Hair Transplant in Iran: FUE and FUT, the Procedure Day, Recovery, Results and Cost Factors

FUE, FUT and SUT: what is the difference?

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) describes two main ways of harvesting hair. In both, hair is transplanted as follicular units, the natural clusters of one to four hairs.

In FUE (follicular unit excision), each follicular unit is removed individually with micro punches of 0.7 to 1.2 mm. The donor area is usually shaved, and there is no linear scar.

In FUT (follicular unit transplantation, or the strip method), a strip of scalp 0.5 to 1.5 cm wide and 5 to 30 cm long is removed from the back of the head and divided into follicular units. ISHRS notes that FUT can move a high number of grafts in one session and is cheaper than FUE in most cases, but it leaves a linear scar.

Some clinics use names such as SUT for their own technique. ISHRS classifies methods by how hair is harvested, as FUE or FUT, so ask whether follicles are taken individually or as a strip, and who does the harvesting.

Who is a good candidate?

The AAD says men and women can be good candidates if they have enough healthy donor hair and the thinning area can still grow hair. Younger men whose hair loss is still progressing may be asked to start a hair loss medicine and wait.

ISHRS stresses that donor hair, once removed, is gone for good, so the plan should allow for future hair loss.

What happens on the procedure day

1. Examination, hairline design and agreement on an approximate graft count with your doctor.
2. Local anaesthesia to numb the scalp; the AAD says most patients stay awake, sometimes with a mild sedative.
3. Graft harvesting by FUE or FUT, and graft preparation.
4. Placing the grafts in the recipient area; the AAD puts the whole procedure at about four to eight hours.
5. Bandaging and aftercare instructions for your hotel stay. After a very large session you may return for a few hours the next day.

Recovery and results timeline

This timeline is general and varies between patients. Your own doctor's instructions come first. ISHRS says transplanted hair grows about 1 cm per month.

How to choose a hair transplant clinic

ISHRS urges patients travelling abroad to research the doctor and facility thoroughly and to watch for a bait and switch, where one doctor's credentials are advertised but someone else performs the surgery. Ask:

• Who will evaluate your hair loss and recommend treatment, and what are their training and licence?
• Who will make the incisions and harvest the grafts, and what does each team member do?
• Is the facility licensed by Iran's Ministry of Health and, for international patients, does it hold an IPD licence?
• Get the approximate graft count and harvesting method in writing.
• Ask about aftercare, follow-up visits and how to reach the team after you go home.
• Do not choose on price alone.

What affects hair transplant cost in Iran

LSevin does not publish fixed prices; you receive a written quote after your photos are reviewed. These factors usually affect cost:

• Harvesting method; ISHRS says FUT is cheaper than FUE in most cases
• Size of the thinning area and number of grafts needed
• One session or several
• The doctor's experience and the type of facility
• Hotel nights, transfers and companions
• Medicines and aftercare

Iran or Turkey: factors to compare

Many patients compare a hair transplant in Iran with one in Turkey. Rather than comparing adverts, check these factors for each specific clinic:

• Visa rules and flights for your nationality and home city
• The language you can use with the doctor and team
• Whether the doctor personally harvests and places grafts, or a technician does
• The facility's licence and how follow-up works after you go home
• The total trip cost, not only the procedure price
• Your government's official travel advice; as of 26 October 2026 the UK advises against all travel to Iran, so read the latest advisory before you book.