

Boost in Self-Confidence

Hair loss is more than a physical process. It affects your mental and emotional health as well. Coping with hair loss can be challenging if you do not have enough self-confidence. An initial lack of self-confidence makes hair loss distressing. On the other hand, hair loss makes you more unhappy, both personally and professionally. Everyday issues can become a source of suffering. As a result, both of these emotions create a cycle of unhappiness.

However, if your hair is restored to a natural and healthy look, the amount of self-confidence you have increases. As a result, it strengthens self-confidence, and symptoms associated with depression begin to disappear over time. It makes it easier to solve those traumatic issues that come from dealing with hair loss. This change can have a profoundly positive effect on your life. In general, it has increased the quality of our daily lives. Even though our appearance is not the end, even a minor improvement in that aspect should be the starting point. That minor enhancement causes a benefit in many areas of our lives.

Choosing Meba Hair for Your Female Hair Transplant

If you have decided to opt for a female hair transplant in Turkey, we believe that you have also already decided to choose Meba Hair. There are several things that set Meba Hair apart. To begin with, we have a dedicated team of experts who work only in the realm of hair transplantation. This allows them to continually hone their skills. Secondly, our clinic is equipped with the latest cutting-edge hair transplantation technologies. Your experience with us is just as important as the quality of the hair transplant procedure itself. Our facilities offer a secure, welcoming, and homely atmosphere. All of your hair transplantation-related concerns will be addressed should you choose to undergo a female hair transplant with us.

We are one of only two international affiliates in Turkey of the world-leading DHI Global. This ensures that we are entirely capable of fulfilling your every hair transplantation need. Whether treating sparse hair or baldness, or looking for an alternative for beards and mustaches, we are at the forefront of our sector. All of our affiliates go through ongoing training. Our cases are closely scrutinized by experts once a year. They provide us with unfailing consultation about the surgery. We give the same level of unwavering attention in Turkey as in the other over 40 affiliates around the globe. We offer lifelong warranty certificates and DNA tests. However, physical or emotional problems arising as a result of surgeries conducted by unqualified individuals are not covered by any warranty.

Reputation and Expertise of Meba Hair

When opting for a hair transplant in Turkey, the ultimate goal for the patients is to attain satisfactory results. For that purpose, scrutinizing the reputation and expertise of clinics where patients’ surgery will be performed is a must. Meba Hair Clinic is operated by a high number of renowned doctors who are dedicated and expert in their fields. They are very experienced and talented in high-quality FUE hair transplant surgeries. While the owners are specialized in FUE hair transplant practices, it is one of the very few clinics with this capability of being performed by the owners. Patients will be able to follow procedures in a more peace-of-mind manner typical for every aspect of hair transplant, from the creation of the donor site to planning the number of grafts and hair distribution, to removing the grafts, and to be informed about every application during hair transplantation.

Meba Hair Clinic is fortunate to use state-of-the-art methods and devices thanks to the fact that the owners are also the co-owners of a global product brand: special graft holder, needle apparatus, self-designed micromotor, and custom lateral slit apparatus. They present the app designed to inform patients transparently and, most importantly, in the language spoken. In the application, all processes of the patients are informed, the date is set for the pre-consultation, the region to be examined and the desired number of roots are determined, and the patient can see the results reached by examining the photos taken immediately after the result is completed, thus establishing a close bond. Moreover, as all questions, planned process applications, and appointments are held through the patient’s well-prepared schedule in the app, the personal needs and demands of the patients are profiled, and the conversion process is carefully managed from appointment to airport and from airport to the patient’s home, thus keeping patient satisfaction at the forefront. It is beneficial from this experience that the satisfied feedback of guests who choose Meba Clinic in the comments will have direct value in the decision-making process of other patients.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Newly constructed medical tourism services such as female hair transplants in Turkey are frequently identified with technologically renovated flagship hospitals. Many patients, particularly foreign women, tend to prefer known national chains or brand hospitals in the industry to ensure upscale patient services, combined with state-of-the-art equipment and hospital interior design. Acknowledging this claim, top-notch interior and the latest model equipment are accommodated in the state-of-the-art hair transplantation facilities. Over the past two decades, Turkey’s medical industry has been steadily advancing and evolving, becoming a major sector within the country. Hair transplantation services have recently evolved and attracted patients from around the world, with an exceptional market share throughout the world, including a significant number of female clients. Aesthetic centers that provide hair transplantation surgery for both national and international patients have recently been installed, and technologically advanced ’boutique’ hair transplantation centers in Turkey have become popular among patients. We aim to specify the features of the hair transplantation technology currently applied in Turkey as a case study of an emergent medical tourism service in the country.

Personalized Treatment Plans

The characteristics of female patients who might be candidates for hair transplant vary extensively. As a result, creating a personalized approach to hair loss and offering an individualized treatment plan is crucial for females. Based on the overall examination of the scalp with or without trichoscopy and lab work, the patient can be advised on other treatments related to their general health before suggesting the hair transplant. Additionally, relying solely on a hair transplant can produce worse aesthetic results than expected and reduce hair transplantation in female patients. After the examination, an effective consultation should be given to the female patient who wants to benefit from hair transplant, and their expectations should be understood well. Firstly, the preoperative nutrition should be explained. The patients should be informed about hair care and their use of hair cosmetics. When all details are explained well to the patients, the transplantation can be planned. Information about the individual hair count, hairline, hair drawing plans, graft aims, personal evaluations, pricing, and other details should be provided to the patient by the institution. Of course, while giving all these details, the staff should pay close attention to maintain patient confidentiality.

