Post-op care after a Turkey hair transplant starts immediately at the clinic and continues for 12-18 months through remote follow-ups. Your all-inclusive package covers the medications, aftercare products, and follow-up consultations needed for recovery. Understanding exactly what you receive, when to use each product, and what ongoing maintenance looks like after returning home will help you get the best possible results from your procedure.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
What Is in Your Post-Op Medication Kit
Turkish clinics provide a medication kit before you leave the clinic on your procedure day or at your first post-op wash on day 2-3. The contents vary slightly between clinics, but a standard kit includes the following.
Prescription Medications
| Medication | Purpose | Duration | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin) | Prevent infection at donor and recipient sites | 5-7 days | Take with food, complete the full course |
| Painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen) | Manage post-op soreness | 3-7 days as needed | Take every 6-8 hours if needed, do not exceed daily limit |
| Anti-inflammatory (methylprednisolone or dexamethasone) | Reduce swelling | 3-5 days | Take as directed, usually a tapered dose |
| Anti-swelling tablets | Prevent forehead and eye swelling | 3-5 days | Start immediately after surgery |
Aftercare Products
| Product | Purpose | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Healing spray (saline or biotin spray) | Keep grafts hydrated during days 1-3 | Mist gently over recipient area every 1-2 hours |
| Specialized shampoo | Gentle cleansing without disturbing grafts | Use from first wash (day 2-3) through week 4 |
| Moisturizing lotion | Soften scabs for removal | Apply 15-30 minutes before washing from day 3 onward |
| Neck/travel pillow | Maintain elevated sleeping position | Use for first 7-10 nights |
| Headband | Prevent swelling from reaching forehead/eyes | Wear around the forehead for days 1-3 |
Some premium packages also include a PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) session performed during or immediately after the procedure. PRP uses your own concentrated blood platelets to promote healing at the transplant site.
Day-by-Day Post-Op Care Schedule
Day 0: Surgery Day
After the procedure is complete (typically 6-10 hours), the clinic applies a bandage to the donor area. The recipient area is left uncovered. You receive your medication kit and instructions, then return to your hotel via the clinic's VIP transfer.
That evening:
- Begin antibiotics and anti-swelling medication
- Take painkillers if needed before sleep
- Sleep elevated at 45 degrees using the neck pillow
- Spray the recipient area with the healing spray every 1-2 hours while awake
- Wear the headband across your forehead
- Do not touch the transplanted grafts
Day 1: Hotel Rest
Stay at the hotel and rest. Continue all medications on schedule. Key rules:
- Continue spraying grafts every 1-2 hours
- Stay elevated when sitting and sleeping
- Avoid bending over or looking down
- No washing or touching the transplanted area
- Drink plenty of water to reduce swelling
- Eat light, nutritious meals (room service or nearby restaurants)
Day 2-3: First Clinic Wash
Return to the Turkish clinic for your first wash. A trained nurse or technician will:
- Remove the donor area bandage
- Apply moisturizing lotion to the recipient area for 15-20 minutes
- Gently pour lukewarm water over the transplant zone
- Apply specialized shampoo with fingertips using zero pressure
- Rinse and pat dry
- Examine both donor and recipient areas
- Demonstrate the washing technique you will continue at home
This wash removes dried blood and begins the scab softening process. The team photographs your scalp and provides written instructions for home care.
Days 3-5: Flying Home
Most patients fly home between day 3 and day 5. Before leaving Turkey:
- Attend the first wash appointment (if not already done)
- Get written aftercare instructions in your language
- Save the clinic's WhatsApp number for follow-up communication
- Confirm the remote follow-up schedule
For the flight home:
- Wear a loose, button-down shirt to avoid pulling anything over your head
- Bring the neck pillow for in-flight sleeping
- Continue medications on schedule
- Spray grafts with saline if the flight is longer than 4 hours
- Avoid overhead bins if possible (ask for gate-checked luggage or have a travel companion help)
Ongoing Care After Returning Home
Weeks 1-2: Daily Washing Routine
Continue washing daily using the clinic-provided shampoo and the technique demonstrated at your first wash:
- Apply moisturizing lotion to the recipient area, wait 15-20 minutes
- Pour lukewarm water gently over the area from a cup
- Dab shampoo with fingertips (no rubbing, no pressure)
- Rinse by pouring water
- Pat dry with a soft paper towel
Donor area washing can be slightly more vigorous by week 2 since extraction sites heal faster than implantation sites.
Weeks 2-4: Scab Removal Phase
Scabs begin loosening around day 7-10 and should all be gone by day 14. After the first week, you can use slightly firmer (but still gentle) circular fingertip motions during washing to help loosen scabs. Never pick or scratch at them.
Long-Term Medication Considerations
After the initial post-op medication course ends, some patients continue ongoing treatments to protect native hair and support transplant results:
| Treatment | Purpose | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finasteride (1mg daily) | Blocks DHT to slow native hair loss | Ongoing (years) | Discuss with your doctor at home; not appropriate for all patients |
| Minoxidil (topical) | Stimulates growth and supports graft survival | 6-12 months or ongoing | Usually safe to start 2-4 weeks post-op |
| Biotin supplements | Supports hair health | Optional ongoing | Limited clinical evidence but low risk |
| PRP sessions | Promotes follicle health | Every 3-6 months | Can be done locally, not only in Turkey |
Your Turkish clinic may recommend finasteride or minoxidil during your follow-up consultations. Discuss these with a doctor in your home country before starting, as both have potential side effects that require medical oversight.
Remote Follow-Up Schedule
Most Turkish clinics provide follow-up support via WhatsApp and video calls on this schedule:
- 1 week post-op: Photo check of donor and recipient healing
- 1 month post-op: Assessment of scab removal, early healing progress
- 3 months post-op: Check for early regrowth (this is when new growth begins)
- 6 months post-op: Density assessment, growth progress photos
- 12 months post-op: Near-final results evaluation
At each check-in, send clear photos of your hairline, crown, and donor area taken in consistent lighting. The clinic team will assess your progress and advise on any adjustments to your care routine.
When to Seek Local Medical Help
Contact a doctor in your home country (rather than waiting for a WhatsApp reply) if you experience:
- Signs of infection: increasing redness, warmth, pus, or fever after day 5
- Unusual pain that worsens rather than improves
- Large areas of graft loss (small amounts of shedding are normal)
- Allergic reaction to medications (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
What to Expect Month by Month
| Month | What Happens | Care Required |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Scabs gone, transplanted hairs begin shedding (shock loss) | Gentle washing, medications |
| Months 2-3 | "Ugly duckling phase," area may look sparse | Patience, possible minoxidil |
| Months 3-4 | New fine hairs begin emerging | Continue minoxidil if using |
| Months 6-8 | Visible density improvement | Normal hair care routine |
| Months 12-18 | Full results with mature thickness | Final follow-up with clinic |
For detailed pricing on what all-inclusive packages cover, see our Turkey vs USA cost comparison. To understand how different extraction methods affect your recovery, read our FUE vs FUT comparison.
Want to plan your recovery timeline based on your specific hair loss pattern? Get a free AI analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze to understand your current stage and what post-op recovery will look like for your situation.