About Punch Grafting
Key Highlights
-
Minimally invasive surgical procedure for stable vitiligo.Targeted repigmentation of small to medium-sized patches.Uses the patient's own skin (autograft), eliminating rejection risk.Can be performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.Often considered when medical therapies like phototherapy have failed.Generally has a high success rate for properly selected cases./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Stable, segmental, or focal vitiligo that has not spread for at least 1-2 years.
- Small to moderately sized depigmented patches resistant to medical treatments (e.g., topical steroids, phototherapy).
- Lesions on cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas like lips, fingertips, or genitals.
- Patients with a strong desire for repigmentation and realistic expectations.
- Non-active vitiligo (no new lesions or enlargement of existing ones).
How to prepare
- Detailed consultation with a dermatologist to assess suitability and set realistic expectations.
- Evaluation to confirm the vitiligo is stable and non-active.
- Avoiding sun exposure and tanning of both donor and recipient sites prior to surgery.
- Discontinuation of blood-thinning medications (like aspirin) as advised by the doctor.
- Informing the doctor about all current medications and allergies.
- Showering with an antibacterial soap on the morning of the procedure may be recommended.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the donor or recipient site.
- Bleeding or hematoma formation.
- Graft failure or incomplete 'take' of the transplanted skin.
- Cobblestoning (uneven texture) or color mismatch at the recipient site.
- Scarring or keloid formation, particularly in prone individuals.
- Persistent pain, itching, or numbness.
- Recurrence of depigmentation around the graft edges (perigraft halo).
- Activation of vitiligo (Koebner phenomenon) at the donor site.
Recovery & hospital stay
- The donor and recipient sites are covered with sterile dressings.
- Keeping the grafted area completely immobile and dry for the first 5-7 days is crucial for graft survival.
- Oral antibiotics and pain relievers may be prescribed.
- Dressings are typically changed by the doctor after one week.
- Avoid strenuous activity, sweating, and direct pressure on the grafted area for 2-3 weeks.
- Gentle cleansing and application of prescribed ointments as directed after the initial healing phase.
- Sun protection with high-SPF sunscreen is essential once healed to protect the new pigment.
- Follow-up visits are necessary to monitor graft take and healing progress.
-
Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
-
Expected recovery time: 2-3 weeks for initial healing; full pigment development may take 3-6 months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering punch grafting in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with dermatology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform punch grafting. MediFyr helps you compare dermatologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for punch grafting compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 87 – USD 272 | 0 days (outpatient procedure) | ~ 2-3 weeks for initial healing; full pigment development may take 3-6 months | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 644 – USD 2,013 | 0 days (outpatient procedure) | ~ 2-3 weeks for initial healing; full pigment development may take 3-6 months | Know More |
A 28-year-old software engineer from Bangalore...
A 28-year-old software engineer from Bangalore developed sudden severe alopecia areata after workplace stress. Dr. Sugandhan S initiated combination therapy with topical corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma injections, achieving 80% hair regrowth within 4 months with ongoing mindfulness therapy referrals.