Stop drinking alcohol at least 7 days before your Turkey hair transplant and quit smoking at least 14 days before surgery. These are not suggestions. Turkish clinics enforce these rules because alcohol increases surgical bleeding and nicotine reduces graft survival rates by restricting blood flow to the scalp.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Pre-Surgery Substance Rules
Every reputable clinic in Turkey will provide pre-operative instructions covering alcohol, tobacco, and other substances. Here is what the standard timelines look like.
| Substance | Stop Before Surgery | Resume After Surgery | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 7 days | 14 days | Thins blood, increases bleeding |
| Cigarettes | 14 days | 30 days | Constricts blood vessels, reduces oxygen |
| Vaping (nicotine) | 14 days | 30 days | Same vasoconstriction as cigarettes |
| Vaping (nicotine-free) | 7 days | 14 days | Inflammatory compounds in vapor |
| Marijuana (smoked) | 14 days | 30 days | Smoke inhalation impairs healing |
| Marijuana (edibles) | 3 days | 7 days | May interact with anesthesia |
| Blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen) | 7-10 days | 7 days | Increases surgical bleeding |
Why Alcohol Is Restricted
Alcohol affects your procedure in three ways. First, it acts as a blood thinner by inhibiting platelet aggregation. This means more bleeding during the 6-10 hour extraction and implantation process, which obscures the surgical field and can reduce the surgeon's precision. Second, alcohol causes dehydration, which thickens the scalp skin and makes graft insertion more difficult. Third, post-op alcohol consumption increases swelling in the forehead and eye area, a common side effect that alcohol makes significantly worse.
Turkish clinics typically run blood panels on the morning of your procedure. Elevated GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) or ALT levels can indicate recent heavy drinking, and some clinics will postpone the procedure if values are outside acceptable ranges.
Why Smoking Is Restricted
Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor. It narrows blood vessels throughout the body, including the dense capillary network in the scalp that newly implanted grafts depend on for survival. Research on wound healing consistently shows that smokers experience delayed healing, higher infection rates, and poorer outcomes across all surgical procedures.
For hair transplants specifically, the impact is measurable. Published studies indicate smokers can see 10-20% lower graft survival compared to non-smokers. When you are paying $1-2 per graft for a 3,000-graft procedure in Turkey, losing 300-600 grafts to smoking represents hundreds of dollars wasted and noticeable density loss.
Vaping and Nicotine Alternatives
Many patients assume vaping is safer than cigarettes for surgical recovery. The nicotine content is the primary concern, and vaping delivers comparable nicotine levels. Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges) also delivers nicotine and should be discontinued on the same 14-day timeline.
If you need help quitting before your procedure, consult your primary care physician about short-term cessation aids that do not contain nicotine, such as bupropion or varenicline.
Post-Surgery Rules
Alcohol After Your Transplant
Avoid alcohol for at least 14 days post-surgery. During the first week, alcohol increases the risk of bleeding from both donor and recipient sites. During weeks 1-2, it interferes with the anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics that Turkish clinics prescribe as part of standard post-op care. Alcohol can also disrupt sleep quality, and quality sleep is when the majority of tissue repair occurs.
Smoking After Your Transplant
The 30-day post-op smoking ban is the most important timeline to follow. Grafts take 7-10 days to establish initial blood supply connections and up to 3-4 months to fully integrate. The first 30 days represent the highest-risk window where restricted blood flow can cause graft failure.
If you cannot quit for 30 days, aim for absolute minimum abstinence of 14 days. Every day without nicotine during this window improves your odds.
What Turkish Clinics Actually Enforce
Most clinics ask about smoking and drinking habits during the initial consultation. Some clinics include a nicotine test in the pre-op blood panel. In practice, enforcement varies. High-volume clinics processing 20-30 patients per day rarely turn patients away for admitting to a cigarette three days prior. Surgeon-led boutique clinics with 1-3 daily procedures are more likely to postpone.
Regardless of enforcement, the biological reality does not change. Following these timelines gives your grafts the best chance of survival.
For a full breakdown of Turkey procedure costs including all-inclusive packages, see our Turkey vs USA cost comparison. To understand which extraction method your clinic is likely using, review the FUE vs FUT comparison.
Preparing for a Turkey hair transplant? Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to get a free AI assessment of your hair loss stage and estimated graft count before booking your consultation.
FAQ
Can I drink alcohol before a hair transplant in Turkey?
No. Stop all alcohol consumption at least 7 days before your procedure. Alcohol thins the blood and increases bleeding during extraction and implantation. Most Turkish clinics will postpone your surgery if blood tests reveal elevated liver enzymes or signs of recent heavy drinking.
How long before a hair transplant should I stop smoking?
Stop smoking at least 14 days before and 30 days after your hair transplant. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, reducing oxygen delivery to the scalp by up to 30%. This directly lowers graft survival rates. The same timeline applies to vaping and nicotine patches.
What happens if I smoke after a hair transplant?
Smoking after a hair transplant restricts blood flow to newly implanted grafts during their most vulnerable period. Studies show smokers experience 10-20% lower graft survival compared to non-smokers. Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke displaces oxygen in red blood cells, starving grafts of the oxygen needed for tissue integration.
Can I vape before a hair transplant in Turkey?
No. Vaping delivers nicotine, which causes the same vasoconstriction as cigarettes. Stop vaping 14 days before your procedure. Nicotine-free vape liquids still contain propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, which may cause systemic inflammation. Most Turkish surgeons treat vaping identically to smoking.