Recovery after a hair transplant in Turkey follows the same timeline as FUE recovery anywhere: 7 to 10 days for initial healing, 2 to 3 weeks before resuming physical activity, and 9 to 12 months for full growth. The unique aspect of recovering from a Turkey procedure is managing the early days abroad and transitioning to remote follow-up once you return home.
This guide covers the complete recovery timeline, what to do while still in Istanbul, and how to handle aftercare remotely.
Recovery in Turkey (Days 1-3)
Day 1: Procedure Day Evening
After the procedure, you return to your hotel with a bandage on the donor area and the recipient area exposed. Here is what to expect that first evening:
- Mild discomfort: The anesthesia wears off within 4 to 6 hours. Most patients describe the sensation as tightness rather than sharp pain. The clinic provides pain medication to take before bed.
- Swelling has not started yet: Swelling typically begins on day 2 and peaks on days 3 to 4
- Sleep position: Sleep elevated at a 45-degree angle using the neck pillow provided by the clinic. This reduces swelling. Do not let the transplanted area touch the pillow.
- No touching: Do not touch, scratch, or rub the recipient area under any circumstances
Day 2: First Follow-Up at the Clinic
Your clinic appointment on day 2 includes:
- Donor bandage removal: The medical team removes the wrap and inspects the extraction sites
- First wash: A trained nurse performs your first post-op wash. This is gentle: lukewarm water, special shampoo applied with fingertips (no rubbing), and careful patting dry. They demonstrate the technique you will replicate at home for the next 10 days.
- Medication review: Confirm your antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and pain medication schedule
- Progress photos: Day-2 photos are taken for your medical record
After this appointment, the rest of the day is yours. Rest at the hotel, eat light meals, and stay hydrated. Avoid going outside in direct sun without a loose hat covering the transplanted area.
Day 3: Pre-Departure Day
By day 3:
- Swelling is building: Forehead and around the eyes may start to puff up, especially for hairline cases. This is normal and resolves within 5 to 7 days.
- Tiny scabs are forming: Small crusts form around each implanted graft. These will fall off naturally between days 7 and 14.
- Donor area feels tight: The back of your head may feel sore and tight where grafts were extracted. This eases over the next week.
Most patients pack and prepare for their flight home on day 3 or 4. For a detailed walkthrough of what happens before this point, read our step-by-step procedure guide.
Flying Home Safely
Pre-Flight Preparation
Before heading to the airport:
- Take your anti-inflammatory medication to help with swelling during the flight
- Apply saline spray to the recipient area
- Wear a loose-fitting hat or the headband provided by the clinic
- Pack your medications and saline spray in your carry-on (not checked luggage)
During the Flight
| Concern | Solution |
|---|---|
| Dry cabin air | Spray saline on the recipient area every 30 to 60 minutes |
| Bumping transplanted area | Use a neck pillow, avoid overhead bins |
| Swelling increase | Request an aisle seat, walk every hour, stay hydrated |
| Curious stares | A loose cap or hat covers the visible signs comfortably |
The grafts are secure in their channels within 24 hours of the procedure. Cabin pressure, altitude changes, and mild turbulence do not affect graft survival. The main risks are physical contact with the transplanted area and dehydration.
Recovery at Home (Days 4-14)
Days 4-5: Peak Swelling
Swelling typically peaks between days 3 and 5. For hairline transplants, the swelling can travel down to the forehead, eyebrows, and even the upper eyelids. This looks alarming but is completely normal and temporary.
To manage swelling:
- Continue sleeping elevated at 45 degrees
- Apply cold compresses to the forehead (not the transplanted area)
- Take the anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by your clinic
- Stay upright as much as possible during the day
Days 5-7: Scabbing Phase
The tiny crusts around each graft begin to mature. They appear as small reddish-brown dots across the transplanted area. During this phase:
- Continue gentle daily washes following the clinic's technique
- Do not pick or scratch at scabs. Let them loosen and fall naturally.
- The donor area begins to look much better as the small extraction wounds close
- Redness gradually fades from both donor and recipient areas
Days 7-10: Scab Removal
Around day 10, the clinic instructs you to perform a more thorough wash to remove remaining scabs. The process:
- Apply baby oil or the clinic's softening lotion to the recipient area
- Wait 30 to 45 minutes for the crusts to soften
- Gently rub in circular motions with fingertips during the wash
- Repeat daily until all scabs are gone (usually 1 to 3 wash sessions)
Once scabs are removed, the recipient area looks pink but relatively clean. Many patients feel comfortable going out in public without a hat at this stage.
