Building Back Confidence: A 20-Year Wait Ends in Istanbul

 A 3500 grafts Hair Transplant Journey: For Mike Brown, a 67-year-old retired corporate mason from Bristol, the foundation of a good life was built on hard work and solid structures. But for two decades, Mike felt a structure closer to home—his hairline—was crumbling.

“I started noticing the thinning in my early 40s,” Mike recalls. “It wasn’t a big deal then, but over the years, the temples receded faster and faster. By the time I retired, it was acute. I’d look in the mirror and see an older version of myself than I felt inside.”

For years, Mike had passively accepted his fate. But after retiring, the thought of enjoying his golden years with renewed confidence became an obsession. He finally decided it was time to build a better future, starting with his hair.

The Research: Finding the Best Hair Transplant in Turkey

Mike knew that the most advanced and cost-effective solutions were to be found overseas. He had heard whispers and read stories about the exceptional quality and results achieved in Turkey.

“I spent months researching, looking at thousands of hair transplant before and after photos. I wasn’t just looking for “good”—I was looking for “the best”. The name that kept coming up, time and time again, with consistently excellent results and medical pedigree, was Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic.”

Comparing the UK options with the comprehensive packages and specialist expertise in Istanbul sealed the deal. When factoring in the high-quality care, world-class facilities, and competitive Turkey hair transplant cost, the decision was clear. Mike booked his consultation and flights, ready for his life-changing journey.

The Istanbul Experience: Travel and Pre-Procedure Steps

Mike’s journey from Bristol to Istanbul was seamless, thanks to the clinic’s dedicated patient coordination team. The entire experience was planned meticulously, allowing Mike to focus on the excitement of the procedure rather than the logistics.

• Initial Travel: Flew from Bristol to Istanbul (booked by himself).
• VIP Transfer: Met at the airport by a private driver and transferred directly to his hotel.
• First Consultation: The following morning, Mike visited the clinic. He met with the medical team to finalise the design of his new hairline, focusing on the temples and frontal area.
• Blood Tests: Comprehensive tests were conducted to ensure he was medically fit for the procedure.

Mike describes the atmosphere as “calm and professional. They explained everything clearly. I felt completely safe and prepared.”

Mike’s Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It’s completely normal to have questions before undergoing a hair transplant. Mike, like many patients, had several key concerns about the procedure and the results. Here are three crucial questions he asked the Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic team:

Will the new hair look natural at my age, especially in the temples?

Absolutely. Achieving a natural look is the highest priority. For a gentleman of your age, we focus on designing a mature, age-appropriate hairline that suits your facial structure. Crucially, we are using the DHI technique. DHI allows us to control the angle (10 to 45 degrees), depth, and direction of every single graft with extreme precision. This control ensures the newly transplanted hair will grow out following the same natural pattern and flow as your existing hair, resulting in an undetectable, organic appearance.

How long will the recovery and downtime be, considering I’m 67?

Due to the advanced nature of the DHI procedure, downtime is minimal regardless of age, as it is less invasive than traditional methods. Since the channels are not pre-opened (like in FUE), there is less trauma to the scalp.

• Day 1-3: You will need rest and care.
• Day 4-10: The initial washing process starts, and you will begin feeling comfortable being seen in public with the small scabs.
• After 14 days: You can typically return to your normal, non-strenuous daily activities. Full physical recovery of the scalp is fast. However, we do recommend avoiding heavy exercise and sun exposure for the first month to ensure the best possible graft survival.

I heard about the ‘shock loss’ phase—will I lose all my new hair?

Shock loss is a completely normal and temporary part of the process, which usually occurs between the 3rd and 6th week. The term refers to the shaft of the newly transplanted hair shedding. This happens because the follicle (the root) has entered a resting phase due to the trauma of the transplant. The follicle itself remains firmly in place. Once the resting phase is over, around month 4 the follicle will begin to produce permanent, healthy hair again. This is a sign that your body is moving into the final growth phase, and it is a necessary step toward your incredible hair transplant before and after result.

The DHI Difference: Mike’s Procedure

Mike underwent the Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) technique, a cutting-edge method known for its precision, minimal invasiveness, and ability to create incredibly natural density.

Key Procedure Details

The Step-by-Step DHI Procedure

1. Preparation: The donor area was shaved, and local anaesthesia was administered—a tiny sting, followed by total numbness.
2. Extraction: Using a micro-motor and specialised punch tool, 3,500 individual hair follicles (grafts) were carefully extracted from the dense, permanent area at the back of Mike’s head.
3. Implantation with Choi Pens: The extracted grafts were immediately loaded into Choi Implanter Pens.
4. Simultaneous Slitting & Planting: The surgeon used the pen to create the recipient site and simultaneously implant the graft at the correct depth, angle (crucial for a natural look), and direction. This meticulous process ensures minimal trauma and maximum survival rate of the grafts.

The procedure took several hours, but Mike was comfortable, listening to music and chatting occasionally with the medical team. “The skill was unbelievable,” Mike notes. “It was like watching artists at work.”

The Road to Regrowth: A 1-Year Progress Track

After the procedure, Mike received post-operative care instructions, the necessary medications, and was prescribed a healing shampoo. His first few weeks involved careful cleaning and avoiding strenuous activity.

Healing and Progress Milestones

• Day 10: The scabs completely fell away. The transplanted area was pink, but the immediate, rough shape of the new hairline was visible.
• Week 3-6 (The “Shedding Phase”): As expected, Mike experienced ‘shock loss’ where the transplanted hairs fell out. “This is the hardest part mentally, but I knew it was normal,” he says.
• Month 4: The first sign of life! Tiny, fine hairs began to emerge. This is where the true growth phase begins.
• Month 6: Significant density improvement. The new hair was thicker and more established, covering the previously bare temples.
• Month 8-10: Mike was styling his hair! The quality and thickness had improved dramatically. The front hairline and temples looked full and incredibly natural.
• The 1-Year Mark (The Final Result): “It’s better than I could have imagined,” beams Mike. His receding temples are completely restored, blending seamlessly with his existing hair. “It has genuinely knocked years off me and given me a confidence boost I haven’t had since my 40s.”

Mike’s journey is a powerful testament to the skill and expertise at Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic. At 67, he didn’t just regain his hair; he regained a part of his identity. If you’re considering a high-quality procedure and wondering about the affordability of the Turkey hair transplant cost. Mike’s successful hair transplant before and after story shows the incredible value and results awaiting you in Istanbul.