What Is FUE Hair Transplant?
FUE hair transplant (Follicular Unit Extraction) is the world's most advanced and widely performed hair restoration technique. Individual follicular units — each containing 1–4 hairs — are extracted one by one from the donor area (typically the back and sides of the scalp) using a micro-punch tool, and implanted precisely into the recipient zone to reconstruct a natural-looking hairline and restore density.
At FitAndFit Clinic in Istanbul, our specialist hair restoration team performs FUE transplants with sapphire-tipped micro-punches and custom-designed hairlines tailored to each patient's facial structure, age, and donor reserve. We use no assembly-line approach — every procedure is personally supervised by an experienced hair transplant surgeon.
FUE vs. FUT (Strip): Why FUE?
- No linear scar: FUE leaves only tiny, dot-like scars in the donor area that are invisible even with a shaved head — unlike FUT which leaves a permanent linear scar across the back of the scalp.
- Faster recovery: Most FUE patients return to desk work within 3–5 days.
- Natural hairline design: Grafts are placed at precise angles and directions replicating natural growth patterns.
- Permanent results: Transplanted follicles are harvested from the DHT-resistant zone and retain their genetic resistance to hair loss after transplantation.
- Suitable for second sessions: If additional density is needed years later, the donor area can be re-used without a scar from a previous strip procedure limiting access.
How Many Grafts Do You Need?
The number of grafts required depends on the extent of hair loss, desired density, and available donor supply:
- Norwood 2–3 (early recession): 1,000–2,000 grafts
- Norwood 3–4 (moderate loss): 2,000–3,500 grafts
- Norwood 4–5 (significant loss): 3,500–5,000 grafts
- Norwood 5–7 (extensive loss): 5,000–8,000+ grafts (often in staged sessions)
FitAndFit Clinic offers a free online consultation with photo analysis to assess your Norwood classification and estimated graft requirement before you travel.
The Sapphire FUE Technique
At FitAndFit Clinic, recipient channels are created using sapphire blades rather than traditional steel slits. Sapphire's V-shaped blade creates smaller, more precise channels that minimise tissue trauma, reduce crust formation, and accelerate healing — contributing to higher graft survival rates (typically 95–98%).
Hair Transplant Results: Timeline
- Days 1–14: Grafts settle; scabbing forms and falls naturally
- Month 1–3: Shock loss — transplanted hairs shed (normal and expected)
- Month 3–6: New hair begins to grow
- Month 6–9: Significant visible improvement
- Month 12–18: Full result — dense, natural-looking permanent hair
Hair Transplant in Turkey: Istanbul's Global Leadership
Turkey — and Istanbul specifically — performs more hair transplants than any other country in the world, attracting over 500,000 international patients annually. FitAndFit Clinic represents the premium end of this market: JCI-accredited facilities, surgeon-led (not technician-led) procedures, transparent pricing, and aftercare support that extends well beyond your clinic visit.