Hair Transplant Aftercare in Turkey: What’s Included in the Package?

If you ask anyone who’s been through a hair transplant in Turkey, they’ll tell you, the surgery is only half the story. The real results happen afterward, during aftercare. That quiet, careful week where you learn how to wash, sleep, and protect every new graft.

And yet, most people focus on clinic photos and pricing, barely glancing at what’s included after the operation. Big mistake. The aftercare package often determines how well your new hair grows.

According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), graft survival depends not only on surgical skill but also on how patients handle the first 10 days, especially washing, swelling control, and avoiding trauma to the recipient area.

The Turkish Ministry of Health echoes this with strict aftercare regulations for licensed clinics: written instructions, post-op checkups, and follow-up access must all be included in the treatment process.

In this guide, we’ll explore exactly what happens once the surgery ends, from the first wash to the 12-month follow-ups, and what’s typically included in Turkish aftercare packages versus what’s not.

Your surgery might take a day, but aftercare is a partnership that lasts a year. Let’s start with the essentials: what Turkish clinics actually include in their standard hair transplant aftercare packages, and how those details affect your final results.

Table of Contents

What Aftercare in Turkey Really Includes

When you walk out of the operating room, your aftercare officially begins, and that’s where many best hair transplant clinics in Turkey truly show their difference. The best hair transplant aftercare packages in Turkey don’t stop at painkillers and shampoo; they include full guidance, follow-up systems, and patient support that lasts months, not days.

What most licensed clinics include

According to USHAŞ and the Turkish Ministry of Health, every licensed clinic offering treatment to international patients must provide:

First hair wash (usually on day two or three, performed by medical staff)
Aftercare kit: medical shampoo, foam spray, saline solution, neck pillow, and protective headband
Post-op medications: antibiotics, pain relief, and anti-swelling tablets
Written care instructions and a 24-hour contact number for aftercare questions
Follow-up system (usually at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months via WhatsApp or email)

Some clinics go further, including PRP therapy or scalp serums to strengthen graft survival, but these are add-ons, not guarantees.

Why aftercare determines success

The ISHRS reports that post-op handling, especially proper washing, sleeping angle, and avoiding pressure, affects graft survival by up to 15–20%. Similarly, Healthline notes that keeping the scalp hydrated and clean during the first 10 days significantly reduces crust formation and infection risk.

This means the clinics that invest time in teaching you how to wash, rest, and protect your scalp aren’t just offering a service, they’re safeguarding your results.

The first week sets the tone for the entire year of growth. And it all starts with one simple question you should always ask before booking: “What exactly does your aftercare package include?”

Day-by-Day Recovery Timeline: What to Expect from Day 0 to 12 Months

Every patient heals at a slightly different pace, but the rhythm of recovery is remarkably consistent. According to both Healthline and the UK NHS, the first two weeks are all about protecting grafts and preventing infection, while months three to twelve focus on growth and density. Istanbul’s leading clinics follow a similar schedule, structured, clear, and medically supervised.

Days 0–3: Immediate Post-Op Phase

Your scalp will feel tight and slightly swollen, this is normal.
Clinics perform the first wash on day 2 or 3, using medical foam and saline.
You’ll be asked to sleep upright at a 30–45° angle to avoid pressure on grafts.
Avoid touching or scratching the recipient area; scabs are part of healing.
Medications: antibiotics, painkillers, and anti-inflammatory tablets (as prescribed).

Dr. Ahmet Murat: “The first 72 hours are when your grafts are finding blood supply. The more still you keep them, the better your long-term density will be.”

Days 4–10: Gentle Washes and Crust Softening

You’ll continue washing daily with foam shampoo, pouring lukewarm water using the cup method, never direct shower pressure.
Scabs begin to loosen naturally around day 7.
Swelling typically peaks around the forehead by day 5, then fades.
No sun, gym, smoking, or alcohol, all can increase swelling or infection risk.

According to PubMed clinical reviews, daily mild washing from day 3 onward helps reduce crusts and keeps follicles oxygenated, lowering post-op inflammation.

Weeks 3–4: Shedding (Shock Loss) Phase

Transplanted hairs will start to fall, completely normal.
The scalp may feel dry or itchy as new skin forms.
You can start light walking or return to office work.
Avoid tight hats and anything that rubs against grafts.

Months 2–3: Dormancy to Early Growth

The scalp looks calm again; minor redness fades.
New fine hairs begin emerging around week 10–12.
Some clinics recommend PRP sessions to boost regrowth.
You can resume gentle workouts and light travel.

Months 4–6: Visible Transformation Begins

Around 40–50% of your new hair starts to grow.
Texture may feel thin or soft at first, completely expected.
Continue using mild shampoos and avoid direct sun for long hours.

