Yes, you can get a hair transplant without shaving your head. At Cosmedica in Istanbul, a fully unshaven hair transplant is generally suitable for about 1,000 grafts, and a partially unshaven procedure for up to about 2,800 grafts, depending on your donor area. Only the hair in the donor area is shortened; the recipient area is not shaved, so you keep your hairstyle. Unshaven generally suits hair loss up to Norwood 3. For more advanced hair loss, a shaven transplant is the better choice.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Levent Acar, MD, Founder & Lead Hair Transplant Surgeon at Cosmedica · Updated November 2026
Quick answer: unshaven hair transplant at a glance
An unshaven hair transplant is a hair transplant in which the recipient area is not shaved. The hair in the donor area at the back of the head is shortened to give access to the follicles, and the grafts are then implanted between your existing hairs. It can be performed with Sapphire FUE or Micro Sapphire DHI, depending on your hair characteristics and the number of grafts.
Fully or partially unshaven: a fully unshaven procedure is generally suitable for about 1,000 grafts: the donor hair is shortened and the recipient area is not shaved. A partially unshaven procedure can reach about 2,800 grafts, depending on your suitability. In hair restoration in general, “partially shaven” means that part of the donor area is shaved, often in narrow strips that the longer hair above them covers. Most Norwood 3 cases need about 1,500 to 2,500 grafts, so they usually fall into the partially unshaven range.
Unshaven is not the same as long hair FUE. In long hair FUE, grafts are transplanted at their original length. In an unshaven hair transplant at Cosmedica, the donor hair is shortened before extraction; only the recipient area keeps its length.
Unshaven is a good fit if you:
Unshaven is not the right choice if you:
Whether unshaven works for you, and whether fully or partially, is decided after a detailed medical assessment of your hair loss, donor density, hair characteristics and the number of grafts you need. Use the hair graft calculator for a first estimate, or send photos for a free hair analysis.
In short: unshaven keeps your hairstyle and suits hair loss up to Norwood 3; shaven is the choice for more advanced hair loss and the largest sessions.
| Unshaven (no shave) | Shaven (full shave) | |
|---|---|---|
| Grafts per session | about 1,000 fully unshaven; up to about 2,800 partially unshaven | up to 4,000 (megasession up to 6,000) |
| Best for | hair loss up to Norwood 3 | more advanced hair loss, large areas |
| Preparation | donor hair shortened, recipient area not shaved | whole head shaved |
| Technique | Sapphire FUE or Micro Sapphire DHI | Sapphire FUE or Micro Sapphire DHI |
| Procedure time | about the same as shaven | depends on the number of grafts |
| Visibility after surgery | low, since your hairstyle stays the same | visible until the hair grows back |
| Price | individual quote, no standard surcharge | FUE Sapphire from €2,550 / $2,950; Micro Sapphire DHI from €3,290 / $3,800 |
| Final result | after several months | after several months |
Prices as of November 2026. See all packages on the hair transplant cost page.
Our recommendation:
| When | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| First days | Redness, slight swelling and numbness in the donor and recipient area, usually gone within a few days | Follow your aftercare plan |
| Days 10–14 | Small crusts come off | Gentle washing with a pH-neutral shampoo |
| First two weeks | The treated areas heal | No strenuous sport, sauna, harsh hair products or strong sun |
| Following months | The new hair grows in | Be patient: the final result is reached after several months |
Because the recipient area is not shaved and your hairstyle stays the same, the procedure is hard to notice and you can return to everyday life quickly. More on possible side effects: hair transplant risks.
There is no standard surcharge for an unshaven hair transplant in Turkey. The price is set individually, based on the number of grafts, the extent of the procedure and the technique. For reference, Cosmedica packages start at €2,550 / $2,950 (FUE Sapphire) and €3,290 / $3,800 (Micro Sapphire DHI) for up to 4,000 grafts, including hotel, transfers and aftercare (what’s included). You get your personal quote after the free hair analysis.
See real results from Dr. Acar’s patients in our before and after gallery.
Yes. Cosmedica in Istanbul performs unshaven hair transplants for hair loss up to Norwood 3: about 1,000 grafts fully unshaven, or up to about 2,800 grafts partially unshaven. Whether it suits you is decided after a free hair analysis.
Not always. In an unshaven hair transplant, only the donor hair is shortened and the recipient area is not shaved, so you keep your hairstyle. For more advanced hair loss or larger areas, a conventional shaven transplant is usually the better choice.
About 1,000 grafts fully unshaven and up to about 2,800 grafts partially unshaven. The exact number depends on your donor area, hair characteristics and the extent of your hair loss.
Early thinning at the crown, as in Norwood 3 vertex, can fall within the unshaven range. Temples plus early crown typically need about 2,000 to 2,500 grafts, so this is usually a partially unshaven procedure. A larger crown area or more advanced hair loss is better treated with a shaven transplant.
There is no standard surcharge. The price depends on the number of grafts, the extent of the procedure and the technique. You get a personal quote after the hair analysis.
Generally not. It takes about as long as a shaven transplant; the duration depends on the number of grafts and your individual hair characteristics.
No. In long hair FUE, grafts are transplanted at their original length. In an unshaven hair transplant, the donor hair is shortened before extraction and only the recipient area stays unshaven.
Both are possible. Sapphire FUE or Micro Sapphire DHI is chosen based on your hair characteristics, the number of grafts and the treatment area.
For suitable patients, yes. The grafts grow the same way as in a shaven transplant. With very coarse hair or a scarred scalp, fewer follicles can be extracted, which can limit the result.
Yes. Women with thinning at the parting or hairline are often good candidates, because the recipient area is not shaved and the hairstyle stays the same.
Because the recipient area is not shaved and your hairstyle stays the same, many patients return to everyday life quickly. Avoid strenuous sport, sauna and strong sun for the first two weeks.
