Hair transplant in Istanbul · Day 1 of 10
Day 1 after a hair transplant in Istanbul
Most clinics see you the morning after for a check and the first wash, done by the clinic team. Grafts are at their most fragile today. Keep it short: a slow walk near the hotel and one indoor sight by taxi is plenty.
Today's rules
Sun on the scalp
Keep the grafted area completely out of direct sun. Use shade, indoor sights and an umbrella. Most clinics say no hat on the grafts in the first days.
Source: Smile Hair Clinic, Istanbul · Bernstein Medical
Swimming, sea and pools
No swimming of any kind. Clinic guidance ranges from 2 weeks to a month or more; the Istanbul clinic guide cited here says no swimming in the first month.
Source: Smile Hair Clinic, Istanbul · Bernstein Medical
Sweating and exercise
No exercise and nothing that makes you sweat. Short, slow walks only. Avoid bending far forward or lifting.
Source: Smile Hair Clinic, Istanbul · Bernstein Medical · NHS
Hammam, sauna and steam
Off limits. Heat and humidity soften crusts and stress the grafts. The clinic guide cited here says no sauna, steam room or hot bath for the first month.
Source: Smile Hair Clinic, Istanbul
Hats, helmets and caps
Nothing pressing on the grafts: no caps, beanies, helmets or swim caps.
Source: Bernstein Medical · Smile Hair Clinic, Istanbul
Crowds and head contact
Avoid dense crowds, low doorways and packed trams where something could knock or brush the grafts.
Source: Bernstein Medical
Smoking and nargile
No smoking for two weeks after the procedure, and better not at all. That includes nargile cafés.
Source: Bernstein Medical
Flying home
Clinic sheets allow travel and flying from around days 2 to 3. Take a neck pillow so the donor area is not pressed against the headrest, walk the aisle and drink water on long flights.
Source: Bernstein Medical · NHS
Confirm with your surgeon. These are general activity limits from published aftercare guidance. Your clinic's written instructions always come first, and they may be stricter or looser for your procedure.
4 things you can do today
Bosphorus dinner cruise with show
An evening of seated dinner, folk dance and city lights from the water. Drinks are optional; you can ask for soft drinks only.
Seated, indoors, about 3 hours
Pierre Loti cable car and tea garden
A short cable car up to a shaded hilltop tea garden over the Golden Horn. Sit and watch the boats.
Seated, shaded or covered, about 1.5 hours
Istanbul Modern and the Karaköy waterfront
Turkish modern art in a cool, airy building on the water, with a café looking at the old city.
Gentle walking, indoors, about 2 hours
Bosphorus sightseeing cruise
Two hours on the water past palaces, mansions and both bridges. Pick a seat in the covered cabin or the shaded side of the deck.
Seated, shaded or covered, about 2 hours
Also fine today: Pera Museum · Whirling dervish ceremony · Public ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy · Istanbul Archaeology Museums · Turkish cooking class
2 things to skip today
Hagia Sophia
Why not: Too long in direct sun for this stage. Dense crowds where you could be knocked.
Usually fine from day 7.
Guided food tour with ferry ride
Why not: Too much walking and effort for this stage. Too long in direct sun for this stage. Dense crowds where you could be knocked.
Usually fine from day 7.
Where to eat today
- Kebab and lahmacun. Adana kebab, lahmacun and pide in Fatih or Kadıköy. Spicy and chewy.
- Balık ekmek at Eminönü. Grilled fish in crusty bread from the boats by the Galata Bridge.
- Simit from a street cart. The sesame bread ring Istanbul runs on. Crunchy.
Put every day of this guide in your calendar, with your dates