In Turkey, a robotic ARTAS hair transplant starts at $8,500, while FUT starts at $1,400 ā so the type of transplant can change the price more than the country does. Hair transplant types differ in how the surgeon takes the hair, how the grafts are placed and where the donor hair comes from. Based on Bookimed data, a standard hair transplant costs $1,500ā$2,300 in Turkey, against prices from $8,900 in the United States.
For each type, you will find when a surgeon may suggest it and what it costs in Turkey, Thailand, Mexico, Poland and South Korea.
Key Takeaways
- FUE. Follicular unit extraction starts at $1,600 in Turkey, against $7,400 in the US.
- FUT. Follicular unit transplantation starts at $1,400 in Turkey, against $6,000 in the US.
- DHI. Direct hair implantation starts at $1,800 in Turkey and $3,000 in Thailand.
- Robotic ARTAS. A robotic hair transplant starts at $4,500 in Thailand, against $11,000 in the US.
- Women. A female hair transplant starts at $1,600 in Turkey, against $6,000 in the US.
- Type of hair loss. The NHS says a transplant suits inherited hair loss, but not usually patchy hair loss (alopecia areata).
The surgeon decides which of these types suits you after assessing the hair at the back and sides of your head.
Table of Contents:
- An Overview of Hair Transplant Surgery
- Hair Transplant Types by Graft Size
- Hair Transplant Types by Extraction Method: FUE, FUT and Robotic
- Hair Implant Types by Implantation Technique: Manual and DHI
- Hair Transplant Types by Donor Area: Scalp, Body and Face
- Hair Transplant for Women: Techniques and Cost
- Scarring Alopecia: Which Hair Transplant Types Can Help
- Where to Get a Hair Transplant: Cost by Country
- How to Check a Hair Transplant Surgeon
- Hair Transplant Recovery and Side Effects
- How Bookimed Helps You Plan a Hair Transplant
- The Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
An Overview of Hair Transplant Surgery
Hair transplant surgery restores hair by moving follicles from the back or sides of the head, called the donor area, to thinning or bald areas. The surgeon prepares the follicles as grafts and places them in the thinning areas. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) removes the follicles one by one, and follicular unit transplantation (FUT) removes a thin strip of scalp that is then divided into grafts.
According to the NHS, the operation is usually done under local anesthesia and sedation, so the scalp is numb while you stay awake. It usually lasts 4ā8 hours, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, and you go home the same day. If a large area is treated, you may need 2 or more sessions on different days.
Hair Transplant Types by Graft Size
A graft is a small group of hair follicles, and the NHS describes grafts of 1ā4 hairs each. The surgeon chooses the graft size by where it goes on the scalp:
- Micrografts. These hold 1ā2 hairs and are placed along the hairline to give it a soft edge.
- Minigrafts. These hold 3ā4 hairs and are placed behind the hairline to add thickness.
Clinics abroad may quote one package price for the whole operation instead of a price for each graft. The number of grafts your surgeon estimates sets the size of the operation, so ask for that estimate in writing.
In Bookimed packages with a fixed number of grafts, one graft costs roughly $0.50ā$1.50:
| Package | Country | Grafts | Package price | Price per graft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estemarley, Sapphire FUE | Turkey | 4,500 | $2,300 | about $0.51 |
| Adem and Havva Medical Center, Sapphire FUE | Turkey | 4,500 | $2,575 | about $0.57 |
| Este Favor, Basic package | Turkey | 2,000 | $2,289 | about $1.14 |
| Somchai Clinic package | Thailand | 3,000 | $3,000 | about $1.00 |
| Dr.Nutt Clinic, DHI | Thailand | 2,500 | $3,623 | about $1.45 |
In Turkey, the 4,500-graft packages cost about half as much per graft as the 2,000-graft one, so compare quotes for the same number of grafts.
