When I started researching hair transplants in Turkey, I had no idea how overwhelming it would be. Between the countless clinics, flashy marketing, and mixed reviews, I spent nearly six months trying to figure out who I could genuinely trust. I spoke to past patients, compared medical standards, and even contacted clinics directly before making my choice.
In the end, I went with Clinicana Hair Transplant & Esthetic Surgeries — and I’m so glad I did. But I also learned a lot from comparing two other big names: Elithair and Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic. In this honest review, I’ll walk you through my research, what stood out about each clinic, and why I ultimately chose Clinicana. If you’re thinking about getting your own transplant, this should give you a balanced, real-world perspective — not marketing fluff.
How I Researched The Best Hair Transplant Clinics In Turkey
Like most people, I began my search late at night on Google and YouTube. I compared more than 15 Turkish clinics, looking closely at four main areas:
- Safety & Accreditation – Was the clinic medically regulated, ideally operating inside a hospital?
- Transparency – Were the prices clear, and did they include everything (hotel, transfers, aftercare)?
- Surgeon Involvement – Was the doctor actively designing and overseeing the transplant?
- Aftercare – Would they provide ongoing support, or was it “done and dusted” after surgery?
Each of the three clinics I’ll discuss ticked several of those boxes. But only one gave me complete peace of mind before, during, and after the procedure.

Before we dive in, if you’re still in the research phase, I strongly recommend reading my free guide, “8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Booking My Hair Transplant in Turkey”. It covers practical lessons that could save you months of confusion and hundreds of pounds in mistakes.
Clinicana – My Personal Choice and Why I’d Choose Them Again
After months of research, Clinicana Hair Transplant & Esthetic Surgeries, based inside Acıbadem Taksim Hospital in Istanbul, came out on top for me. I wanted a clinic that felt professional and accountable — not just glossy.
Before the procedure:
What immediately impressed me was their medical setting. Clinicana isn’t a standalone clinic; it operates within a fully licensed private hospital, regulated by the Turkish Ministry of Health and ISO 9001 certified. For me, that meant a higher level of safety and hygiene. The booking process was simple — they provided a flat fee (€2,850 at the time) covering everything: transfers, hotel, procedure, and aftercare.
During the transplant:
On the day, everything ran like clockwork. My surgeon spent time designing the new hairline and explaining the graft distribution. The seven-hour FUE procedure went smoothly, with breaks and a supportive medical team throughout. According to the Mayo Clinic, most modern FUE transplants result in 10–80% regrowth within 3–4 months — my own recovery followed that pattern perfectly.
Aftercare & recovery:
This is where Clinicana really stood out. They included post-op washing instructions, medical products, and follow-ups at 1, 3, and 6 months. I could message the team on WhatsApp anytime for reassurance. By month seven, my new hairline looked dense and natural.

From a medical and patient experience standpoint, Clinicana felt like the complete package — transparent pricing, real aftercare, and hospital-level professionalism. If I had to do it all again, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose them.
For much more information about Clinicana check out my full Clinicana review here.
Next, let’s look at one of the biggest names in Turkish hair restoration: Elithair.
Elithair – Impressive Technology, But Lacked Personal Touch
When I started my research, Elithair appeared everywhere. They market themselves as “Istanbul’s premier hair loss clinic,” and to be fair, they’ve earned that reputation. Their enormous 13-floor facility, proprietary NEO FUE® prep system, and hybrid SDHI® method make them one of the most advanced setups in Europe.
Before the procedure:
Elithair’s all-inclusive packages look appealing, including hotel stays, transfers, and aftercare products. Their “Sleep-Deep” anesthesia system also sounded good for anyone nervous about discomfort. However, their per-graft pricing model — around £2,850 for 2,000 grafts and £3,450+ for 5,000 — made me cautious. I preferred Clinicana’s single flat fee that covered up to 5,000 grafts, avoiding hidden costs.
During the transplant:
Reviews were strong (4.7–4.8 stars on Google and ProvenExpert), and the clinic’s facilities are undeniably high-end. Yet, many former patients described it as a “high-volume” operation. While efficiency isn’t bad, I wanted a more personalized experience and clear surgeon oversight.
Aftercare & results:
Elithair claims a 98% graft survival rate, but I couldn’t find independent, peer-reviewed data to confirm that. While many patients report good outcomes, the clinic’s scale and pricing model made it feel more like a corporate setup than a patient-first environment.
So, while I have no doubt Elithair delivers solid results for many, the balance of value, transparency, and personal care led me toward Clinicana instead.
Now let’s look at another well-known clinic that almost made my shortlist — Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic.
Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic – Prestigious, Experienced, but Not Perfect for Everyone
Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic is one of Turkey’s most recognized names in hair restoration. Dr. Aygin himself is a dermatologist with over 25 years of experience and international awards, including the 2019 European Award in Medicine for Hair Transplant Surgery. His clinic has been featured in outlets like The Independent and CBS News.
Before the procedure:
The clinic specializes exclusively in hair and scalp treatments, offering Sapphire FUE and DHI techniques. Prices start around €3,000, with hotel and transfers included. However, what stopped me was a lack of clarity on how many grafts were guaranteed within that fee. For someone like me who values transparency, this was a red flag.
During the transplant:
Most patients describe the experience as professional, with stylish surroundings and modern equipment. Reviews average 4.7 stars on Trustpilot, and many share great results. But there were occasional reports — particularly on RealSelf and Reddit — of limited surgeon involvement during the operation, which made me question consistency.
Aftercare & long-term support:
Some reviews mentioned difficulty reaching the clinic post-surgery for follow-up queries. While that might not reflect every patient’s experience, aftercare was one of my top priorities, and Clinicana offered more structure and accountability in that area.
Ultimately, Dr. Aygin’s clinic is reputable, with excellent credentials and results, but it didn’t offer the written graft guarantee and detailed follow-up I wanted.
Comparing the Three Clinics Head-to-Head
| Clinic | Pricing Model | Environment | Key Techniques | Guarantee | Surgeon Involvement | Aftercare Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinicana | Flat €1,800–2,850 | Hospital-based (Acıbadem Taksim) | FUE, DHI | ✅ Written graft guarantee | High | 1, 3, and 6-month follow-ups | Medical professionalism & peace of mind |
| Elithair | Per graft £2,850–3,450+ | 13-floor clinic | NEO FUE®, SDHI®, DHI | ❌ None independently verified | Moderate | Standard package | Technology & convenience |
| Dr Serkan Aygin | Flat €3,000+ | Premium standalone clinic | Sapphire FUE, DHI | ❌ None stated | Variable | Basic | Brand prestige & international visibility |
My Final Verdict – Why I’d Still Choose Clinicana
All three clinics are legitimate, professional, and well-reviewed. But when it came to trust, value, and genuine patient care, Clinicana offered the balance I needed. The fact they operate from a hospital environment, include a written graft-growth guarantee, and maintain strong English-speaking support gave me complete confidence from start to finish.
Nine months after my surgery, my results are natural, my confidence is back, and I finally understand why Turkey has become such a hub for medical tourism. If you’re still unsure where to start, take your time, do the research — and make sure aftercare and transparency are at the top of your checklist.
To see my full transformation, videos, and updates, you can join my free members area or grab my free guide, “8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Booking My Hair Transplant in Turkey”. It’ll walk you through everything I learned — including the mistakes I almost made — before finally getting my hair back.
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