Afro hair transplant · Istanbul
Afro Hair Transplant in Turkey
Short answer: afro-textured hair can be transplanted successfully, but tightly curled hair needs a different extraction strategy. The curl you see above the scalp does not always show the full path of the follicle beneath the skin, so careful donor assessment, adapted instruments and experience with curly follicular units matter.
- Technique
- DHI
- Hair types
- Afro, coily and curly
- Planning
- Individual donor assessment
- Clinic
- Şişli, Istanbul
Hair types
From straight to coily: how the follicle changes
Hair is often grouped into four types. The tighter the curl above the skin, the more the follicle beneath it tends to curve, and the more carefully each graft has to be extracted.
Why afro-textured hair needs a different approach
The hair you see above the scalp is only part of the story. Beneath the skin, each hair grows from a follicle, and in afro-textured hair that follicle can itself be curved, sometimes quite strongly.
During extraction, a small circular punch is used to free each follicular unit. If the punch follows a straight line while the follicle curves away from it, part of the follicle can be cut. This is called transection, and a transected graft may grow poorly or not at all.
The direction of the hair at the skin surface does not always show the full path of the follicle below it. Extraction planning for afro-textured hair should account for this.
Published research on extraction in tightly curled hair has reported higher transection rates with conventional punches in some patients, and better results with instruments designed for curved follicles.1
Density and coverage
Fewer hairs, more coverage
Research comparing hair across groups has found that afro-textured hair tends to have fewer hairs per square centimetre, while its tight curl spreads over more of the scalp.2 This is one reason careful graft placement can create a full look in afro-textured hair.
| Factor | Straight hair | Afro-textured hair |
|---|---|---|
| Follicle shape beneath the skin | Usually straight | Often curved, sometimes strongly |
| Extraction | Standard planning | Adapted to the curve, often with test extractions |
| Procedure time | Typical | Can take longer |
| Coverage from each graft | Narrower | Wider, because the curl spreads over the scalp |
| Keloid history check | Recommended | Especially important |
| Hairline design | Varies by face shape | Often softer curves and defined temple points |
The hair cycle
Why transplanted hair sheds before it grows
Every hair follicle moves through a cycle of growing, transition and rest. After a transplant, many grafts enter the resting phase, so the hairs shed in the first weeks. The follicle stays in place beneath the skin and starts a new growth phase about three months later.
- Anagen · Growth phaseLasts about 2 to 7 years · about 86% of hairs
- Catagen · Transition phaseLasts about 2 to 3 weeks · about 1% of hairs
- Telogen · Resting phaseLasts about 3 months · about 13% of hairs
Recovery and results
- Days 1–10Small crusts form and usually fall away with gentle washing.
- Weeks 2–6Most transplanted hairs shed. This is a normal part of the hair cycle.
- Months 3–4New hair typically begins to grow.
- Months 12–18The final result is generally visible.
Transplanted hair generally keeps the characteristics of the donor follicle, so it grows back with your natural texture and curl.
DHI · step by step
How an afro hair transplant is planned
We perform DHI hair transplants. Every step is adapted to the curve of your follicles and the shape of your hairline.
- 1Online assessment
You send photos of your front, top, crown and donor area. A doctor reviews them before any plan is confirmed.
- 2Donor assessment
At the clinic, density, curl pattern and skin are examined, with test extractions where appropriate.
- 3Hairline design
The hairline is shaped to your features, including the softer curves and defined temple points often seen in afro hairlines.
- 4Careful extraction
Each graft is taken individually from the donor area, with the extraction adapted to the curve of the follicle.
- 5DHI implantation
Grafts are implanted with a pen-like implanter at a natural angle, direction and density.
Procedure day
What your procedure day looks like
Most procedures are completed in one day. For afro-textured hair, extraction often takes a larger share of the day because each curved follicle is freed with extra care.
Illustrative only. The length of each stage depends on the number of grafts and your hair type.
Who is a good candidate?
Before recommending treatment, the medical team typically assesses:
- Donor density: how many healthy follicular units are available, now and for the future.
- Curl pattern: how the follicles curve beneath the skin, which a small number of test extractions can help show.
- Skin characteristics: including any personal history of keloid or raised scarring.
- The area to restore: hairline, temples, crown or wider areas, and the grafts needed.
- The cause of hair loss: whether it is stable, including hair loss from tight hairstyles.
Hair loss stages
The Hamilton–Norwood scale
Doctors often describe male pattern hair loss with the Hamilton–Norwood scale, from stage I to stage VII. Female pattern hair loss is usually described with the Ludwig scale. Your stage, your donor capacity and your age all shape the treatment plan.
- Stage I Little or no recession
- Stage II Slight temple recession
- Stage III Deeper temple recession
- Stage IV Front and crown thinning
- Stage V Larger front and crown areas
- Stage VI Front and crown join
- Stage VII Hair remains at the sides and back
Simplified top view, front of the head at the top. For education only.
Hair loss from tight hairstyles
Long-term tension from braids, weaves, locs, extensions or tight ponytails can lead to traction alopecia, which often affects the hairline and temples. In its early stages, hair can recover once the tension stops. When the loss is long-standing and stable, a hair transplant may be an option.
Your doctor assesses whether the follicles can still recover on their own, and explains how to protect transplanted hair from tension in the future.
What does an afro hair transplant cost in Turkey?
The cost depends on the number of grafts you need, the time extraction takes for your hair type and the services included in your package. After a free online assessment, you receive a personal written quote.
FAQ
Afro hair transplant: common questions
Can afro hair be transplanted?
Yes. Afro-textured hair can be transplanted, but because the follicles can be curved beneath the skin, extraction needs careful, individual planning and an experienced team.
Which technique do you use for afro hair?
We perform DHI hair transplants. Each graft is taken individually from the donor area and implanted with a pen-like implanter. For afro-textured hair, the extraction step is the most delicate part, so it is planned around your individual curl pattern.
Does an afro hair transplant take longer?
It can. Extracting curved follicles carefully can take more time than extracting straight hair. Your treatment plan explains how long your procedure is expected to take.
Is there a risk of keloid scarring?
People with a personal or family history of keloid scars may have a higher risk. Please tell your doctor about any history of keloids or raised scars before treatment so this can be assessed carefully.
Can hair loss from tight hairstyles be treated?
Hair loss from long-term tension, known as traction alopecia, may be treatable with a transplant when it is long-standing and stable. Your doctor assesses whether the follicles can still recover on their own first.
Will transplanted hair keep my natural curl pattern?
Transplanted hair generally keeps the characteristics of the donor follicle it came from, so it grows with your natural texture. A natural look also depends on correct angle, direction and hairline design.
When will I see the final result?
New hair usually starts to grow after 3 to 4 months, and the final result is generally visible after 12 to 18 months.
References
- Umar S. Comparative study of a novel tool for follicular unit extraction for individuals with afro-textured hair. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2016.
- Loussouarn G. African hair growth parameters. British Journal of Dermatology. 2001.
Plan your afro hair transplant
Send us a few photos. Our team reviews your case and replies, usually within one business day.