Hair transplant procedures are sometimes touted as minimally invasive and largely painless. The expertise or “remedy” has been round in India for a while now, however a string of current instances has uncovered the cracks within the nation’s booming but dangerously under-regulated hair transplant trade.
Inside 24 hours of present process a hair transplant at a non-public clinic in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, two engineers misplaced their lives. The physician disappeared, and the clinic was sealed. In one other case, two males reportedly died after a dentist – sure, a dentist – carried out the process. A separate incident in Kerala left a affected person with necrotizing fasciitis, a uncommon flesh-eating bacterial an infection, following surgical procedure allegedly carried out by somebody with a pretend medical diploma.
Amid rising experiences of botched surgical procedures, rising medical tourism, and mounting social media stress, extra Indians are flying to Turkey, the unofficial international capital of hair restoration, for transplants that promise natural-looking outcomes, typically at decrease prices. That’s additionally how the viral “Turkish Hairlines” meme was born: a video displaying a aircraft stuffed with bald males en path to Istanbul, all in the hunt for hair and hope.
Indianexpress.com spoke to trade consultants to grasp what’s driving this development and the way Turkey turned the worldwide epicenter of this follicular phenomenon.
The affect of picture
In response to Dr Katheeja Nasika, marketing consultant within the division of dermatology at Rela Hospital, Chennai, the push for good hairlines is pushed by a mixture of peer stress, the impression of influencer advertising and marketing, and societal expectations, particularly amongst males prepping for marriage or public life.
Dr Veena Praveen, head dermatologist (South), Kaya Restricted, agreed however attributed the rising reputation to technological developments and an increase in consciousness. “Individuals need long-term, natural-looking options. For a lot of, it’s not about bettering look alone; it’s about regaining confidence,” she stated.
Social media and celeb endorsements have additionally considerably contributed to creating hair restoration extra accessible and extensively accepted.
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Shradha Rajani Mordani, CEO of Tejco International LLP, stated that the hair transplant trade is ready to blow up – from USD 7.3 billion in 2025 to USD 49.9 billion by 2035, rising at a CAGR of 20 per cent. “On the coronary heart of this surge is the brand new buzzword – precision expertise – delivering perfected hairlines the place science meets type and confidence,” she stated.
Mordani believes that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated self-image anxieties. “Video calls made individuals hyper-aware of their look. Mix that with a rising acceptance of grooming amongst males, and we noticed a pointy rise in demand for aesthetic procedures,” she stated.
And it’s not simply hair. From micro needling to laser hair elimination and PRP remedy, Indians are embracing beauty enhancement, however not at all times safely, stated Dr Praveen.
Why Turkey takes the cake
Turkey presents superior strategies like Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), expert practitioners, and all-inclusive packages – flight, keep, surgical procedure, restoration – at aggressive costs, stated Dr Nasika.
Dr Praveen stated, “The nation has constructed a formidable popularity for hair restoration, combining medical excellence with cost-effective providers.”
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“Turkey additionally has a bunch of skilled professionals and licensed packages, which curiosity kids to pursue hair transplantation programs,” Dr Nasika stated, mentioning that whereas India has inexpensive transplant choices, “the variety of well-trained, moral practitioners right here is way fewer than in Turkey.”
That’s the reason Aditya Awasthee, a non-public investor and realtor with the Nexus Group, had been exploring the thought of getting a hair transplant and after consulting a number of cosmetologists and vogue trade consultants, zeroed in on Turkey as the most suitable choice — even when not probably the most cost-efficient one.
“Turkey additionally has some internationally skilled medical doctors and makes use of trendy strategies like FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and DHI (Direct Hair Implantation). It’s extra like medical tourism, with a deal with hair restoration,” stated Awasthee. His analysis led him in direction of “extremely acclaimed and established clinics providing packages that embody airport transfers, resort keep for 3–4 nights, translator providers in addition to remedy and an aftercare equipment.”
Having discovered about promising outcomes and sustainable outcomes, Awasthee derived that Turkey has the very best success charge. “Usually, Istanbul and different cities have a popularity for delivering natural-looking outcomes,” he stated, revealing that to be his major objective.
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In response to him, the cherry on the cake is that “Turkey additionally permits combining remedy with a trip — which permits to discover Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya earlier than or after the surgical procedure.”
Right here’s why Indian males are going to Turkey for hair restoration. (Supply: Freepik)
What you must take into accout
Dr Nasika urged individuals to verify if the physician is licensed and the clinic or hospital has a commendable popularity earlier than getting the process performed. “In response to the Nationwide Medical Fee (NMC), solely plastic surgeons or dermatologists are authorised to carry out hair transplants in India,” she stated.
Cash can be an necessary issue to think about. “An inexpensive repair might result in issues that value way more to deal with later,” Dr Nasika stated.
Can India catch up?
Consultants say sure, however not with out reforms.
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Whereas Turkey is an interesting choice, India additionally has a wealthy medical heritage and boasts world-class dermatologists and hair restoration consultants. “India already has world-class medical doctors and infrastructure,” stated Dr Praveen. “However the focus now must be on clear practices, credible affected person testimonials, aggressive pricing, and the very best customary of post-op care. That’s how belief is constructed,” she stated.
Mordani, too, stated that Indian cosmetology is quickly evolving and making it huge. “Millennials and Gen Z are pushing the demand. Excessive-quality hair transplant devices and gadgets, leading to ‘actual no-downtime’ outcomes, are paving the best way for a rising worldwide doctor-clientele base adopting our expertise, bringing India on the worldwide footprint for hair restoration,” she stated.
In response to Mordani, India’s aesthetic trade is poised to guide globally by collaborating with worldwide consultants. With these developments, Indian clinics can supply world-class remedies whereas assembly the rising demand for efficient and accessible aesthetic options.