For patients in South Africa

Eyebrow transplant in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

An eyebrow transplant moves hair follicles from a donor area into thin, sparse or missing parts of the eyebrows, aiming for fuller, natural-looking brows that suit your face. Unlike make-up or microblading, it uses your own hair. That also means the brows behave like the hair they came from, which is worth understanding before you book. This page complements our South African hair transplant guide.

Why the cause matters

Brows thin for different reasons. Overplucking and scarring are local problems a transplant may help with, but brow loss linked to a medical condition may need that condition investigated first, and in some cases transplanted hair may not hold. The clinician reviews your brows, donor area, medical history and photographs before confirming that a transplant is suitable. If it is not, you should be told honestly.

What it involves

After health checks, blood tests and a face-to-face meeting with the surgeon, follicles are placed one by one along the brow line, following the angle and direction in which brow hair naturally lies. The shape is planned around your face. The procedure usually takes around five to six hours.

Transplanted hairs usually come from the scalp and keep growing like scalp hair, so most people need to trim their new brows regularly. Ask the clinician how this applies to your plan.

Who it may suit

• People with thin, sparse, uneven or overplucked eyebrows
• People with gaps in the brows from scarring
• People with enough healthy donor hair
• Non-smokers, or people able to stop before surgery
• People with realistic expectations of shape, density and timing

The trip from South Africa

From Johannesburg or Cape Town, a direct flight to Istanbul takes around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir, where treatment takes place. South Africans need an e-Visa before travelling; our e-Visa guide explains how to apply.

Most patients are cleared to fly after two to three days, subject to the surgeon’s approval; book a return ticket you can change. In the first days, avoid touching or washing the brows unless the surgeon tells you otherwise, and avoid rubbing your face on the flight.

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic hair procedures abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad. Check both before you book.

Recovery and results

Mild redness, swelling and small scabs are normal at first, and most scabs fall away within the first week. The transplanted hairs usually shed in weeks two to eight. New growth begins from around three to four months, and the full result is usually visible after 12 to 18 months. Protect the area from strong sun as instructed, and ask when make-up and sunscreen can be used. Turkey is one hour ahead of South Africa, so follow-up by photograph is easy.

Risks include swelling, redness, temporary numbness, scabbing, itching, minor bleeding, infection, folliculitis and uneven growth, and some grafts may not survive. Our treatment guarantee covers medical complications and clinically necessary revisions for one year from the treatment date; that treatment is done in İzmir at no charge, but flights and accommodation are your own cost. It does not cover a preference for a different look within what was discussed. Our complaints page explains how problems are handled.

What we will not do

We will not promise a particular brow shape or density, or proceed if the cause of your brow loss makes a transplant unsuitable. Our main eyebrow transplant page has more detail. If you are also considering lashes, see our eyelash transplant page.

Frequently asked questions

Will transplanted eyebrows need trimming?

Usually, yes. The hairs normally come from the scalp and keep growing like scalp hair, so most people trim their new brows regularly.

Is an eyebrow transplant better than microblading?

They do different things. Microblading is a cosmetic tattoo that fades, while a transplant uses your own hair follicles. A transplant is surgery, with its own risks and recovery, and is not right for everyone.

How long do I need to stay in Turkey for an eyebrow transplant?

Most patients are cleared to fly home after two to three days, subject to the surgeon’s approval. Allow for health checks and a surgeon meeting on arrival.

When will I see the result of an eyebrow transplant?

Transplanted hairs usually shed in the first weeks. New growth begins from around three to four months, and the full result is usually visible after 12 to 18 months.

Will my medical aid cover an eyebrow transplant?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic procedures like this, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad. Ask both before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.