With its warm weather, breath-taking coastline and vibrant culture, Turkey has long been the preferred holiday destination of wealthy jet-setters from across the globe in search of winter sunshine – but a growing number of Brits are now heading to the nation for a different reason instead.
Over recent years, the captivating city of Istanbul has made a name for itself as one of the top destinations in the world for medical tourism, and last year alone, 642,000 medical tourists helped to bring in an eye-watering $1.9 billion in revenue. Now, there are hopes that that number could top $3 billion next year.
The major treatment that’s continuing to attract such huge numbers of medical tourists to the nation – and in particular, Istanbul? The humble hair transplant. Once the butt of many a joke when the first wave of celebrities were seen sporting less than impressive results following treatment, hair transplant surgery has come a long way since the early 2000s, and now, has the power to restore a full head of hair to its former glory with relatively little downtime.
Thinning, receding hairlines, male pattern baldness and alopecia are all common issues that both men and women may find themselves having to deal with at some point in life, with more than a third of men experiencing some form of hair loss by the age of 30, and a whopping 80 per cent falling prey to the affliction at some point in their lifetime.
With this in mind, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the demand for restorative treatment is higher than ever – and Turkey has made a name for itself over recent years for its expertise in the procedure thanks to a raft of high-level luxury clinics and surgeons now specialising in the latest and greatest techniques available.
Capilclinic is a leader in hair transplant surgery in Turkey, and in addition to its clinics across Europe, in London, Madrid and Barcelona, runs one of the most highly sought-after luxury clinics in Istanbul. Its innovative new stem cell hair transplant treatment – which Capiclinic is the first in Europe to offer – has generated significant interest since it first became available to patients, and is an example of just how advanced the procedure has become.
Unlike more traditional techniques, stem cell hair transplant treatment is performed by extracting regenerative cells from abdominal fat before activating them with the help of natural proteins. Next, micro-injections of these autologous cells are administered into the capillaries to minimise hair loss and stimulate new growth, all whilst standardising the hair follicle cycle.
Widely hailed in the industry as one of the most forward-thinking treatments currently available, it is believed that it could be the most effective solution for sufferers of alopecia and other types of hair loss, and with other hair transplant clinics in Turkey expected to adopt the technique over the coming months and years, it could chance restorative hair treatment as we know it forever.
If you’re one of the many who is considering making the trip to Turkey in 2023 for hair transplant treatment, then knowing how to choose the best luxury clinic can feel like a daunting task – but there are some key things you should look for when doing so to ensure you’re placing yourself in the best possible hands, get the most impressive results, and enjoy the five-star treatment from start to finish.
Learn about the cause of your hair loss
The key to making an informed decision when it comes to choosing the right clinic for your treatment is knowledge, so it’s important to know what kind of condition you’re dealing with and what causes it, as well as how realistic restorative treatment is for you. There are many different causes of hair loss, from alopecia to cancer treatment, so take some time to read up around yours to ensure you’ll be prepared to provide the right information and ask the relevant questions when it’s time for your initial consultation.
Look for clinics that offer the most advanced techniques
There are many clinics to choose from in Turkey for your hair transplant treatment, and particularly in Istanbul – but not all are created equal. If you’re keen to ensure you get the best possible results that money can buy, no expense spared, then take some time to research the techniques each one uses and look for the most cutting-edge methods available.
Choose an experienced surgeon
One of the most important things when considering going under the knife is to make sure the surgeon performing your hair transplant is qualified, skilled and experienced – not just in other procedures, but in the particular treatment you wish to undergo. Look for a surgeon who has studied hair transplant techniques extensively and has several years of experience under their belt, as not only will this ensure you’re in the best hands, but it will also help to keep any anxiety you have about the procedure at bay.
Seek out all-inclusive luxury packages
The prospect of flying abroad for treatment can feel like a stressful one, so look for a clinic that takes all of the extra tasks like booking flights, hotels and transport to and from your accommodation and appointments off your hands. One of the many reasons Turkey has become such a popular choice amongst wealthy medical tourists is the fact that many clinics and agencies will provide the five-star treatment from start to finish, placing you in a plush suite and arranging you a private driver to take care of transfers – so be sure to look out for the best packages available when doing your research.
Read reviews and evaluate patient feedback
Many clinics do a great job of presenting themselves, their surgeons and the services they offer flawlessly via their websites, social media channels and other marketing materials – but the only real way to get a feel for the type of results they produce is to read patient reviews and assess before and after pictures. This will give you a realistic idea of what to expect when you arrive for treatment, as well as how effective the treatment is likely to be – although do bear in mind that this varies from person to person as each patient has their own unique set of circumstances and reasons for seeking treatment.
