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Hair Transplant in Turkey & Package Offers

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TOP 3 Things You Need to Know about Hair Transplant Package Offers in Turkey!

written by Matt Dominance

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If you are new to my website, make sure you read Medical Disclaimer before you continue reading this article.

     In this post you’ll find out:

  • Normal FUE vs Sapphire FUE vs DHI – which one to choose?
  • Why you should always go with Packages with Doctor Performed Incisions!
  • Why technicians are going to do 80%-100% of the job by most of the Turkish clinics offering package deals!

You can also Fill out the Contact Form below this Article for Finding out the best Clinic in Turkey for your Budget!

1. Normal FUE vs Sapphire FUE vs DHI - which one to choose?

Hair transplant clinics like to ”confuse” patients by offering different all-inclusive packages (hotel, airport transfers, PRP sessions, surgery, etc.) for a fixed price. 

Often times, however patients have trouble choosing the right type of package because of different implantation method being offered.

Sapphire FUE, normal FUE, DHI, etc.

FUE VS DHI VS SAPPHIRE FUE

One of the most frequently asked questions I get form guys who are interested in a hair transplant in Turkey is: Which method should I choose Matt?

Turkish hair transplant clinics are unfortunately the most influential factor which is responsible for recent confusion around the hair transplant techniques over the last 5 years.

ISHRS (the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) differentiates only between 2 main techniques: FUE and FUT.

This distinction is originates in different ways of harvesting the hair follicles from the donor area.

Follicular Unit Extraction (on the left) vs Follicular Unit Transplantation (on the right)

Is there a best Implantation Technique to minimize scarring, maximize transplanted hair density and healing?

After multiple years of researching hair transplants, seeing thousands of hair transplant results and talking to multiple doctors who use different implantation methods incl. DHI, sapphire FUE, normal FUE utilizing blades vs needles vs stick&place method), I realized that the skill of the doctor ultimately trumps the implantation method used.

Look at the skill of the doctor with this or that implantation method before deciding to get a hair transplant.

“‘Techniques” like FUE Sapphire, Perkutan FUE, DHI (dull vs sharp implanter), stick and place FUE are just different ways of placing the harvested hair follicles onto patient’s recipient area.

In theory, each implantation method can have its advantages against the other method, but ultimately it always comes down to how many years a doctor has spent learning and mastering a particular implantation method. 

If the doctor is experienced, only then patients can benefit from the full utility of a particular implantation method.

The implantation technique will always matter less as long as the doctor performing the incision-making/implantation is able to:

 
  1. Properly control the depth and direction of the incision
  2. Control excessive bleeding during the surgery which enables faster heeling
  3. Is accustomed to one particular implantation technique which enables him to be efficient and precise, and place follicular units in higher densities 

 

Some of the TOP FUE doctors who use DHI as an implantation method:

Dr. Couto, Dr. Lorenzo, or Dr. de Freitas, Eugenix.

Another great FUE doctors who don’t use DHI:

Dr. Bisanga, Dr. Feriduni, Dr. Heitmann, Dr. Devroye, Dr. Mwamba, Dr. Lam.

This only confirms that it is all about devoting years of practice to one or the other implantation method rather than about the method itself.

By looking at the results of these doctors you will find out that all of them are able to produce consistent results of high naturalness, and high density.

DHI and Sapphire FUE - Marketing or Not?

Many clinics in Turkey actually use DHI as a Marketing Tactic to make patients spend more money but is there an additional benefit for you as a patient?

This clinic in Turkey uses DHI as the ”most popular” option. Is it really true? Who knows! But for some reason, they want patients to select this option. Is it only to make more money or to help the patient get a better result?

DHI cost are higher than normal FUE

Utilizing DHI as a hair transplant clinic means additional cost for implanter needles (which are disposable and thus can’t be re-used by another patient) as well as cost for additional 1 or 2 assistants for loading the implanter pens with grafts. 

More staff and higher material cost make DHI more expensive compared to normal FUE utilizing needles or blades for recipient sites creation.

 

But why not stick to the normal FUE?

It is true that with normal FUE implantation (using needles or blades), the incisions (recipient sites) need to be done a little bit wider initially, because the hair follicles won’t be placed inside of them until all of the recipient sites had been created. Incision making can take from 30-60 minutes based on how many graft/hair follicles will be implanted.

The incisions start to shrink over time and that’s why their openings need to be made wider initially. This can in theory mean more trauma and more scarring to the recipient area unlike with DHI or stick&place.

With DHI or stick&place implantation methods, incision and graft placement occurs simultaneously. This enables the incisions (openings into the recipient area skin) to be made at the ideal size (just wide enough to accommodate the placed graft/hair follicle).

 

Sapphire FUE - What does the study say?

In this study on Sapphire FUE they tried to mathematically check the tissue trauma (injury) caused by different shapes of the blades at varying angles during recipient sites creation. Check the study here.

