Sideburn transplantation restores thin, patchy or missing sideburns by moving hair follicles from the back of the scalp into the area in front of the ears. It takes about 2 to 4 hours under local anesthesia, most cases need 200 to 600 grafts per side, and the final result appears around 9 to 12 months later. In Turkey, a sideburn transplant typically costs $1,200 to $2,000.
I am Dr. Mehmet Erdoğan, co-founder of Smile Hair Clinic in Istanbul and an associate member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). Sideburns are a small area, but they connect the hairline to the beard and frame the whole side of the face, so when they are missing the face can look unfinished. This page explains who benefits from sideburn transplantation, how it is planned and performed, how recovery goes and what it costs.
| Sideburn transplantation at a glance | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Technique | FUE extraction with DHI or sapphire FUE implantation |
| Donor area | Back of the scalp |
| Typical graft count | 200 to 600 per side |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia, you stay awake |
| Operation time | About 2 to 4 hours |
| Stay in Istanbul | 2 to 3 days |
| Return to office work | 3 to 5 days |
| First trim | After about 3 to 4 weeks |
| Final result | 9 to 12 months |
| Typical price in Turkey | $1,200 to $2,000 |
What Is Sideburn Transplantation?
Sideburn transplantation is a hair restoration procedure in which individual follicles are taken from the scalp and implanted in front of the ears to rebuild the shape and density of the sideburns. Because the hair is your own, there is no rejection, and once the grafts settle they grow permanently.
Sideburn hair is a transition zone. At the top it behaves like scalp hair, and lower down it blends into the beard, while the direction of growth turns downward and slightly backward. A good sideburn transplant follows that change in direction and texture so the new hair joins both the hairline and the beard without a visible break.
Why Do Sideburns Thin or Disappear?
Sideburns can be thin from birth or lose density later in life. The most common reasons are genetics, scars and previous surgery, but some causes need to be treated rather than transplanted.
| Cause | Is a transplant usually suitable? |
|---|---|
| Genetically sparse or uneven sideburns | Yes |
| Scars from injuries, burns, acne or surgery | Yes, in stable scar tissue |
| Sideburns pulled back or lost after a facelift | Yes |
| Thinning that continues the pattern of male hair loss at the temples | Often, as part of a hairline plan |
| Frontal fibrosing alopecia or other scarring alopecias | Only after the condition has been stable for a long time, and with caution |
| Active alopecia areata or hair loss after chemotherapy | No, these need treatment or time first |
Frontal fibrosing alopecia deserves special mention. It is an inflammatory condition that often removes the sideburns and eyebrows in women, and it must be diagnosed and controlled by a dermatologist before any transplant is considered.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sideburn Transplantation?
A good candidate is a healthy adult whose sideburns are thin, patchy, asymmetric or missing, who has a healthy donor area at the back of the scalp and whose underlying cause is stable.
In men, the most common goal is to connect a full beard to the hairline, or to fix sideburns that look weak next to an otherwise dense beard. Many men combine sideburn work with a beard transplant or a hair transplant so the whole frame of the face is designed together.
In women, sideburn transplantation is most often requested after a facelift, which can pull the sideburn line backward or leave a scar in front of the ear, or to soften a sparse temple and sideburn area. Female sideburns are designed to be lighter, shorter and softer than male ones. Women considering wider work can read the female hair transplant page.
How Many Grafts Does a Sideburn Transplant Need?
Most sideburn transplants need 200 to 600 grafts per side. Filling a small gap or adding light density sits at the lower end, while rebuilding a full sideburn, covering a scar or connecting the hairline to a dense beard sits higher. The exact number is confirmed only after your donor area and existing hair have been examined.
Sideburn grafts are mostly single hairs, especially along the front edge, with occasional double hairs in the center for density. This keeps the border soft and natural.
How Is Sideburn Transplantation Performed?
Sideburn transplantation is performed in one session of about two to four hours, with design, extraction, channel opening and implantation, all under local anesthesia. The design decides the result, so it is agreed in front of a mirror before anything else happens.
We mark the length, width and front edge of each sideburn and check that both sides are symmetrical. Existing sideburn hair is not shaved, because its direction is the best guide for placing the new grafts. Grafts are then extracted one by one from the back of the scalp and implanted at a very low angle, following the downward direction of natural sideburn growth. DHI is often preferred for the front edge and for filling between existing hairs, because it gives precise control in such a small area.
