“Turkey is gaining worldwide attention as a mecca for balding individuals. On the 11th (local time), Business Insider journalist Spencer MacNaughton revealed his experience of receiving a hair transplant in Istanbul, the mecca for bald men. According to the Turkish Tourism Association, in 2022 alone, about one million people visited Turkey for hair transplants, spending around $2 billion. Hair transplantation has become a huge global business in Turkey over the past 20 years, and it is estimated to reach a value of $11 billion by the end of this year.
Spencer mentioned that despite the availability of many hair loss treatments and therapies in the market, none surpassed the effectiveness of hair transplantation. He described Turkey as a destination renowned for enjoying prosperity through hair transplants.
Spencer discovered his hair loss at the age of 24 in 2015 when he noticed a bald spot in a Snapchat video posted by a friend. Before receiving the hair transplant, he experienced continuous hair loss. He shared his feelings of decreased self-esteem, feeling less attractive, less masculine, and aging faster than his peers due to his balding.
In his quest for hair loss treatment, Spencer tried FDA-approved topical minoxidil (Rogaine) and oral finasteride (Propecia) but did not consistently use them. He also experimented with the oral version of minoxidil, which is used in dermatology as a blood pressure medication. Despite some benefits from these treatments, he noticed a significant progression of his hair loss over time, leading to feelings of depression and even resorting to taking antidepressants.
After deciding to undergo hair transplantation in Turkey, Spencer faced anxieties related to the 10-hour flight, having surgery in a foreign country, concerns about the procedure, and potential side effects of the transplant. He underwent a consultation about the desired hairline and transplantation site for about 15 minutes before immediately proceeding with the procedure. The initial injection of fentanyl for pain relief and sedation was the most terrifying part for Spencer, as medical staff inserted needles into the back of his head for 30 minutes to induce anesthesia. The procedure involved extracting and implanting hair follicles over an 8-hour period.
After the completion of all procedures, Spencer described feeling sticky with blood and having to sleep with bandages wrapped around his head and neck. Despite the discomfort, he reported minimal pain and was satisfied with the progress. He continued to take hair loss medication to maintain his transplanted hair. Four months into recovery, he noticed new hair growth along his hairline, boosting his confidence. Spencer expressed satisfaction with the results and mentioned that his doctor recommended a second surgery for a perfect transplant.
Spencer highlighted the affordability of hair transplants as a key factor in Turkey’s emergence as a hub for hair transplantation. While hair transplants in the US cost between $10,000 to $20,000, including surgery, post-operative care, hotel accommodation, and airfare, Turkey’s costs are about one-third of that even when factoring in all associated expenses. The devaluation of the Turkish lira, coupled with lower living costs and wages for laborers, contributes to the cost-effective nature of medical tourism to Turkey.
Furthermore, Turkish health authorities have incentivized medical tourism by offering tax reductions, subsidies to hospitals, and other benefits, resulting in a significant increase in medical tourists since 2019.”