Lyes Elkettas, a 56-year-old professional living in London, had been watching his hair thinning for years. The receding hairline and widening crown gradually eroded his confidence. Like many men, he too considered a hair transplant. The Turkey option popped up on his Instagram ads feeds, YouTube videos, and even casual conversations with friends.
The promise of a “holiday and hair” package for a low price seemed too neat to ignore. But Lyes couldn’t shake off his doubts. Could he really trust a clinic he’d never seen? Rely on a doctor he hadn’t met? This was further complicated by the fact that he didn’t speak the local language, making the experience feel even more uncertain.
After a bit more research, he found Royal Wharf Clinic, a trusted CQC-registered hair transplant clinic right in London’s Royal Docks. Five-star reviews on Google and proof of real patient results, along with a free consultation with Dr. Shaan convinced him to finally stop scrolling and book an appointment.
Why Lyes Decided Against Turkey
While cost was a factor, Lyes decision came down to protecting his health and ensuring peace of mind. Turkey seemed an appealing option because of lower prices and ads that promised the luxury package for a fraction of the UK cost. But the cracks started to show when he researched more.
- The biggest red flag was no aftercare in Turkey. This meant that once you left the clinic, you would be left without immediate medical support in the event of complications. Infections, poor graft survival, or uneven results.
- Another issue was the language barrier. Lyes wanted to clearly understand his medical procedure and also explain his goals and concerns. The idea of relying on translators or simplified explanations for something so personal didn’t sit right.
- The high-volume clinics in Turkey meant these places often prioritised quantity over quality. As a result, there would probably be less attention to detail and rushed surgeries that could lead to patchy density or an unnatural look.
- Lastly, Lyes read many stories of botched transplants in Turkey. Scars or hair that grew in the wrong direction? He wasn’t willing to take that risk. The costs of corrections often outweigh the initial savings.
In Lyes’ words, “It’s not worth saving a few hundred pounds if I end up ruining my scalp. This is my hair: why would I take that risk?”
Why Did Lyes Choose Royal Wharf Clinic
Upon inquiring about Royal Wharf Clinic’s hair transplants, Lyes found several reasons to avoid a flight to Turkey. Here’s what sealed the deal for him:
CQC-registered Hair Transplant Clinic
Royal Wharf Clinic is fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This same body oversees hospitals and GPs in the UK. Factors like strict hygiene standards, reliable safety protocols, and regular inspections were fully managed under CQC guidelines. Simply knowing that the clinic was held accountable to UK medical standards made a huge difference for Lyes.
In-Person Consultation with The Surgeon
You wouldn’t want a mystery surgeon for your hair transplant. Lyes met Dr. Shaan Mahmood at Royal Wharf Clinic face-to-face for a free consultation. After discussing Lyes’ scalp condition in depth, Dr. Shaan mapped out a personalised plan. It centred around applying 3,000 grafts using the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) technique around the frontal hairline and crown.
Straightforward Pricing
The cost was $3,200 for 3,000 grafts and some supportive treatments, all clearly outlined upfront. There weren’t any hidden fees nor any “special package” deals that changed on surgery day. Moreover, from PRP therapy to biotin injections and IV hydration, this transparent pricing shared a to-the-point breakdown of what services Lyes would receive.
Results That Spoke for Royal Wharf Clinic
Lyes studied Royal Wharf’s before-and-after photos and read the clinic’s 5-star Google reviews. It was evident how the hairlines didn’t resemble something from a cookie-cutter template. Each end result was natural, with proper density and realistic hair angles, and without any visible scarring.
The Hair Transplant Procedure Experience
Here’s what happened during Lyes’ surgery on Saturday, 5th October 2024 at Royal Wharf Clinic:
Step 1: Donor Area Prep
The back of Lyes’ scalp, where hair is genetically strong and resistant to thinning, was numbed. This is the donor area where hair follicles are taken from.
Step 2: Graft Extraction with 0.8mm Motorised Punch
Dr. Shaan then used a 0.8mm motorised punch. This tiny, precise tool gently “cores” out each hair follicle. Its small size indicates minimal site trauma and almost no damage to surrounding tissues.
Also, each graft contains 1-4 hairs, depending on the natural groupings in Lyes’ scalp. He underwent a substantial session with thousands of tiny extractions that covered the frontal hairline and vertex.
Step 3: Recipient Site Creation with Sapphire Blades
Sapphire blades are sharper and thinner than regular steel blades. Using them created micro-channels for each graft that would help hair grow in the right direction, angle, and density.
Remember, wrong angles make your hair look unnatural, and uneven density gives a patchy result.
Step 4: Graft Implantation
Each of Lyes’ grafts was implanted by hand. Dr Shaan designed Lyes’s hairline to match his natural growth pattern with denser grafting at the front to create a smooth, natural-looking transition from the hairline to the rest of the scalp.
What’s best was that besides a restored sense of self, Lyes was given clear instructions and support for aftercare and recovery.
Aftercare: The Royal Wharf Add-On
This underscored the true difference between hair transplants at Royal Wharf Clinic and the typical overseas experience. It wasn’t limited to a basic instruction sheet, but Lyes was given a clear plan of action for aftercare after his FUE hair transplant in London:
- Use saline spray every 30 minutes for 4 days to keep the grafts hydrated and healthy.
- Prevent washing the recipient area for 4 days so the grafts are given time to settle.
- Apply baby shampoo to the donor area after 48 hours.
- Avoid intense workouts for two weeks, as sweat can loosen grafts.
Even better, Lyes was instructed to attend in-person follow-up appointments on Day 7, Month 1, Month 3, and Month 6. Compared to Turkey, where you’re usually left with minimal post-support surgery, Royal Wharf Clinic checked on his progress during each phase. Most importantly, he received a series of supportive treatments like:
- 4 PRP sessions where your own blood is spun to improve healing and growth.
- 3 biotin injections as a vitamin boost for stronger hair.
- IV nutrient therapy administered through a drip to support recovery and hair growth.
- Full blood workup before surgery to ensure Lyes was fit and ready.
Before & After Results
Lyes’s surgery outcome is evident in his hairline a few months after the surgery. This natural-looking hair transplant result was topped with just enough density to fill out the crown. The single-hair grafts at the front provide a soft and undetectable transition, while the crown’s structure matches his natural pattern perfectly.
No one could suspect he had a hair transplant. What’s best is that he expressed how he felt whole again and how his friends complimented his hairline. It was exactly the result he had hoped for.
Mr. Lyes Elkettas’s Testimonial
“I had been watching my hair thin for years and always considered Turkey, but I’m glad I chose a UK clinic. From start to finish, Dr Shaan and the team treated me like family. And now, 6 months in, my confidence is back, and the results are speaking for themselves.”
Conclusion
Lyes’ story might resemble yours if you’ve been thinking about a hair transplant but don’t want to risk it abroad. Note that hair transplants aren’t a one-day procedure in its entirety. Take it as an investment in your appearance and confidence. At Royal Wharf Clinic, patient care is tailored to the individual, with a focus on trust, transparency, and lasting results.
Start the process and redo your hairline at Royal Wharf Clinic,
1 Cunningham Avenue, London E16 2PS, the best hair transplant clinic in London.
