Hair Transplant: Procedure, Candidacy & Results

What the treatment involves

Apex Beauty performs three recognised transplantation techniques, chosen based on area, graft count, and desired level of detail.

The three main techniques

FUE

Follicular units (1 to 4 hairs) are extracted one by one with a micro-punch tool. No linear incision, no visible scar. 5 to 8 hours depending on graft count.

Most used in Istanbul

Sapphire FUE

Channels are opened with sapphire blades instead of steel: smaller, more precise incisions, faster healing, higher density per cm², and lower risk of scabbing.

DHI

Follicles are implanted directly using a Choi Implanter Pen, without opening separate channels first. Precise control over angle and depth, ideal for the hairline.

Sapphire FUE vs. DHI: the comparison

Factor	Sapphire FUE	DHI
Best for	Large areas, high graft counts	Frontal hairline, high detail, smaller areas
Healing	Fast (smaller incisions)	Moderate (more tool passes)
Precision	High	Very high (angle and depth control)
Typical session length	5 to 8 hours	6 to 10 hours
Relative cost	Moderate	Higher
Can be combined?	Yes	Yes, DHI for hairline + Sapphire FUE for crown is common

Who is a suitable candidate?

A free consultation with scalp analysis gives a precise, individual assessment.

✓

Androgenetic alopecia in a stable phase (loss has slowed or stabilised).

✓

Adequate donor density at the back and sides of the scalp.

✓

Realistic expectations: a transplant restores density but cannot replicate the full hair of early youth.

✓

Good general health, no active infections or untreated autoimmune conditions.

✓

Women with androgenetic alopecia can also be suitable candidates. With diffuse hair loss across the entire scalp, stable donor density is often insufficient, so a specialist assessment is essential.

Recovery & aftercare

The recovery period matters as much as the procedure itself. It determines graft survival, healing quality, and the final result.

Day 1 to 7

Initial healing

Small scabs form, redness and mild swelling around the forehead and eyes is common. Sleep with the head elevated, avoid touching the scalp.

Weeks 2 to 4

Shock loss

Up to 90% of transplanted hair shafts shed. This is completely normal; the follicles themselves remain alive beneath the scalp.

Months 3 to 6

Visible growth begins

Fine new hairs emerge and gradually thicken. By month 6, around 40 to 60% of the final result is visible.

Months 6 to 9

Density improves

Hair becomes noticeably thicker and darker. Around 80% of grafts have broken through by this point.

Months 12 to 18

Final refinement

The last hairs mature and thicken. Transplanted hair fully blends with native hair.

Key aftercare rules

📍No direct sun exposure on the scalp for at least 4 weeks.

📍No swimming (pool, sea, or lake) for at least 4 weeks.

📍No intense exercise or heavy sweating for 2 to 3 weeks.

📍No alcohol for the first week; it affects blood circulation.

📍No smoking: nicotine restricts blood supply and reduces graft survival.

📍Sleep with the head elevated for the first 3 to 5 nights.

📍Wash gently per the clinic's instructions; no strong water pressure directly on the grafts.

📍Attend all follow-up appointments; some clinics offer remote check-ins.

Results: what to realistically expect

Full results are visible at 12 to 18 months, not immediately.

A transplant relocates existing healthy follicles; it cannot create new ones. The result is limited by the available donor area.

Transplanted hair grows for life because it's taken from DHT-resistant zones.

Graft survival rates at reputable clinics are generally 90 to 95%. If the result is below expectations after 12 to 18 months, a follow-up session can be discussed. Apex Beauty offers a 12-month follow-up consultation to assess the outcome.

In the first 1 to 2 weeks, visible scabbing and redness may be noticeable. After that, healing is largely invisible. By months 4 to 6, the new hair blends naturally and, with an experienced surgeon, is indistinguishable from native hair.

Möchten Sie tiefer eintauchen? Unsere Hairpedia behandelt Haarausfall, Diagnose, Techniken und den vollständigen Monat-für-Monat-Heilungsverlauf im Detail.

Hair Transplantation <span>at Apex Beauty</span>