Hair Transplant Types by Extraction Method: FUE, FUT and Robotic
The extraction method is how the surgeon takes follicles from the donor area, and FUE, FUT and robotic FUE differ in scarring, recovery and price. The surgeon chooses a method after assessing your pattern of hair loss and how much donor hair you have.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
In FUE, the back of the head is shaved. The surgeon then removes follicles one by one with a small punch tool and places them in the thinning areas. FUE is suitable for moderate hair loss when the donor area is stable. According to the NHS, it leaves lots of tiny scars that are not very noticeable.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
In FUT, the surgeon removes a thin strip of scalp from the back of the head, divides it into grafts and closes the donor site with stitches. The head is not shaved, because only the area where the strip is removed is trimmed. Surgeons choose FUT when a large number of grafts is needed in one session. The strip leaves one scar that is not visible unless you wear your hair very short.
Robotic Hair Transplantation (ARTAS)
ARTAS is a robotic system that helps the surgeon pick and extract follicles, while the surgeon plans the hairline and oversees each step. Robotic extraction is a form of FUE, so it also leaves small dot scars. It is an option if you prefer a robotic system to assist the surgeon.
Unshaven FUE
In unshaven FUE, the surgeon extracts follicles without shaving the donor area, so the operation is less visible while you recover. It is an option if you want to keep your usual hairstyle during recovery. Unshaven FUE is a form of FUE, so it leaves the same small dot scars.
Prices for the three extraction methods differ by country, and the United Kingdom and the United States are listed for comparison.
| Country | FUE hair transplant | FUT hair transplant | ARTAS robotic hair transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $1,600ā$2,300 | $1,400ā$2,100 | $8,500ā$14,000 |
| Thailand | $3,000ā$5,600 | from $3,800 | $4,500ā$7,500 |
| Mexico | $3,600ā$3,700 | from $3,300 | from $5,500 |
| Poland | from $3,500 | $2,800ā$5,000 | $7,500ā$10,500 |
| South Korea | from $8,300 | $3,800ā$6,800 | $6,800ā$12,500 |
| United Kingdom | from $4,100 | from $3,100 | $8,500ā$13,500 |
| United States | from $7,400 | from $6,000 | $11,000ā$16,000 |
In Turkey, FUT has the lowest starting price of the three methods. Robotic ARTAS costs more than FUE and FUT in Turkey, Thailand, Mexico and Poland, and of the countries listed, prices for ARTAS start lowest in Thailand.
If you prefer to be treated at home, FUE in the UK starts at $4,100 and FUT at $3,100, while in the US, FUE starts at $7,400 and FUT at $6,000.
Hair Implant Types by Implantation Technique: Manual and DHI
Implantation is how the surgeon places the grafts. The surgeon either places them by hand into openings made first or uses a pen-shaped implanter that does both in one step.
Manual Implantation
With manual implantation, the surgeon makes tiny openings in the thinning area with a handheld tool and then inserts the grafts into them one by one. The technique works with grafts taken by FUE, FUT or a robotic system, so it can follow any extraction method.
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI)
In direct hair implantation (DHI), each graft is loaded into a pen-shaped implanter called a Choi pen. The pen makes the opening and places the graft in one movement. Surgeons may choose DHI for placing grafts close together, for work along the hairline, or when you prefer not to shave the recipient area.
In Turkey, a DHI hair transplant costs $1,800ā$2,400, slightly more than FUE there. Prices in other countries, based on Bookimed data:
| Country | DHI hair transplant cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | $1,800ā$2,400 |
| Thailand | $3,000ā$3,100 |
| Poland | $3,500ā$5,500 |
| Mexico | from $3,600 |
| South Korea | $4,500ā$8,900 |
Hair Transplant Types by Donor Area: Scalp, Body and Face
The donor area is where the surgeon takes the hair from, usually the back and sides of the scalp. When scalp donor hair is limited, the surgeon may take hair from the beard or chest instead.
Scalp Hair Transplant
In a scalp hair transplant, the surgeon takes follicles from the back or sides of the head and moves them to thinning or bald areas. Surgeons use scalp hair for male pattern baldness, a receding hairline or thinning patches when the donor area has enough healthy hair.
Body Hair Transplant (BHT)
In a body hair transplant, the surgeon extracts follicles from the chest, back or beard and implants them into the scalp. A surgeon may use body hair when scalp donor hair is limited, or when extra grafts are required to cover a large area.
