A British tourist has died in Turkey after undergoing a hair transplant followed by dental treatment, prompting an official investigation by local authorities.
The man, aged 36, traveled to Istanbul last week for a hair transplant procedure at a clinic in the Fulya district. According to local reports, he underwent dental work the following day in the Ayazaga neighborhood.
After returning to his hotel in the Sisli district, the man reportedly became unwell. Emergency services were called, and he was transported by ambulance to Seyrantepe Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, where he died at approximately 4:30 p.m.
His body was transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the cause of death. Following the examination, the man’s body was returned to his family and repatriated to the UK.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is now underway. The UK Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
Turkey has emerged as a global hub for cosmetic procedures, particularly hair transplants, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the world’s hair transplant tourism market. The country attracts patients with comparatively low costs and widely promoted medical expertise. According to the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council, more than one million people travel to Turkey each year for hair restoration treatments, with industry estimates projecting 1.1 million patients in 2025.
The latest incident comes just four months after another British national died following a hair transplant in Istanbul. In July, Martyn Latchman, 38, underwent a £1,500 cosmetic hair procedure at a private clinic in the Besiktas district. He reportedly became ill shortly after the five-hour operation and was rushed to hospital, where he later died.
Following Latchman’s death, staff and doctors at the clinic were questioned by the Istanbul Province Health Directorate, which launched a separate investigation. The clinic has publicly stated that it has treated tens of thousands of patients over nearly two decades and promotes itself as a center of excellence in the field.
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.
Authorities have not indicated whether the two cases are linked, and investigations into the most recent death remain ongoing.