 

Study on Sapphire FUE and potential injury to the recipient area during hair restoration

The results of the study on Sapphire FUE speak for itself. It is not about the blade material e.g sapphire, but rather about the angle of insertion. 

 

2. Always go with Packages with Doctor Performed Incisions!

Doctor who performs the incisions himself is more likely to:

  • Care about the end result than a technician whose name is not representing the clinic. Technicians can come and leave the clinic whenever they want but it’s the doctor’s name, which is tied to the clinic’s website and marketing.
  • Properly estimate the blade/needle/implanter size before starting the incision making process and thus avoids unnecessary scarring, graft popping as a result of recipient sites being done too tight, etc.
  • Create an artistic and natural hairline design instead of mechanically going through the motions from patient to patient
  • Properly execute the angles of the incisions in order to minimize wounding to the skin as well as achieving the most natural result possible

In this example it would be probably the safest to choose the VIP DHI SAPPHIRE package where the doctor is likely to perform the incisions himself. But please, don’t see this as a direct recommendation either!!

 

 

3. Technicians are going to do 80%-100% of the job!

If you’re about to book a hair transplant package offer in Turkey, be sure that the technician involvement will be higher compared to a boutique type of clinic where doctor performs one surgery a day with his team on a regular basis.

Clinics who are able to perform multiple surgeries per day are known for outsourcing and building systems. One one hand, it makes them better business men, but on the other hand extreme outsourcing can lead to poor quality.

You want to make sure that the clinic employs experienced technicians, as they are likely going to be responsible for 80% and more of your whole surgery!

How to make sure that the technicians are skilled enough to perform an excellent surgery?

  • The clinic should have one main or more than one doctors who have medical license and have extensive training and experience in hair restoration. This generally sets higher demands on technicians who apply for the job at the particular clinic, because hair transplant doctors have higher requirements for a quality technician workers.
  •  Ask the clinic about how many years have their technicians been working for the clinic?
  • Who are their most recent technicians they have accepted to work for their clinic and what is their experience, how many years?

At the end of the day guys who go to hair transplant clinics offering packages and performing 5,10 or even more surgeries per day, need to accept a slight risk of not being able to know it all – especially by clinics that employ more than 15-20 technicians. 

In such a case, the clinic itself may not be even able to correctly answer your questions about the experience of each of their workers. And even if they tell you a number, it is more likely to be incorrect compared to a clinic which employs one doctor who has only 1 team that has been working with him ever since. 

That’s the risk, one needs to accept for getting a better hair transplant deal in Turkey.

How much risk you are willing to accept for a better price is up to you, but make sure you do a proper research, measure twice but cut only once! 

 

Now you can also get in touch with me!

  • Not sure about a particular clinic?
  • Indecisive between several clinics?
  • Not sure if you are a good hair transplant candidate?
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the big 3 of hair loss

The Big 3 of Hair Loss Prevention

Leave a Comment / Finasteride, Hair Loss Prevention, Minoxidil / By

The Big 3 of Hair Loss Prevention

written by Matt Dominance

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If you are new to my website, make sure you read Medical Disclaimer before you continue reading this article.

3 Simple Steps to Prevent Early Balding

In this short post you will find out what are the 3 best anti hair loss treatments you can start using once you notice the first signs of male pattern baldness!

These treatments have been selected based on:

  • Their proven effectiveness in multiple clinical studies 
  • Friendly cost of a monthly supply 
  • Treatments are easy to stick to

1. Ketoconazole Shampoo

Ketoconazole shampoo is known for providing extra protection against dandruff, which could be responsible for scalp inflammation and additional hair loss. Ketoconazole could benefit not only to kill dandruff but potentially block DHT topically and thus slow down the hair miniaturization. 

The shampoo with Ketoconazole I use is the Revita Shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole in it. I’ve been using it successfully for more than 2 years by now. 

I have been noticing reduced hair loss several days after shampooing. My daily shedding tends to increase a little, if I don´t apply Ketoconazole shampoo for more than 5 days.

Ketoconazole seems to improve the proportion of anagen hair follicles, fights seborrheic dermatitis and promotes hair thickening.

2. Minoxidil 5% and Derma Roller

Minoxidil is a hair stimulant which supposedly works by opening potassium channels via topical application on the scalp. This treatment is FDA approved and for it to be successful, patients have to apply it consistently at least once a day on a dry scalp. 

This medication also prolongs the anagen (growing) phase of the hair follicle and delays the hair shedding. It also comes with initial shedding stage (first 1-3 month of using Minoxidil).

Minoxidil – induced shedding is completely normal and it is a sign that this medication is working.

In case you want to try another hair stimulant which comes without the initial hair shedding, you can check out my article about Stemoxydine and how it compares to Minoxidil.

Derma-rolling is another great tool to have in your hair loss prevention toolkit. Regular use of the derma roller or derma pen has been shown to boost the absorption of Minoxidil 5% and thus increase the hair regrowth potential of Minoxidil treatment.

If you decide to combine these two together, make sure you don’t apply Minoxidil product on the scalp earlier than 24 hours after your derma rolling session.