What Does Recovery Look Like After Sideburn Transplantation?
Recovery is quick. Mild swelling, redness and tiny crusts settle within the first week or two, and most people return to office work within three to five days. The transplanted hairs then shed before regrowing from around month three.
| Time after surgery | What you will notice |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 5 | Mild swelling, redness and small crusts in front of the ears |
| Days 7 to 14 | Crusts soften and fall away |
| Weeks 2 to 6 | Transplanted hairs shed while the follicles stay in place |
| Months 3 to 4 | First fine hairs appear |
| Months 5 to 9 | Density builds and direction becomes even |
| Months 9 to 12 | Final shape and density |
In the first days, avoid sleeping on your side, rubbing the area and very chewy food, since jaw movement pulls on the skin in front of the ear. Keep the area out of strong sun for the first months. Day-to-day aftercare instructions are collected in the patient guide.
When Can You Trim or Shave the Sideburns?
Do not shave or trim the transplanted area until the crusts have gone. Light trimming is usually fine after three to four weeks, and close shaving should wait until the grafts are firmly anchored, which your doctor will confirm at follow-up.
Is Sideburn Transplantation Permanent?
Yes, the transplanted hair is permanent. The follicles come from an area of the scalp whose hair keeps growing throughout life, and they keep that quality after moving to the sideburns. The one exception is when the original cause was an inflammatory condition such as frontal fibrosing alopecia, which can affect transplanted hair if it becomes active again. This is why the diagnosis matters before surgery.
How Much Does Sideburn Transplantation Cost in Turkey?
Sideburn transplantation in Turkey typically costs between $1,200 and $2,000. Small touch-ups sit at the lower end, while scar reconstruction or full sideburn rebuilding sits higher. Comparable treatment in Western Europe or North America usually costs several times more.
When sideburns are part of a larger hair transplant, the hair transplant cost in Turkey page shows how the package price is set.
Sideburn work is often combined with a beard, moustache or hair transplant, in which case it is priced as part of one all-inclusive plan covering the operation, medications, hotel, VIP transfers, an interpreter and aftercare follow-up. To receive a quote, send clear photos of both sides of your face and the back of your scalp through the contact page.
What Are the Risks of Sideburn Transplantation?
Sideburn transplantation is a low-risk procedure when it is performed by an experienced doctor in a licensed, sterile facility. Temporary swelling, redness, mild tenderness when chewing, small crusts, itching and brief numbness are normal and settle within days.
The risks that matter most are aesthetic. Hairs placed at the wrong angle, or sideburns that are not symmetrical, are difficult to correct later. Before booking, ask who will design your sideburns and who will place the grafts. You can read about my background and memberships on the about me page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sideburn Transplantation
Is sideburn transplantation painful?
Only the local anesthetic injections at the start sting briefly. After that the area is numb, and any tenderness in the following days is mild and managed with standard painkillers.
Will the new sideburns match my beard and hair?
Scalp hair can be slightly finer than beard hair, but at a normal length the difference is very hard to notice, especially in the upper part of the sideburn where it meets the hairline.
Do I need to shave my existing sideburns before surgery?
No. Keep your existing sideburn hair, even if it is sparse, because its direction helps guide the placement of new grafts.
Can women have sideburn transplantation?
Yes. It is most common after a facelift or for a sparse temple and sideburn area, with a lighter and softer design than in men.
Can I combine sideburn transplantation with other procedures?
Yes. It is often done together with a beard transplant, a moustache transplant, an eyebrow transplant or a hair transplant in the same visit, as long as the donor area can support all of them.
When can I go back to work?
Most people return to office work within three to five days. Small crusts may be visible for about a week to ten days.
How do I book sideburn transplantation with Dr. Mehmet Erdoğan?
Send clear photos of both sides of your face and the back of your scalp through the contact form or WhatsApp. You will receive a design suggestion, a graft estimate and an all-inclusive quote.
Planning Your Sideburn Transplant With Dr. Mehmet Erdoğan
Well-designed sideburns are easy to overlook, which is exactly the point. They should simply look as if they have always been there. If you share a few photos, I will review them and suggest a shape and graft range that suit your face, and tell you honestly whether a transplant is the right step. You can reach me through the contact page, and media coverage of our work is collected on the press and media page.