Eligibility Criteria for Female Hair Transplantation

First and foremost, before we talk about the eligibility of each condition separately, it must be kept in mind that medical and plastic surgery processes, including transplantation, are generally changing. This change might take place in the form of some other developments; it can also be seen as a method in the medical industry that has emerged as a solution to problems related to the condition. These changes might differ according to patients and the courses they have experienced or the options that can be evaluated.

As far as female hair transplantation is concerned, the presence of excessive hair loss is not the sole issue for the operation to be conducted. Indeed, female hair transplantation has a specific set of conditions that can be termed as criteria to be met before it is scheduled. Actually, the fact is that female hair loss has a different scenario when compared to male hair loss. The hormonal processes that can cause hair loss in women have a cyclic rather than continuous course, and in addition to expositional factors that can be experienced, noticeable hair thinning is observed.

Methods of Hair Transplantation

Follicular Unit Transplantation: FUT is a method in which a strip of skin is removed from the donor area at the back of the scalp. This strip is then divided into small grafts, which are transplanted into the areas of hair loss. The advantage of FUT is that it allows for the transplantation of large patient areas. However, the downside of this method is that the patient is left with a scar at the back of the head. In the case of women, this may not be suitable as their hairstyles may not always cover the scar. Therefore, this method is not often used for female patients.

Follicular Unit Extraction: FUE is a minimally invasive hair transplant procedure in which follicular units are individually removed from the patient’s donor area and then transplanted into bald areas. These 1-4 hair groupings, known as follicular units, contain a sebaceous gland, small muscles, and tiny nerves, as well as a covering of two layers of skin. This technique has been spreading among hair transplant techniques and is one of the most preferred methods for hair transplantation. FUE is generally used for both men and women. It is especially preferred in cases when a small region will be transplanted. However, it is also suitable for larger areas when necessary.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

In recent years, the most preferred method for hair transplantation in women is the Follicular Unit Extraction technique. The suitability of donor areas for hair transplantation in women depends on the level of androgen in the body. While the hair taken from the donor area begins to grow after 2 or 3 months, it takes an average of 8 to 12 months for it to be seen with full thickness. The important point here is that the growth in density should not be achieved at the expense of the donor area for growing the hair. Different hair transplantation techniques can be applied according to the density of the hair to be transplanted, the thickness and robustness of the existing hair, and the condition of the scalp.

In the sapphire FUE technique, channel openings are made on the scalp during the hair transplantation procedure with the help of sapphire tips prepared from the sapphire gemstone. The use of sapphire tips in hair transplantation is more comfortable compared to other methods. Moreover, the risk of infection after the transplantation is quite low. The sapphire FUE technique is applied in the same way as the standard FUE technique. It does not show much difference from the FUE technique in terms of results. Therefore, in the sapphire FUE technique, effective and permanent results can be obtained like the standard FUE technique. The average duration is 8 hours for the sapphire FUE technique. The sapphire FUE has been found to be very successful when performed by expert plastic surgeons. However, no matter which hair transplantation method is used, it is necessary to take good care of the scalp after hair transplantation. Therefore, it is very important for patients to be taken care of after hair transplantation by establishing a quality relationship with the care specialist.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) is a hair replacement method that appeared after the FUT technique. In this technique, a strip of hair-bearing skin is harvested from a part of the head with abundant hair, usually at the back, and then sutured. Small grafts called follicular units, containing roots, are separated from this strip and planted into bald areas. This method does not require shaving the entire head and allows for long hair transplantation. Less shaving of hair makes hair transplantation more discreet. It takes 2 to 4 days for the implants to heal. For hair to grow again after the procedure, the implanted hair is shed after a certain period.

The FUT technique allows the collection of a large number of grafts in a single session. For those who need to collect grafts, it may be advantageous to achieve the desired result quickly, but it has some disadvantages. Long healing times at the points where the scalp is taken may result in obvious stitching scars. The appearance of these scars, which become clearer in haircuts shorter than 1.5 cm at the nape from where hair is taken, is not very aesthetically pleasing. On the other hand, the FUT method can be preferred for its lower costs compared to FUE techniques.