Days 10-14: Return to Normal Activities
| Activity | When You Can Resume |
|---|---|
| Desk work (office job) | Days 3-5 |
| Light walking | Day 3 |
| Driving | Day 5 |
| Light exercise (no sweating) | Day 14 |
| Full gym workouts | Days 21-28 |
| Swimming | Day 30 |
| Direct sun exposure | Day 30 (with SPF) |
| Wearing tight hats or helmets | Day 30 |
Remote Follow-Up With Your Turkish Clinic
How It Works
Reputable Turkish clinics maintain contact with international patients for 12 months after the procedure. The standard follow-up schedule:
- Day 7-10: Send photos via WhatsApp. The clinic confirms scab removal is proceeding correctly and approves any adjustments to your washing routine.
- Week 3-4: Photo check-in. The clinic looks for signs of normal healing and the beginning of the "shedding phase."
- Month 3: Progress photos. Early new growth may start to appear.
- Month 6: Mid-point evaluation with photos or video call.
- Month 12: Final result assessment. The clinic compares before-and-after photos to evaluate graft survival and density.
When to Seek Local Medical Help
Contact your local doctor or urgent care if you experience:
- Fever above 101 F (38.3 C) that persists for more than 24 hours
- Increasing pain rather than decreasing pain after day 3
- Pus or yellow-green discharge from the donor or recipient area
- Expanding redness or warmth around specific sites (signs of localized infection)
- Heavy bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
These complications are rare, affecting less than 1% of FUE patients, but they require in-person medical evaluation. Send photos to your Turkish clinic simultaneously so they can coordinate with your local provider.
The Shedding Phase (Weeks 2-6)
Why Transplanted Hair Falls Out
Between weeks 2 and 6, most of the transplanted hair shafts fall out. This is called shock loss and it is completely normal. The transplanted follicles go into a resting phase after being relocated. The hair shaft falls out, but the follicle remains alive beneath the surface.
During this phase:
- You may look similar to how you looked before the transplant
- This is temporary and does not mean the procedure failed
- The follicles will begin producing new hair shafts starting around month 3 to 4
- Not all grafts shed simultaneously. Some may retain their hair shafts.
This is often the most psychologically challenging phase of recovery. Knowing it is coming and understanding the biology behind it helps significantly. For detailed information about what happens after shedding, read about results and expectations.
Long-Term Recovery (Months 3-12)
Growth Timeline
| Month | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Month 3 | First new hairs begin to emerge. Thin and wispy at first. |
| Month 4-5 | Noticeable new growth. Hair is still fine and soft. |
| Month 6 | Approximately 50% of final density visible. Hair begins to thicken. |
| Month 8-9 | 70-80% of final density. Hair looks noticeably fuller. |
| Month 12 | 90-95% of final result. Hair has reached normal thickness. |
| Month 15-18 | Some patients see continued minor improvement. |
Get Your Recovery Plan
Every hair loss case is different. Upload a photo at myhairline.ai to get an AI-powered assessment of your hair loss pattern, understand what level of coverage to expect from a transplant, and plan your recovery timeline based on your specific situation.
FAQ
How long does it take to recover from a hair transplant in Turkey?
The initial physical recovery takes 7 to 10 days. Redness and scabbing in the recipient area clear by day 10, and the donor area heals within 7 to 14 days. You can return to desk work in 3 to 5 days and resume exercise after 2 to 3 weeks. Full cosmetic recovery, meaning visible hair growth that looks natural, takes 9 to 12 months.
When can I fly home after a hair transplant in Turkey?
You can safely fly home 48 to 72 hours after the procedure. Grafts anchor into the scalp within 24 hours. Most patients fly home on day 3 or 4 after their procedure. Flying does not damage grafts, but you should avoid bumping the transplanted area, stay hydrated, and spray saline on the recipient area during the flight.
What if I have complications after returning home from Turkey?
Reputable Turkish clinics provide 12 months of remote follow-up via WhatsApp, email, or video calls. If you experience unusual swelling, signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, or pus), or excessive pain, send photos to your clinic coordinator immediately. For urgent issues like high fever or severe bleeding, visit your local emergency room and inform them of the procedure. Serious complications are rare, occurring in less than 1% of FUE procedures.