Facial Hair Transplant
A facial hair transplant restores the beard, eyebrows or mustache with follicles moved from a donor area. It is an option when facial hair is thin or missing, after scarring or for cosmetic reasons.
Scalp, body, beard and eyebrow transplant prices differ by country, and the United Kingdom and the United States are listed for comparison.
| Hair transplant type | Turkey | Thailand | Mexico | Poland | United Kingdom | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scalp hair transplant | $1,500ā$2,300 | $2,900ā$4,300 | $3,500ā$3,600 | $2,700ā$3,800 | $5,700ā$6,300 | from $8,900 |
| Body hair transplant (BHT) | from $2,200 | from $3,600 | from $3,500 | $3,500ā$7,000 | $7,500ā$13,500 | $15,000ā$25,000 |
| Beard transplant | $1,300ā$1,800 | from $2,400 | $2,800ā$3,300 | from $1,700 | from $3,000 | from $5,000 |
| Eyebrow transplant | $1,200ā$1,600 | from $3,400 | $1,500ā$2,300 | from $1,200 | from $2,800 | from $3,000 |
In every country listed, prices for a body hair transplant start at or above the scalp price. Expect the higher price if the surgeon suggests beard or chest hair. In Turkey, Mexico and Poland, beard and eyebrow transplants, where hair is moved to the face, start below the scalp price.
Hair Transplant for Women: Techniques and Cost
A female hair transplant costs $1,600ā$2,500 in Turkey. That is roughly 55%ā75% less than in the United States, where prices start at $6,000.
Female pattern hair loss usually thins hair across the top of the head rather than leaving bald patches. Before a transplant, the surgeon checks how thick the hair is at the back and sides of the head, because that hair supplies the grafts.
The techniques used for women differ in how the hair is taken and what they leave behind.
| Technique | How it works | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| FUE (follicular unit extraction) | Follicles are removed one by one from the back of the head | Leaves tiny scars, and the unshaven version keeps the donor area unshaved |
| FUT (follicular unit transplantation) | A thin strip of scalp is removed and divided into grafts | Supplies a large number of grafts in one session and leaves one scar that hair covers |
| Body hair transplant (BHT) | Follicles come from the chest, back or beard | Adds grafts when the hair at the back of the head is thin |
| Scalp reduction | A defined bald area is removed and nearby skin with hair is stitched over it | Rarely used for thinning spread across the scalp, because it treats one bald area |
For thinning across the top of the head, the surgeon chooses between FUE and FUT.
In a survey of 1,000 US adults, 430 women and 447 men said they would consider a hair transplant. Women with minimal hair loss said they would pay a median of $4,000, and women with extensive hair loss a median of $5,000. A median is the middle value of all the answers.
| Country | Female hair transplant cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | $1,600ā$2,500 |
| Thailand | $3,000ā$4,200 |
| Mexico | from $2,500 |
| Poland | from $2,400 |
| South Korea | $3,800ā$8,200 |
| United Kingdom | from $4,100 |
| United States | from $6,000 |
In every destination listed, prices start below the $4,000 median that women with minimal hair loss said they would pay in the US survey.
Hair Transplant for African American Women
Afro-textured hair curls below the skin as well, so a standard FUE punch can cut through the follicle. In a study of 18 patients with Afro-textured hair, conventional rotary punches damaged too many grafts, while a curved punch shaped to the hair damaged the fewest. A later study of 64 patients of African descent, 19 of them women, kept graft damage at 3%ā6% with a punch adjusted to skin thickness and firmness. Ask the surgeon how many patients with Afro-textured hair they have treated and which punch they use.
Scarring Alopecia: Which Hair Transplant Types Can Help
Scarring alopecia is hair loss in which inflammation replaces hair follicles with scar tissue, so hair does not regrow there on its own. A transplant moves healthy follicles from unaffected areas into the scarred area.
Primary scarring alopecia is the form that starts in the follicles themselves. In a hospital review of 72 patients with this form, 71% were women and their average age was 51.
A review of 15 published reports covering 34 patients found moderate to good results in 26 of them. In the other 8 patients, the result was poor or the condition came back. The reports in that review used FUE and the strip method (FUT).
