Clinicana Review: My Honest 12-Month Turkish Hair Transplant Results

Hi, I’m Jonathan. In January 2025 I flew to Istanbul for a hair transplant at Clinicana Hair Transplant & Esthetic Surgeries, based inside Acıbadem Taksim Hospital. I’d put this off for years because, like many, I was overwhelmed by choice and unsure who to trust.

That’s why I started HairTransplantTurkey.Guide — a free site where I share my complete video journey of the process. My goal is simple: to show you exactly what it’s like, help you avoid the mistakes I nearly made, and give you the confidence to finally go ahead instead of hesitating through fear of the unknown.

This review is my honest, firsthand experience with Clinicana, backed up with research about the hair transplant industry, safety standards, and what you can expect.

If you’ve got questions, I’d love to hear from you — you can reach me directly through my website.

Why I Chose Clinicana Over Other Turkish Clinics

I spent months researching. Like most people, I worried about scams, hidden costs, or ending up in a “backstreet” clinic. That’s a real risk in Turkey’s booming market — the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) estimates Turkey attracts nearly two-thirds of all global hair transplant patients because of cost advantages, which unfortunately attracts both good and bad actors.

Clinicana stood out because:

• They operate procedures from Acıbadem Taksim Hospital, a modern, private hospital regulated by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
• They hold ISO 9001 certification, meaning they meet international standards for medical quality.
• Their team is led by Dr. Soner Tatlıdede, a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
• They had thousands of genuine reviews from international patients on platforms including Google, Trustpilot and more.

It felt like a safe, professional choice rather than a gamble.

Clinicana Costs & Packages Explained

One of my first questions was: how much does a Clinicana hair transplant cost?

I chose the Standard Package at €2,850, which included:

• FUE surgery
• All consultations
• Hotel accommodation
• Airport and clinic transfers
• Translation services
• Aftercare kit and medications

There’s also a Premium Package (€3,000) with extras like upgraded products, but honestly, the standard package was more than enough so there’s no need to pop for the extra cost.

For context, the Mayo Clinic says U.S. patients often pay $10,000–$15,000, while the Medical Tourism Association puts Turkey’s average between $2,000–$4,000. Clinicana sits right in that sweet spot of affordability and quality.

Preparing for a Clinicana Hair Transplant

Preparation is simple but important. Here are a few things I learned (sometimes the hard way):

• Bring button-up shirts — pulling tight clothes over your scalp after surgery is a nightmare.
• Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning medications before surgery.
• Stay in Istanbul for at least 3 nights to cover pre-op, surgery, and the first wash.
• Install WhatsApp — Clinicana organises everything through it.

These little details made my trip much smoother.

Travel, Hotel & Transfers Experience

Clinicana includes accommodation at the Naz City Hotel Taksim, a 4-star hotel just a short walk from the clinic. A private driver met me at the airport, and from then on, everything was organised. The hotel staff were welcoming, breakfast was great, and I had free shuttle access to the clinic.

I never felt lost or stressed — every step was scheduled clearly on WhatsApp with my relationship manager.

What Surgery Day at Clinicana Was Really Like

On the morning of my procedure, I met with the surgeon to design my new hairline. This wasn’t rushed; we spent time mapping it out properly. That attention to detail gave me confidence.

The surgery itself was FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and lasted about 7 hours with breaks. Clinicana’s team kept me comfortable, offered food, and explained each step. Overall I was very comfortable and felt well looked after the whole time.

Is It Painful? My Honest Experience

The question I get most is: does a Clinicana hair transplant hurt?

The short answer: the anesthetic injections sting for a few seconds, but after that I felt almost nothing. I could even watch TV during parts of the procedure. Recovery discomfort was minimal — mostly some tightness and swelling for a couple of days.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, side effects like swelling and temporary redness are completely normal. My experience matched that.

Clinicana Before & After Results Timeline

Here’s how my recovery unfolded:

• Day 1: First wash at the clinic.
• Day 7–10: Scabs almost gone.

• Month 1: Shedding phase (don’t panic, it’s normal).
• Month 3: Tiny sprouts of new hair.
• Month 6: Noticeable coverage returning.
• Month 8: Coming thick (and a little wild!)

My Recovery & Aftercare With Clinicana

Clinicana gave me a clear aftercare kit and instructions:

• Gentle shampoo for two weeks.
• Medications to reduce swelling.
• WhatsApp check-ins at 1, 3, and 6 months.

Mistakes to Avoid When Booking a Hair Transplant in Turkey

From my own research and experience, here are the biggest mistakes people make:

1. Choosing based on price alone — cheap clinics often cut corners on hygiene and staff training.
2. Not asking who your surgeon is — you want to know their name and qualifications.
3. Skipping aftercare — washing and scalp care matter as much as the surgery itself.

Clinicana made it easy to avoid these mistakes.

Is Clinicana Legit or a Scam?

This comes up a lot: is Clinicana a scam?

From what I saw, absolutely not. They operate inside a licensed hospital, with ISO 9001 certification and Ministry of Health oversight. They’ve performed 10,000+ procedures over more than a decade.

The World Health Organization advises international patients to choose accredited providers. Clinicana ticks every box.

Life After Clinicana: Confidence & Reactions

By month 6, friends and colleagues were commenting on how much younger and healthier I looked. By month 12, I’d stopped thinking about my hair every time I saw a mirror.

It’s not just about hair — it’s about confidence, social ease, and feeling like yourself again.

FAQs About Clinicana Hair Transplant

Where is Clinicana located?
Inside Acıbadem Taksim Hospital, Istanbul.

Who performs the surgery?
Led by Dr. Soner Tatlıdede, with trained technicians.

Which techniques are used?
FUE and DHI. I had and FUE hairplant with Clinicana though.

Is accommodation included?
Yes, Naz City Hotel Taksim.

How long is recovery?
2–5 days for normal life, 3–4 months for visible growth.

Final Thoughts

My honest Clinicana review? I would recommend them without hesitation. The process was professional, the results are natural, and the support was excellent.

If you’re serious about a hair transplant, my biggest advice is to do your homework, ask the right questions, and make sure your clinic is accredited. For me, Clinicana delivered exactly what I hoped for.

I hope yuu found this helpful.

Learn more about my journey over at https://hairtransplantturkey.guide/

I answer common questions, show real before-and-after footage, and share tips I wish I’d known earlier.

And if you’re still unsure — reach out. I’m happy to answer questions directly.