A hair transplant is finished in a day, but the grafts need the right care in the days and weeks that follow. Most worries afterwards, especially about shedding, concern normal stages of healing. In this guide New City Clinic explains what to do and what to expect.
The first three days
The grafts are fragile at first. Sleep on your back with your head raised on a neck pillow, do not let the recipient area touch the pillow, and avoid bending over. Swelling of the forehead is common on days two to four and settles by itself. Do not touch, scratch or cover the grafts with a tight hat. Avoid alcohol and smoking, which impair blood supply to the scalp.
Washing and scabs
The first wash is done at the clinic on day two or three, and you are shown the technique: a softening lotion or foam is left on, then rinsed off with lukewarm water at low pressure, and shampoo is patted on, not rubbed. Daily washing softens the scabs, which fall away by about day ten. Do not pick at them. Itching is normal and eases with the products you are given.
Shock loss and growth
Between weeks two and six the transplanted hairs fall out. This is called shock loss and is expected: the follicles remain in the skin and rest before producing new hair. Growth begins at around three months, is clearly visible at six and continues to thicken until twelve to fifteen months. The crown is slower than the hairline. Patience in this phase is part of the treatment.
A hair transplant: cost in Turkey and what is included
The price depends on the technique, the extent of the procedure, the hospital, the length of stay and any procedures planned together, which is why a single figure quoted without an examination or photo assessment is misleading. After a physician has reviewed your case, New City Clinic sends you an itemised written quote. It lists hospital, surgeon and anaesthesia fees, pre-operative tests, medication, any compression garment or support bra, accommodation, airport–hotel–hospital transfers and interpreting separately; flights are not included unless stated. When comparing clinics in Istanbul, look beyond the price: check that the hospital is licensed by the Ministry of Health, what the surgeon specialises in, and how follow-up is handled once you are back home.
A hair transplant with New City Clinic
New City Clinic is an authorised health tourism intermediary registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health and HealthTürkiye. When you contact New City Clinic about a hair transplant, a physician first reviews your photos and medical information, and you then receive a written treatment plan with an itemised quote. Once you arrive in Istanbul, the New City Clinic team organises your airport welcome, accommodation, hospital appointments and interpreting. Your procedure is performed by a specialist physician at a Ministry of Health approved partner hospital, and follow-up continues after you return home.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–3
Sleep head raised; no touching; first wash at the clinic, then flight home.
Day 10
Scabs have fallen away with daily washing.
Weeks 2–6
Shock loss of the transplanted hairs; normal and temporary.
Months 3–12
New growth from month 3; density at 6; final result at 12–15 months.
Accommodation and transfers
On request, New City Clinic organises your airport–hotel–hospital transfers and your stay at partner hotels close to the hospital. The same can be arranged for a companion; details are set out in writing in your quote.
Aftercare
Medication and check-ups
Take the medication your physician prescribes as directed and attend your planned check-ups.
Smoking and alcohol
Both slow healing; avoid them before and after the procedure for the period your physician advises.
Movement and rest
Short walks support circulation; wait for your physician’s approval before strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
When to get in touch
Contact your New City Clinic coordinator straight away in case of high fever, increasing pain, redness or anything unexpected.
Frequently asked questions
When can I exercise?
Light walking straight away; sweating and gym work after about two weeks; swimming and contact sports after a month.
When can I wear a hat?
A loose hat after about ten days. Protect the scalp from direct sun for the first months.
Can I use minoxidil or other treatments?
Often yes, to support existing hair, but only when and as your physician advises.
Deciding on a hair transplant is a confident step when it is taken with the right information and the right team. You can book a free consultation with the New City Clinic team for your questions.
This article is for general information; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