Have the diagnosis confirmed by a dermatologist first. Then ask hair transplant surgeons how many transplants they have performed on scarred scalps.
Where to Get a Hair Transplant: Cost by Country
A standard hair transplant costs from $1,500 in Turkey to $8,000 in South Korea, and every destination below starts under the US price of $8,900. Turkey, Mexico, Poland and Thailand are also among the top countries for a hair transplant, and Turkey, Mexico and Poland among the lowest-priced destinations.
The table sets each destination against the US starting price, and the UK and US rows show prices for patients who live there.
| Country | Hair transplant cost (USD) | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $1,500ā$2,300 | Roughly 70%ā85% below the US starting price |
| Poland | $2,700ā$3,800 | Roughly 55%ā70% below the US starting price |
| Thailand | $2,900ā$4,300 | Roughly 50%ā65% below the US starting price |
| Mexico | $3,500ā$3,600 | Roughly 55%ā60% below the US starting price |
| South Korea | $5,400ā$8,000 | Roughly 10%ā40% below the US starting price |
| Lithuania | from $2,900 | Starts roughly 65% below the US starting price |
| United Kingdom | $5,700ā$6,300 | Price for patients in the UK |
| United States | from $8,900 | Price for patients in the US |
Depending on the destination, the operation costs roughly 10%ā85% less than the US starting price, based on Bookimed data. Flights and extra hotel nights are paid separately unless the package includes them.
Wherever you travel, the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS) certifies individual hair restoration surgeons. Surgeons may also belong to the European Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ESHRS).
Hair Transplant in Turkey: from $1,500
Turkey's position between Europe and Asia makes it easy to reach from Europe and the Middle East. Istanbul is the center of hair transplant tourism, which brings Turkey about US$1 billion a year, according to a review in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Among Bookimed's partner clinics in Istanbul, Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital holds accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI).
Pros
- Price. A hair transplant in Turkey costs $1,500ā$2,300, roughly 55%ā75% less than in the United Kingdom.
- Packages. The premium hair transplant package at Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital covers 2,000ā4,500 grafts, 3 days in a hotel and transfers between the airport, hotel and hospital.
- Choice of technique. Clinics offer FUE, FUT, DHI, robotic ARTAS and unshaven FUE.
Cons
- Language. Clinic staff speak English to different levels, and a medical coordinator helps you communicate with the clinic.
- Who operates. The same review warns that some clinics let technicians without supervision do surgical steps, so confirm that the surgeon will operate.
Hair Transplant in Thailand: from $2,900
Doctors in Thailand are licensed by the Medical Council of Thailand, the national regulator. In Bangkok, the Department of Skin & Surgery at Navamin 9 Hospital is a JCI-accredited center for hair transplantation.
Pros
- Package contents. The 3,000-graft hair transplant package at Somchai Clinic includes round-trip transfers between the airport and the clinic.
- Surgeon credentials. You can ask whether your surgeon is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), a global medical association of hair restoration surgeons.
Cons
- Price. Prices start at $2,900, higher than the $1,500 starting price in Turkey, and the hotel is booked separately in some packages.
- Travel. Thailand is a long-haul flight from Europe and the Americas, so plan extra days for travel.
Hair Transplant in Mexico: from $3,500
Of the destinations in this guide, Mexico is the nearest for patients in the United States, while for patients in the UK it is a long-haul flight. For example, Hair In 1 Day Guadalajara performs FUE hair, beard and eyebrow transplants, and its package price includes a hotel stay.
Hair Transplant in Poland: from $2,700
Poland is a European Union country, and for patients in the US the trip is a transatlantic flight. In Warsaw, OT.CO Clinic focuses on FUE hair transplants and scalp treatments. In Bielsko-BiaÅa, San-Medical Hair Transplant Center performs FUE hair and beard transplants of up to 3,000 grafts in one session.
Hair Transplant in South Korea: from $5,400
South Korea is a long-haul flight from Europe and North America, so plan extra travel days at both ends of the trip. In Seoul, Banobagi Clinic performs hair transplants alongside face and body plastic surgery. FUT in South Korea starts at $3,800, below the country's standard hair transplant price.