In this article I explain how I practice derma rolling as well as its additional benefits compared to using Minoxidil alone.

3. Finasteride

Please consult your doctor before taking Finasteride/Propecia as it requires prescription!

Finasteride is the 2nd FDA approved medication next to Minoxidil with only one difference – it requires a prescription from a doctor (dermatologist, or a hair transplant doctor). Side effects from Finasteride incl. decreased libido, erectile dysfunction or depression are linked to inhibition of 5 – alpha – reductase.

Inhibition of 5AR enzyme is the main mechanism of action by Finasteride. It’s the reason why this drug can successfully prevent hair loss. 5 AR converts Testosterone into more potent Dihydrotestosterone DHT and thus acts as a precursor of male pattern hair loss by genetically predisposed individuals.

This drug has to be taken orally once per day. Usually 1mg is the standardized dose prescribed by doctors. 

However you can also take anywhere from 0.25mg to 1mg to successfully block the DHT on the scalp.

Taking 1mg is recommended to achieve a faster Finasteride accumulation in the scalp tissue and thus faster hair loss prevention.

Here you can check out my experience with Finasteride and results after 1 year of use!

Are you interested in a hair transplant but don´t know where to start?

Minoxidil vs Stemoxydine for hair growth

Minoxidil and Stemoxydine for Hair Growth

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Minoxidil and Stemoxydine for Hair Growth

Minoxidil vs Stemoxydine for hair growth

written by Matt Dominance

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If you are new to my website, make sure you read Medical Disclaimer before you continue reading this article.

Commonalities of Stemoxydine 5% and Minoxidil 5%

  • Availability over-the-counter in most countries
  • Hair growth stimulants 
  • Don´t affect hormones e.g DHT, Testosterone or enzymes (5-alpha reductase)
  • Affect hair follicle growth cycle 
  • Only effective as long as you use them continuously 
  • Mechanism of hair growth stimulation is likely to be more complex and hasn´t been fully established yet
Minoxidil vs Stemoxydine for hair growth

How Stemoxydine is different from Minoxidil?

stemoxydine
  • Doesn´t come in a foam version (liquid only)
  • Available as Serioxyl (Loreal) or Cerafill
  • Comes in a 90ml bottle
  • 3-month supply is slightly more expensive than 3-month supply of Minoxidil
  • Shortens the Kenogen phase (phase of inactivity between the old Telogen and new Anagen hair follicle phase)
  • Doesn´t affect the Anagen phase at all
  • Not FDA approved for treating androgenetic alopecia
  • Patented and developed by Loreal
  • Most of the clinical data on Stemoxydine comes from Loreal (company bias)
  • Dries quicker than liquid Minoxidil
  • Grows less hair than Minoxidil (less effective)
  • Side effect profile is milder compared to Minoxidil
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How Minoxidil is different from Stemoxydine?

Minoxidil 5% from Kirkland
  • Comes in liquid and foam version
  • Available by dozens of brands (due to expired patent)
  • Comes in a 60ml bottle
  • 3-month supply is cheaper than 3-month supply of Stemoxydine 
  • Prolongs the Anagen phase and shortens Telogen phase
  • Causes premature shock loss (during the first months of use)
  • Clinical data on Minoxidil comes from various sources (low company bias)
  • FDA approved for treating androgenetic alopecia
  • The liquid version takes longer to dry compared to Stemoxydine
  • Grows more hair than Stemoxydine (more effective)
  • Side effect profile of Minoxidil can be higher as it is known for being an anti-hypertensive vasodilator (in its oral form e.g Loniten)
  • Minoxidil tends to irritate the scalp more compared to Stemoxydine, because of Propylene Glycol 
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Hair Follicle Growth Phase

Below you can see the different mechanisms of actions between Minoxidil and Stemoxydine.

Minoxidil vs Stemoxydine Hair Growth Cycle

Minoxidil helps the hair follicle to stay in the Anagen (growing) phase while Stemoxydine helps it to return back to the Anagen phase after Telogen phase has been completed.

Telogen phase can never be avoided and belongs to a natural regeneration process of the hair follicle.

Patients with androgenetic alopecia may have suboptimal hair follicle growth cycle.

It means that hair follicles may not always pass to the Anagen phase right after the Telogen phase has been completed.

As a result of that, the hair follicle can get stuck in the Kenogen phase and its return to the Anagen phase may be delayed.

Kenogen phase can be further divided into Exogen, when the hair falls out, and Neogen, when the new hair and follicle are developing.

Conclusion

Minoxidil and Stemoxydine are both topical stimulants for more hair growth.

Their efficacy will depend on the stage and severity of patient´s hair loss.

They should be seen as complements. By using both patients can achieve synergistic effects.

Minoxidil is superior to Stemoxydine in terms of efficacy and scientific evidence.

Stemoxydine and Minoxidil can be purchased as over-the-counter medications and cost about the same. 

Minoxidil is FDA approved for treating hair loss while Stemoxydine is not.

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