Months 6–12: Maturation Phase

Hair thickens, darkens, and blends with your natural pattern.
Final density usually appears around month 12–14.
Your clinic will ask for progress photos at months 6 and 12 for evaluation.

According to the ISHRS, most patients achieve 90–95% visible growth within 12–15 months after surgery, provided that aftercare and medical follow-ups are done correctly.

What’s Inside a Proper Aftercare Package in Turkey

When people hear “aftercare package”, they often think it’s just shampoo and foam. In reality, at reputable Istanbul clinics, it’s a well-structured medical support system designed to protect every single graft. The best clinics treat it as the second half of your operation, the part that ensures all that surgical work actually turns into hair.

What a standard aftercare package includes

Licensed clinics under the Turkish Ministry of Health and registered with USHAŞ typically provide:

First wash at the clinic (Day 2–3): Done by trained staff using sterile saline and medical foam.
Medication kit: Oral antibiotics (5–7 days), anti-inflammatory pills, painkillers, and sometimes an anti-edema medication for forehead swelling.
Aftercare products: Foam shampoo, saline spray, gentle moisturizer, and antiseptic cream for the donor area.
Accessories: Neck pillow, soft headband, travel bag, and protective cap (approved for later use).
Written instructions: A day-by-day guide covering washing, sleeping position, and activity limits.
24/7 coordinator line: For questions or emergencies after you leave Turkey.
Scheduled follow-ups: Usually at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, often via WhatsApp or email with a photo review.

Why this structure important

The ISHRS emphasizes that aftercare supervision directly impacts graft survival. Clinics that keep photographic contact and provide structured care see higher patient satisfaction scores and fewer complications.

Similarly, a PubMed-reviewed study found that patients who followed professional washing and saline protocols had a 20–25 percent lower infection rate and stronger graft adherence within two weeks.

Extra options some clinics include

PRP sessions (1–3 applications) to stimulate growth.
Mesotherapy or serum treatments for scalp nourishment.
Vitamin or finasteride prescriptions for long-term maintenance.

These extras can improve results, but they should never replace the basics, doctor oversight, proper washing education, and open communication.

**What’s Usually Not Included (and How to Budget)**

Here’s where many travelers to Istanbul get caught off guard. Those glossy “all-inclusive” ads sound perfect until you realize that aftercare doesn’t always mean everything.

The truth? Some clinics provide only the basics, while others offer genuine, doctor-led continuity for months. Knowing the difference helps you budget realistically, and avoid paying extra later for essentials that should have been included from the start.

Common items not included in basic packages

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) sessions: Many clinics offer one complimentary session, but additional ones, often recommended at months 1, 3, and 6, and are billed separately.
Finasteride or Minoxidil medications: These long-term therapies aren’t part of surgery costs and usually require an additional prescription.
Extended hotel stays: Most packages include 3 nights. If you want to stay longer (for tourism or delayed flights), expect a nightly charge.
Extra transfers or companion accommodations: Airport pickups are typically limited to one passenger; guests may require an upgrade.
Additional follow-up visits or PRP boosters after returning home: Some clinics provide free virtual check-ins but charge for in-person visits if you return later.
Medical insurance or refund coverage: Standard hair transplant packages in Turkey do not include insurance; complications or revisions are case-based.

Budget realistically: the “true” cost of full aftercare

The Turkish Health Tourism Association (THTC) reports that most international patients spend between $2,500 and $3,500 USD for a licensed, doctor-led hair transplant with full aftercare. If you see packages below $1,000, ask:

Is the surgeon named and present during surgery?
Are medications, follow-ups, and post-op wash included in the price?
Is the clinic licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health?

According to USHAŞ, these details separate legitimate clinics from unregistered operators that rely on volume, not medical ethics.

Red flag clue: If a package lists “VIP hotel, luxury transfers, translator, breakfast” but barely mentions who performs the surgery, it’s tourism first, medicine second.

The goal is to choose a clinic that prioritizes your healing process over travel perks. The extras are nice, but consistent medical follow-up is what guarantees long-term success.

Safe Washing, Sleeping, and Scab Care: Exactly How to Do It

The first week after your surgery is the make-or-break phase. Every graft is fragile, every movement matters. Istanbul’s top clinics don’t leave you guessing, they show you exactly how to care for your scalp using simple, science-backed steps.

How to wash your hair after a transplant

Most top Turkish hair transplant clinics perform your first wash on day 2 or 3. After that, you’ll wash daily at home for 10–14 days following the cup method:

Pour lukewarm water gently from a cup, never use direct shower pressure.
Apply the provided foam shampoo or saline spray and let it sit for a few minutes.
Rinse with water from the cup again, allowing it to flow over your scalp.
Pat dry gently with a soft towel, don’t rub.