How to Check a Hair Transplant Surgeon
The result of every hair transplant type depends on the surgeon who plans the hairline and estimates the graft count, so confirm who does each step.
The ISHRS position is that a licensed physician plans the surgery, designs the hairline, takes the donor hair and creates the recipient sites. Ask the surgeon or your coordinator these questions, most of them from the NHS list:
- Training. Which specialty and training in hair restoration does the surgeon have?
- Experience. How many hair transplants has the surgeon done personally, not the clinic as a whole?
- Plan. Which type suits your donor hair and pattern of hair loss, and why?
- Who operates. Does the surgeon take the donor hair and make the recipient openings? Under the ISHRS standard, a technician should not do these steps.
- Credentials. Is the surgeon certified by the ABHRS or listed in the ISHRS doctor directory?
- Graft estimate and photos. How many grafts are planned, and can you see before-and-after photos of this surgeon's own patients?
- Aftercare. Who reviews your progress after you return home?
Each surgeon's profile in the hair transplant doctors list shows patient reviews, and the ranking of top hair transplant surgeons shows who Bookimed patients rated highest.
Hair Transplant Recovery and Side Effects
You may need 1ā2 weeks off work after a hair transplant, according to the NHS. The grafts are not yet secure for the first 2 weeks. The full result shows 10ā18 months after the operation, so most of the change happens after you return home.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| After 2ā5 days | Bandages can usually come off, but do not touch the grafts |
| Day 6 | You can wash your hair gently by hand |
| After 10ā14 days | Stitches that do not dissolve can usually be removed |
| After a few weeks | The transplanted hair often falls out, then starts to grow back |
| After about 4 months | New hair usually starts to appear |
| After 10ā18 months | The full result shows |
If your surgeon uses stitches that do not dissolve, ask the clinic whether to stay 10ā14 days or have them removed by a doctor at home.
These side effects are common in the first days:
- a tight, achy and swollen scalp for a few days;
- temporary scabbing where the hair was placed;
- a single scar after FUT, or many very small scars after FUE.
Other possible side effects are bleeding, an infection or an allergic reaction to the anesthetic. The transplanted hair may also not grow back, or a noticeable scar may form. Ask your surgeon how likely each of these is in your case and how it would be treated.
Your natural hair may keep thinning around the transplant, so the surgeon plans the design to keep the result looking natural as time passes.
Follow these steps in the first month:
- Follow the surgeon's advice on caring for the grafts.
- Use the spray the clinic gives you to help recovery and hair growth.
- Cut down on exercise in the first month to reduce scarring.
Contact the clinic as soon as possible if you have severe pain or any unexpected changes.
Hair Transplant Success Rates
In studies, most transplanted grafts take root. In a study of 158 men after FUE, over 90% of the grafts survived at 12 months, and more than 98% of the patients were satisfied. In a one-year follow-up of 152 FUE patients, 86% rated their result as excellent, 12% as satisfactory and 2% as poor. Results still vary with the donor hair and the surgeon's experience.
How Bookimed Helps You Plan a Hair Transplant
Bookimed's medical coordinators help you plan a hair transplant abroad, and the service is free for patients:
- Clinic comparison. The coordinator helps you compare clinics, doctors and quotes for the hair transplant type your surgeon suggests.
- Same price. You pay the clinic's own price, which stays the same as when you contact the clinic directly.
- Document translation. The coordinator checks your documents and arranges translation into the language the clinic requires, if needed.
- Support during the trip. The coordinator stays in touch during your trip and contacts the clinic if a question comes up.
The coordinator also explains what each package includes, such as a hotel stay or transfers, so you can compare quotes on the same terms.
- Technique: Unshaven DHI hair transplantation
- Fuzun Erdogan gained international recognition for successfully operating on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- Adem and Havva Medical Center has conducted over 16,000 plastic surgery interventions and welcomes patients from 45 countries.
- Included Services: Consultation with a doctor, local anesthesia, blood tests, post-op medications, anti-HIV test, anti-HBC test, anti-HCVAb test, neck pillow, 1 PRP session, lifetime warranty, shampoo and lotion, follow-up visit, enhance self-discovery, find motivation, improve energy levels, breakfast only, 4* hotel, regular transfer.
