Jared Gravatt, a 34-year-old from rural Illinois, says he was “gifted with the genes of a receding hairline.” After years of experimenting with hair-growth treatments and considering a transplant, he finally took the plunge—thousands of miles from home.
Gravatt was inspired by a friend who had traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, for a hair transplant and returned with impressive results. “He said it was one of the best decisions he’s ever made,” Gravatt tells PEOPLE. That endorsement, combined with Gravatt’s love of travel and the affordable cost, convinced him to go to the same clinic: Now Hair Time.
“A lot of people asked why I didn’t do it in the U.S., but it was about a fourth of the cost over there,” Gravatt explains. “And I liked the idea of going somewhere new.”
Gravatt began his consultation with Now Hair Time, which involved a detailed health evaluation and a scalp analysis to determine the right procedure. As someone who describes himself as “anxious,” he appreciated the transparency and ability to ask as many questions as he needed. The process covered everything: how many grafts would be transplanted, where the donor hair would come from, what the procedure involved, and what to expect during his stay.
Now Hair Time offers different pricing packages, which Gravatt said were more affordable than those in the U.S. He described the clinic as “clean” and “professional” and was provided a translator throughout his visit.
His procedure—Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)—lasted more than seven hours. While he remained in a twilight state during the transplant, Gravatt says there was no pain. “They took the donor hairs out, punched holes on the top, and implanted the hairs,” he says. “They did 4,200 grafts for me.”
After the procedure, Gravatt received strict post-op instructions: drink lots of water, avoid touching or bumping his head, and even abstain from sex. These precautions were meant to minimize swelling and help the scalp heal properly.
“The first three days are absolutely crucial,” he says. “I wanted to explore, but I thought, ‘Better to stay in and avoid any risk.’” So he remained in his room for most of the trip to ensure a smooth recovery.
Gravatt has been documenting his hair transformation journey on Instagram and hopes his experience will help others considering the same path.
