On the streets of Istanbul, they are hard to miss — groups of young men with gauze-wrapped heads and freshly treated scalps, dotted red from surgery. These visitors are not just tourists. They are in Türkiye for one reason: to reverse hair loss.
Many, like Paymaan Shahrokhey from Sydney, plan their procedures around travel. “My father’s side, my mother’s side — they’ve all lost their hair,” Shahrokhey said. “We were going on holiday to Europe, so I thought, why not get it done?”
Since the early 2000s, Türkiye has emerged as a global destination for hair transplants. The procedure involves moving healthy hair follicles from the back of the scalp to thinning or bald areas. It has become so popular that, according to officials, hundreds of thousands of men visit the country each year for treatment. In 2022, the industry was valued at $3 billion.
Cost is a major draw. In countries like Australia, a hair transplant can exceed $20,000. In Türkiye, the same procedure can cost just a fraction — as little as one-tenth — without sacrificing quality in many cases.
Competition among clinics is intense. Many market their services with glossy videos showing patients months after surgery, now sporting thick hair and confident smiles, often praised by partners for their transformations.
Some well-known names, including Lewis Hamilton, Matthew McConaughey, Gordon Ramsay, and Steve Carell, are reported to have had the treatment — further boosting the procedure’s global appeal.
Clinics such as the Smile Hair Clinic, located in a modern building on Istanbul’s Asian side, have taken cues from luxury hotels. Its lobby features stylish decor and a comfortable atmosphere, designed to appeal to international clients.
With its blend of affordability, expertise, and hospitality, Istanbul has cemented its place as the world’s hair transplant capital — one red-scalped tourist at a time.