- Stay Info: 3 days stay in the hotel, included in the price.
- Technique: Premium hair transplant (2,000ā4,500 grafts)
- Harun Kaya has advanced through multiple leading clinics as a hair transplant specialist, including international experience in Kosovo.
- Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital serves patients from the CIS, Africa, and Arab League States for specialized treatments.
- Included Services: Hotel, language assistance, blood tests, local anesthesia, 4-star hotel, VIP transfer (all transfers between airport, hotel, and hospital).
- Stay Info: 3 days in a 4-star hotel included in the price; no hospital stay required.
- Technique: FUE hair transplant using the Micro FUE method, up to 4,000 grafts.
- M. ReÅat Arpacı invented and patented a unique FUE micromotor technique that allows for the maximum number of hair grafts.
- Smile Hair Clinic | Hair Transplant in Turkey has performed hair transplants for over 10,000 gentlemen worldwide.
- Included Services: 1 PRP session, consultation with a physician, shampoo and lotion, language assistance, neck pillow, anti-HCVAb test, anti-HBC test, anti-HIV test, medications, local anesthesia, consultation with a doctor, parking.
- Stay Info: Accommodation and transfers are not included in the price; no hotel stay required.
- Technique: Premium hair transplant, 2500 grafts
- Ariyapon Lortaraprasert is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and FUE Europe.
- Vital Glow Skin & Aesthetic at Navamin 9 Hospital is recognized for participation in international hair restoration conferences and advanced training programs.
- Included Services: 1 PRP session, blood tests
- Stay Info: Accommodation and transfers are not included in the price.
- Technique: FUE Hair Transplant
- Dr. Leyla Arvas studied microsurgery at Taiwan Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, a top microsurgery center globally.
- Quartz Clinique serves 6,500 patients annually, with international patients primarily from Europe, Arab League States, and CIS.
- Included Services: Video or text consultation, local anesthesia, preoperative tests, medications, post-op medications, language assistance, lifetime warranty, 4* hotel, VIP transfer.
- Stay Info: 3 days stay in a 4* hotel included in the price.
The Bottom Line
The type that suits you depends on your donor hair and your pattern of hair loss, and the surgeon decides at the consultation.
- FUE and FUT. These are the two main extraction methods, and a surgeon may choose FUT when a large number of grafts is needed in one session.
- Body hair. Beard or chest hair adds grafts when scalp donor hair is limited.
- Turkey against the UK. A hair transplant in Turkey costs roughly 55%ā75% less than in the United Kingdom.
- Robotic ARTAS. Thailand has the lowest starting price for it, at $4,500.
- Surgeon. Confirm that the surgeon personally designs the hairline and makes the recipient openings.
With photos of your donor area, the surgeon can turn these price ranges into a quote for your own case.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover hair transplant types, prices, results, side effects and transplants for women.
What are the different types of hair transplant?
Hair transplant types are grouped by how the surgeon takes the hair, how the grafts are placed and where the donor hair comes from.
By extraction, the main types are follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). FUE removes follicles one by one, and FUT removes a thin strip of scalp. Robotic ARTAS is a form of FUE in which a robotic system helps the surgeon extract follicles, and unshaven FUE leaves the donor area unshaved.
By placement, the surgeon either makes openings first and then places the grafts, which is manual implantation. In direct hair implantation (DHI), a pen-shaped implanter does both in one step. By donor area, the hair comes from the scalp or, when scalp hair is limited, from the beard or chest. Each choice changes the price, so ask the clinic to name the planned type in the quote.
Which type of hair transplant is best for me?
Your surgeon decides which type suits you after assessing the hair at the back and sides of your head and your pattern of hair loss.
At the consultation, the surgeon checks how thick the donor hair is and how much of the scalp is thinning. FUE may be suggested for moderate hair loss with a stable donor area, and FUT when a large number of grafts is needed in one session. Body hair may be added when scalp donor hair is limited.
Female pattern hair loss and scarring alopecia also affect the choice, and a dermatologist should confirm scarring alopecia first. Photos of your scalp from the front, top and back help the surgeon give a first opinion before you travel. Ask the surgeon to explain in writing why a type suits your case and how many grafts it involves.
