The Treatment Journey
At Beg Hair Clinic, the hair transplant process isn't a single moment of surgery; it's a six-step journey that begins with a pre-assessment and is completed with 12 months of follow-up. Each step builds on the measurements of the one before it: donor analysis shapes the plan, the plan shapes the design, and the design determines the order of harvesting and placement. Every one of these steps is shaped around the patient's donor capacity and extent of hair loss. Below you'll find how these six steps unfold at the clinic in Istanbul and during the follow-up period afterward.
Assessment
The process begins with a detailed examination of the donor area and the extent of hair loss. Follicular density, hair shaft thickness, and scalp elasticity in the back and sides are assessed, and the loss pattern is classified using the Norwood or Ludwig scale. The patient's general health, chronic condition history, and any current medications are also reviewed at this stage. These measurements form the core data that determines how many grafts can be harvested and which technique fits — every step that follows is built on this analysis.
Hairline design
Once the donor analysis is complete, the hairline and overall density distribution are designed. Facial structure, forehead shape, and age are taken into account to determine the shape and symmetry of the hairline; the patient sees the design before surgery and can give feedback. Prioritizing graft distribution between the front area, the crown, and any areas needing added density is also settled at this stage. The design is built on a realistic goal that matches donor capacity, and is carried into surgery day as a finalized plan.
Donor harvesting
After local anesthesia, follicular units are removed one by one from the donor area. Harvesting speed and method can vary depending on the technique chosen (classic punch, motorized/assisted system), but the goal stays the same: collecting the follicles in their natural groupings, with minimal damage, and leaving an even distribution across the donor area. The harvested grafts are counted, sorted, and stored in a suitable solution to keep time outside the body short. This step largely determines how long the overall surgery takes.
Channels
In the recipient area, channels are opened according to the designed hairline and target density. Depending on the tip used (steel, sapphire crystal, or a direct implanter pen in DHI), channel size, angle, and tissue impact vary; angle and depth are adjusted area by area to mimic the natural direction of growth. Placement is denser and finer in the front area, while coverage takes priority in broader areas like the crown. This step largely determines how natural the visible result of the transplant will look.
Implantation
The harvested follicles are placed into the opened channels one by one, using forceps or an implanter pen. Each graft is placed at an angle consistent with the direction of the surrounding hair and at a density matching the plan; the process can take several hours depending on graft count. Keeping the time follicles spend outside the body short during placement matters for their survival. Once placement is complete, the area is cleaned, a light dressing is applied, and the patient receives initial aftercare instructions.
Follow-up
The process doesn't end with surgery day; results take shape over months. The first week involves scabbing and the first wash protocol; around the first month, shock loss — an expected stage — can occur; from the third month on, fine, sparse new growth begins. By month six, thickening becomes noticeable. The patient is followed throughout this period through regular photo updates or in-person check-ins; by month 12, results have largely matured, and the final assessment takes place around this point.