A British tourist has died in Turkey after undergoing a hair transplant followed by dental treatment, triggering a formal investigation by local authorities.
The 36-year-old man travelled to Istanbul last week for a hair transplant procedure at a clinic in the Fulya district. According to local reports, he underwent dental treatment the following day in the Ayazaga neighbourhood.
After returning to his hotel in Istanbul’s Sisli district, the man reportedly became unwell. Emergency services were called, and he was taken by ambulance to Seyrantepe Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at around 4:30 pm.
His body was transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute for a post-mortem examination. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the cause of death. Following the autopsy, the man’s family collected his body and repatriated it to the UK.
An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the death. The UK Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
Turkey has emerged as a global hub for hair transplant tourism, accounting for nearly 60% of the worldwide market. The country attracts patients with comparatively low costs and a reputation for high-volume cosmetic procedures. The Turkish Healthcare Travel Council estimates that more than one million people travel to Turkey each year for hair restoration treatments, with clinics projecting that the number could reach 1.1 million patients in 2025.
The latest incident comes just four months after another British man died following a hair transplant in Turkey. In July, 38-year-old Martyn Latchman travelled to Istanbul for a £1,500 hair transplant procedure at a private clinic in the Besiktas district. He reportedly became ill shortly after the five-hour operation, was rushed to hospital, and later died.
Following that death, staff and doctors at the clinic were questioned by the Istanbul Province Health Directorate as part of an official inquiry.
Hair transplant procedures in Turkey typically cost between £1,500 and £3,000, significantly lower than prices in the UK, where similar treatments can range from £3,000 to £10,000. The growing popularity of cosmetic tourism has also raised concerns among health experts about patient safety, post-operative care, and regulatory oversight.