How much does a hair transplant cost?
A hair transplant costs from $1,500 in Turkey to $8,000 in South Korea, against prices from $8,900 in the United States.
Depending on the destination, that is roughly 10%ā85% less than the US starting price, based on Bookimed data. In Turkey, prices are also roughly 55%ā75% lower than in the United Kingdom.
The type changes the price too. In Turkey, FUT costs $1,400ā$2,100, FUE $1,600ā$2,300 and robotic ARTAS $8,500ā$14,000. The graft count your surgeon estimates sets the size of the operation. Compare quotes for the same number of grafts, check whether a package includes a hotel stay and transfers, and ask for the final quote in writing. Flights and extra hotel nights are paid separately unless the package includes them.
Is FUE or FUT cheaper?
FUT starts at a lower price than FUE in Turkey, Mexico, Poland, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, while FUE starts lower in Thailand.
In Turkey, FUT costs $1,400ā$2,100 and FUE $1,600ā$2,300. In South Korea, FUT costs $3,800ā$6,800, while FUE starts at $8,300. In Thailand, FUE costs $3,000ā$5,600, and FUT starts at $3,800. In the United States, FUT starts at $6,000 and FUE at $7,400.
The two methods also leave different scars. According to the NHS, FUT leaves one scar at the back of the head, which is not visible unless the hair is very short. FUE leaves many tiny scars. Your surgeon suggests the method that suits your donor area and graft count, so ask for both quotes with the same number of grafts.
How long until I see the results?
New hair usually starts to appear about 4 months after a hair transplant, and the full result shows after 10ā18 months, according to the NHS.
After a few weeks, the transplanted hair often falls out and then starts to grow back. Bandages can usually come off after 2ā5 days, and you can wash your hair gently by hand from day 6.
The grafts are not yet secure in the first 2 weeks, and you may need 1ā2 weeks off work. Because the full result shows long after you return home, ask the clinic how it reviews follow-up photos while the new hair grows. Regular photos of your scalp let the surgeon compare the result with the plan.
What are hair transplant side effects?
The common side effects are a tight, achy and swollen scalp for a few days, temporary scabbing where the hair was placed, and a scar, according to the NHS.
FUT leaves a single scar at the back of the head, and FUE leaves many very small scars. Other possible side effects are bleeding, an infection or an allergic reaction to the anesthetic. The transplanted hair may also not grow back, or a noticeable scar may form.
Tell your surgeon about every medicine you take and any allergies, and ask how likely each problem is in your case. A transplant is not usually suitable for patchy hair loss (alopecia areata). Have a doctor confirm which type of hair loss you have before you plan one.
Can women get a hair transplant?
Yes, women can have a hair transplant when the hair at the back and sides of the head is thick enough to supply the grafts.
Female pattern hair loss usually thins hair across the top of the head, so the surgeon first checks the donor hair. FUE and FUT are both used for women, and unshaven FUE leaves the donor area unshaved. Body hair may be added when scalp donor hair is limited. Scalp reduction, which removes one bald area, is rarely used for thinning spread across the scalp.
A female hair transplant starts at $1,600 in Turkey and at $6,000 in the United States. Ask the surgeon whether your hair loss is stable, because the plan covers the hair you have now and the thinning still to come.
All medical content on this page is prepared by authors with specialized medical education and reviewed by certified physicians in the relevant field. Medical review by Bulent Cihantimur , Plastic surgeon.
Last updated: October, 2026.
- Statistics: Figures are based on Bookimedās internal database October 2026, which includes analysis of 12,450 patient requests across accredited clinics in .
- Pricing: Cost information is provided directly by Bookimedās partner clinics and updated regularly to reflect current 2026 market conditions. Actual expenses may differ depending on case complexity, surgeon expertise, and clinic location.
- Clinical Data: Treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction figures are collected from Bookimedās verified clinic database and supported by data from peer-reviewed medical sources such as PubMed, The Lancet, JAMA, and NEJM (2023ā2026).
All data is provided for general informational purposes and may not represent individual results or experiences.