Hair transplant in Istanbul · Day 4 of 10
Day 4 after a hair transplant in Istanbul
Swelling usually starts to ease. You can manage 2 to 3 hours of gentle sightseeing with breaks, in shade. Still nothing that makes you sweat.
Today's rules
Sun on the scalp
Still no direct sun on the scalp. If your clinic allows it, a loose, clean, wide hat that does not touch the grafts is fine for short spells outdoors.
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
Gentle walking with breaks. Clinics differ here: the Istanbul clinic guide says to avoid heavy sweating and heat for at least a month, while a US clinic sheet allows controlled exercise with the head held neutral from day 4. The NHS notes you may be told to cut down on exercise for the first month. Follow your own clinic.
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
Alcohol
The clinic sheet cited here allows alcohol again after three days. Keep it modest and ask your own clinic.
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
Topkapı Palace
Courtyards, the Harem and the treasury. Three hours of walking with long open-air stretches between buildings.
A few hours on foot with breaks, some open-air walking, about 3 hours
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
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
Dolmabahçe Palace
Guided rooms of chandeliers and staircases. Mostly indoors, but it is an hour or more on your feet.
A few hours on foot with breaks, indoors, about 2 hours
Also fine today: Istanbul Modern and the Karaköy waterfront · Pierre Loti cable car and tea garden · Whirling dervish ceremony · Public ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy · Turkish cooking class · Pera Museum · Istanbul Archaeology Museums
2 things to skip today
Grand Bazaar
Why not: Dense crowds where you could be knocked.
Usually fine from day 7.
Turkish hammam
Why not: It means steam, hot water or sauna heat.
Not during the 10 days this guide covers. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
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