Woman Gets Hair Transplant in Turkey Before Wedding

Nicole Ethridge, 39, from Southern Maryland, decided to get a hair transplant after years of struggling with thinning hair. Her hair began to thin shortly after the birth of her daughter, which led to self-consciousness and a reliance on wigs.

Ethridge tried various treatments, including FDA-approved hair growth supplements, but found them insufficient. She eventually turned to a hair transplant as a solution, after researching options abroad.

She opted for a clinic in Istanbul, citing lower costs and a better selection of services for African American patients. With the help of an international facilitator, she arranged her treatment and accommodation.

Ethridge paid 50% of the quoted $2,600 clinic fee and covered the $1,250 cost for her flights. She traveled to Turkey in August 2025, despite her friends' concerns about the risks involved.

During the procedure, her head was shaved, and individual hair follicles were extracted and transplanted to the thinning areas. She returned the next day for a specialized hair-washing treatment and spent four days in Istanbul.

Ethridge's hair began to regrow within four months, with a noticeable improvement by the six-month mark. She is set to marry next year and hopes to have a good head of hair for the wedding, regardless of the final style.