As ‘Turkish Hairlines' meme goes viral, here's a closer look at India's troubled hair transplant industry

Indian Express

3 days ago

Hair transplant procedures are often touted as minimally invasive and largely painless. The technology or 'treatment' has been around in India for some time now, but a string of recent cases has exposed the cracks in the country's booming yet dangerously under-regulated hair transplant industry.
Within 24 hours of undergoing a hair transplant at a private clinic in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, two engineers lost their lives. The doctor disappeared, and the clinic was sealed. In another case, two men reportedly died after a dentist – yes, a dentist – performed the procedure. A separate incident in Kerala left a patient with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare flesh-eating bacterial infection, following surgery allegedly conducted by someone with a fake medical degree.
Amid rising reports of botched surgeries, growing medical tourism, and mounting social media pressure, more Indians are flying to Turkey, the unofficial global capital of hair restoration, for transplants that promise natural-looking results, often at lower costs. That's also how the viral 'Turkish Hairlines' meme was born: a video showing a plane full of bald men en route to Istanbul, all in search of hair and hope.
Indianexpress.com spoke to industry experts to understand what's driving this trend and how Turkey became the global epicenter of this follicular phenomenon.
According to Dr Katheeja Nasika, consultant in the department of dermatology at Rela Hospital, Chennai, the rush for perfect hairlines is driven by a mix of peer pressure, the impact of influencer marketing, and societal expectations, especially among men prepping for marriage or public life.
Dr Veena Praveen, head dermatologist (South), Kaya Limited, agreed but attributed the increasing popularity to technological advancements and a rise in awareness. 'People want long-term, natural-looking solutions. For many, it's not about improving appearance alone; it's about regaining confidence,' she said.
Social media and celebrity endorsements have also significantly contributed to making hair restoration more accessible and widely accepted.
Shradha Rajani Mordani, CEO of Tejco Global LLP, said that the hair transplant industry is set to explode – from USD 7.3 billion in 2025 to USD 49.9 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 20 per cent. 'At the heart of this surge is the new buzzword – precision technology – delivering perfected hairlines where science meets style and confidence,' she said.
Mordani believes that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated self-image anxieties. 'Video calls made people hyper-aware of their appearance. Combine that with a growing acceptance of grooming among men, and we saw a sharp rise in demand for aesthetic procedures,' she said.
And it's not just hair. From micro needling to laser hair removal and PRP therapy, Indians are embracing cosmetic enhancement, but not always safely, said Dr Praveen.
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Turkey offers advanced techniques like Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), skilled practitioners, and all-inclusive packages – flight, stay, surgery, recovery – at competitive prices, said Dr Nasika.
Dr Praveen said, 'The country has built an impressive reputation for hair restoration, combining medical excellence with cost-effective services.'
'Turkey also has a bunch of trained professionals and certified programs, which interest youngsters to pursue hair transplantation courses,' Dr Nasika said, pointing out that while India has affordable transplant options, 'the number of well-trained, ethical practitioners here is far fewer than in Turkey.'
That is why Aditya Awasthee, a private investor and realtor with the Nexus Group, had been exploring the idea of getting a hair transplant and after consulting several cosmetologists and fashion industry experts, zeroed in on Turkey as the best option — even if not the most cost-efficient one.
'Turkey also has some internationally trained doctors and uses modern techniques like FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and DHI (Direct Hair Implantation). It's more like medical tourism, with a focus on hair restoration,' said Awasthee. His research led him towards 'highly acclaimed and established clinics offering packages that include airport transfers, hotel stay for 3–4 nights, translator services as well as medication and an aftercare kit.'
Having learned about promising results and sustainable outcomes, Awasthee derived that Turkey has the highest success rate. 'Typically, Istanbul and other cities have a reputation for delivering natural-looking results,' he said, revealing that to be his primary goal.
According to him, the cherry on the cake is that 'Turkey also permits combining treatment with a vacation — which allows to explore Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya before or after the surgery.'
Dr Nasika urged people to check if the doctor is certified and the clinic or hospital has a commendable reputation before getting the procedure done. 'According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), only plastic surgeons or dermatologists are authorised to perform hair transplants in India,' she said.
Money is also an important factor to consider. 'A cheap fix could lead to complications that cost far more to treat later,' Dr Nasika said.
Experts say yes, but not without reforms.
While Turkey is an appealing option, India also has a rich medical heritage and boasts world-class dermatologists and hair restoration experts. 'India already has world-class doctors and infrastructure,' said Dr Praveen. 'But the focus now needs to be on transparent practices, credible patient testimonials, competitive pricing, and the highest standard of post-op care. That's how trust is built,' she said.
Mordani, too, said that Indian cosmetology is rapidly evolving and making it big. 'Millennials and Gen Z are pushing the demand. High-quality hair transplant instruments and devices, resulting in 'real no-downtime' results, are paving the way for a growing international doctor-clientele base adopting our technology, bringing India on the global footprint for hair restoration,' she said.
According to Mordani, India's aesthetic industry is poised to lead globally by collaborating with international experts. With these advancements, Indian clinics can offer world-class treatments while meeting the growing demand for effective and accessible aesthetic solutions.