The Process of a Female Hair Transplant

1) Planning the Transplant: Women usually do not shave their heads for the transplant. The hair must be covered with a layer. In FUT, the suture wound at the back of the head is not visible as the hair covers it. In FUE, 500-1000 hairs are taken; thus, the bald areas won’t be visible after the procedure. This sometimes leads to anxiety before the operation; hence, this is one of the factors that results in women postponing surgery. Following the 6-8 month mark, the remaining hair loss will be visible within the first month, but they are in the visible areas of the head at monthly intervals; hence, the person’s mood is observed to lighten up. On the other hand, during the transplantation period with the 3 days of washing, a comfortable process is created as the person begins to perform the operation without noticing the thickness of the suture or the swelling.
2) Medical Examination: Women complain of hair thinning more as they age; hence, most patients seek the help of a primary care doctor at first. Here, a medical treatment is performed, as the patient does not have hormonal imbalances; yet, endocrine imbalances are detected. Medical treatments can reduce hair thinning and can lead to a significant increase at the donor site. With the rule of acting carefully with women, the doctor must evaluate the physical situation of the patient and get an opinion about the type that would yield the best results. With this in mind, at least the first doctor’s preference level is higher in women’s hair transplant treatment. Moreover, the combination provided depends on the process. For example, in hair transplantation, an FUE process is performed at the forehead, and in the area with hair distortion, a permanent solution is obtained, rather than FUT.

Initial Consultation

The process begins with an initial consultation. An appointment should be scheduled with the surgeon to assess the amount of hair loss and the balding areas, while also giving details about the hair restoration methods available. A medical and surgical history of the client will be obtained in this meeting. This will include a list of the client’s current medications and a history of any metabolic, hematologic, neurologic, or psychiatric problems. Diseases such as diabetes, lupus, anemia, and past or current treatments for diseases should be discussed thoroughly.

The client can also ask questions about the hair transplant so that an assessment can be made with the aim to get the best personalized results. The doctor should answer all the questions and inform their clients about the procedures of hair transplantation. The client should talk about what they want and what kind of result they are aiming for before scheduling a female hair transplant. All cosmetic goals should be realistic, and the client should show understanding if the doctor explains how their cosmetic goal is realistically sustainable.

Pre-Operative Preparations

The patients should provide information about their hair transplant history and when they had their last surgery. The previous donor area scar should be examined. The color and texture of the hair and the density in the forelock line should be analyzed. Hairline design and the form of the acne should be consistent with the natural lines of the face and forehead. At this stage, the areas that will be transplanted later should be explained to the patient with a marker on the skin of the person after these checks. After the marked face area is viewed by the patient, another evaluation can be made if necessary. Hair transplantation indications and possible complications should be considered. If the patient decides and receives confirmation about the operation, the team manager communicates with the patient and informs the remaining team members. The hair transplantation team should be established on a planned day, and care should be taken to ensure that the members understand the plan and act meticulously. If all the things from A to Z regarding hair transplantation and follow-up protocols are communicated properly and the consent form is signed, the process of planning the hair transplantation day is completed with the preoperative photos, and the patient is ready for the operation of hair transplantation.

The Transplantation Procedure

In the process that begins with local anesthesia, the hair follicles are taken from the area of the head where the hair will be transplanted. These hair follicles can be easily obtained from the nape area because they are more protected. After this stage, local anesthesia is again applied to the head region, and the hair follicles are transplanted to this area. When the transplantation stage ends, the treated area is covered with a dressing, towel, or bandage, depending on the method, to protect against infection and physical effects. Afterwards, the areas to which the transplanted hair follicles will be attached are opened during the transplantation process, and the hair follicles collected at the beginning are attached one by one to these areas. After the transplantation, a gauze pad is worn around the head to manage any edema, and no results remain on the skin.

Depending on which method will be used in the hair follicle transplant surgery, the donor area and the area designated as the recipient area are anesthetized with local anesthesia. The obtained hair follicles are taken and counted one by one. Each of the obtained hair follicles is given a resting period to be divided into certain units. These units should be appropriately irrigated during the waiting period. The conjunction of these two operations is executed by specialists. The incubation period of the scalp and hair follicles begins after the completion of the collected hair follicle transplantation. According to the hair of the person in this space, the necessary conditions are provided for hair growth, and it is waited until the hair has grown. At the end of this incubation period, hair will grow longer, especially after one year.

Post-Operative Care

After the operation, in order to aid the healing of the wound, the patient should not smoke and should not participate in any activities that may cause excessive sweating, such as sexual intercourse and exercising, in the first seven days. The patient can start light physical activities on the third day after the transplantation, and when exposed to strong sunlight, they should use a hat. Professional shampoos used in the donor area should be applied; otherwise, the wound may reopen. Women, unlike men, are in a challenging position, as they cannot shave their hair, allowing them to use the shortest haircut. Although this operation should only be performed when the hair is cut to the shortest length, it can provide a natural appearance, but at least three months is necessary between the date of the operation and the requirement for the hair to be worn, in order to allow the hair to grow again and ensure the full success of the operation.

In the first week, medications such as antibiotics and painkillers will be necessary. The patient is informed about the usage of the required medication before and after the procedure. A month after the hair transplant, the doctor should examine the operated area. If the doctor has no objection, the patient can start regular walking programs, and if they wish, they can begin swimming programs. Starting in the third week after the operation, as in men, the patient can start using styling products such as hair sprays, mousses, and hair dyes. In the meantime, the growing hair may develop a rash, and medications can be prescribed to the patient in response to this situation. The medication used by women after hair transplantation may not be heavy, but it can also slow down the healing process, and the patient is recommended to engage in activities that relax the mind and stimulate the skin.