According to Healthline and PubMed clinical data, daily gentle washing from day 3 onward reduces crust formation and improves oxygen flow, helping grafts anchor more securely.

Dr. Güncel Öztürk: “Think of it like nurturing seedlings, too much force drowns them, too little care dries them out. Balance is everything.”

Sleeping position

For the first 5–7 nights, sleep semi-upright at a 30–45° angle using a neck pillow. This helps minimize forehead swelling and prevents grafts from rubbing against pillows.

Avoid lying flat or sideways.
Use a clean pillowcase every night.
Skip sleeping pills or alcohol that make you move too much during sleep.

Scab care and swelling control

Scabs: Start loosening naturally after day 5. Don’t pick or scratch; they’ll shed by day 10–12.
Swelling: Common between days 2–5. A soft elastic headband placed above the eyebrows (provided in your kit) helps keep swelling from reaching the eyes.
Sun exposure: None for 14 days; wear a clinic-approved cap only after day 10.
Exercise: Avoid gyms and sweating for two weeks; heat increases infection risk.

According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), maintaining scalp moisture, protecting grafts from friction, and avoiding overheating reduce the chance of folliculitis and trauma during early healing.

Doctor-Led Care After Surgery

Here’s something many first-time patients don’t realize: the surgery may last a day, but medical responsibility lasts for months. True professionals in Istanbul treat aftercare as a continuation of surgery, not as a customer service handoff.

Why doctor oversight makes or breaks your results

According to the ISHRS, consistent physician supervision during recovery reduces post-op complications like infection, shock loss, or poor density outcomes by up to 25%. That’s because only a trained doctor can:

Evaluate graft survival during photo check-ins.
Identify early signs of folliculitis or necrosis.
Adjust medical treatments (like topical minoxidil or antibiotics) safely.
Determine when PRP or additional treatments are genuinely useful.

What proper medical supervision looks like

A reputable clinic ensures that your surgeon or an assigned medical doctor stays responsible for your recovery. Expect:

Regular WhatsApp or email follow-ups (1, 3, 6, and 12 months).
Clear explanations of what each phase means (shedding, regrowth, thickening).
Access to the doctor, not just a translator or sales coordinator.
Review of your progress photos and advice tailored to your scalp’s healing pace.

What happens when there’s no doctor oversight

Without medical follow-up, issues like ingrown follicles, excessive crusting, or scarring can go unnoticed until it’s too late to fix. Technician-run operations often skip this stage entirely, which is why ISHRS and USHAŞ both warn against “black-market” setups offering volume over care.

If something goes wrong

Contact your clinic first and document everything, messages, receipts, and medical reports.
If unresolved, submit a complaint via USHAŞ.
For legal follow-up, reach out to the Provincial Health Directorate in the region where the clinic operates.

Both bodies treat international complaints seriously, particularly if the clinic isn’t properly licensed.

Aftercare Card

Here’s a practical, no-nonsense summary you can save, print, or screenshot before your trip. It blends advice from the Turkish Ministry of Health, USHAŞ, ISHRS, NHS, and Healthline into one simple recovery tracker, exactly what most Istanbul clinics teach in person.

Days 0–3 — Protection Mode

Sleep upright 30–45° using your neck pillow.
No touching, scratching, or washing until the clinic performs your first wash (Day 2 or 3).
Take antibiotics + anti-swelling meds as prescribed.
Keep donor and recipient areas dry; avoid sun and heat.

Days 4–10 — Gentle Care

Wash once daily with foam shampoo + cup method (no direct water pressure).
Let scabs soften naturally — never peel or rub.
Avoid gym, alcohol, smoking, and tight hats.
Use saline spray several times daily to keep grafts hydrated.

Weeks 3–4 — Shedding Phase

Expect transplanted hairs to fall; follicles remain safe underneath.
Redness fades; scalp feels normal again.
Light activity and short walks are fine.
Moisturize donor area with clinic-approved cream.

Months 2–3 — Early Regrowth

Fine new hairs start sprouting.
Optional PRP or mesotherapy sessions may be suggested.
Resume normal washing with gentle massage (fingertips only).

Months 4–6 — Density Starts Showing

About 40–50 % of transplanted hairs visible.
Continue mild shampoo and avoid harsh chemicals or tight helmets.
Keep the scalp protected from direct sun.

Months 6–12 — Final Maturation

Hair thickens and darkens; full results by Month 12–15.
Send progress photos to your clinic at 1, 3, 6, 12 months.
Maintain a balanced diet and, if advised, supportive medication.