Teenage girl speaks out after flying to Turkey for hair transplant at age 16
Hair transplant have become one of the latest health crazes in the UK, with plenty of people looking to benefit from a fresher look that comes with having a lower hair line.
The British teen kept track of her results and shared the progress on social media, leaving several shocked with the lengths she went to for a cosmetic change.
Yasmine, from Nottingham, spoke of the 'huge insecurity' she had over the size of her forehead, having dealt with it from a 'very young age' and with it eventually affecting her mental health.
Now 18, she said she would go as far as avoiding photos while feeling uncomfortable in social situations, hoping that a transplant could 'fix' her appearance.
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The vast majority of Turkey hair transplant stories involve older men, but Yasmine has proved that anyone can choose to get the work done.
When she was given the chance to book a transplant in Turkey then, she jumped at the chance.
The teenager made her way to the medical tourism hotspot, deciding it was the right place as she was familiar with the country's popularity for hair transplants in particular.
In Istanbul, she paid a total of £1,110 and this covered hotel stay, transportation, essentials for recovery, aftercare and the surgery.
This procedure can cost anywhere from £1,110 to £30,000 in the UK though, according to the NHS.
Yasmine's surgery involved using 3,000 hair grafts from the back of her head after it was shaved, before implanting them on the front of her head - she was at the clinic for seven hours.
Opening up to People, Yasmine said: "At first, the new hairs grow in and then fall out, which is completely normal because they aren’t strong enough yet. After the shedding phase, the hair starts to grow back thicker and stronger.
"Over time, it just continues to improve. Now that I’m over a year post-op, my hair looks natural, thick, and the results are amazing. It was a long journey, but absolutely worth it," she claimed.
Admitting that it took her 'patience' to undergo the hair growth journey, she is now very pleased with the results and often shows her new look off on Instagram and TikTok.
Tracy Evans, MD, a doctor based in the US, has recommended that this sort of surgery only be available to patients over the age of 18.
This is the age where a teenager is no longer considered a legal minor in several countries, including Turkey.
Yasmine added: "It takes a long time for these hairs to grow in, which patients often underestimate, causing potential psychological distress."
The teen said that patients should bide their time and wait until they're old enough to make a decision on the surgery.
Luckily, she revealed that there were no complications post-operation, as she only felt 'discomfort' while sleeping, and was dealing with tightness around her head.
She went on: ""The surgery has changed my entire life. Before the transplant, I hated how I looked, and my mental health was in a really bad place."
Yasmine insists that she is now 'more confident' and 'happier', being able to live her life without any of those old insecurities.
Topics: Mental Health, Social Media, Community
Joshua Nair