How Much Does A Hair Transplant Cost?
Introduction
Hair transplant is a type of surgery that moves hair you already have to fill an area with no or thin hair.
This minimally invasive procedure has been carried out in the US since the 1950s and is typically used for male pattern baldness, a condition that occurs as hormone levels change over a man’s lifetime.
An estimated 50% of all men over the age of 50 are affected by male pattern baldness to some extent, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).
In the last decade, the number of women looking for hair transplant has been on the rise. According to Carlos K. Wesley, a hair restoration surgeon in NYC:
“In our practice, about 27% of our surgical patients are female. A large percentage of women wish to lower their hairline or even give the illusion of lowering their hairline by increasing the hair density surrounding their face.”
Carlos K. Wesley later added:
”Adding healthy hair follicles throughout the part line can also provide a profound cosmetic improvement in women with hair thinning atop their head.”
Types of Hair Transplant
The two most common types of hair transplant surgery available on the market are FUE and FUT.
FUE stands for follicular unit excision. FUE involves individual follicular extraction in which follicles are removed within a small circular punch that is less than a millimeter in diameter. If you opt for this procedure, you won’t be left with a linear scar on the donor region of your scalp.
This procedure requires the surgeon to possess higher skill sets in order to perform the procedure successfully.
FUT stands for follicular unit transplantation. This procedure involves removing an entire strip of hair from a “donor area” where hair growth is still thick, and hair fall is less.
Note – FUE is newer, however, both types have merit, and both should be considered.
Other types of hair transplant include:
Mini/Micro Grafts
Mini and micro grafts are hair transplant methods that involve the removal of thin strips of hair-bearing skin from the donor site.
Note – both procedures are rarely used in hair transplantation.
Punch Graft
It works by removing a portion of skin that bears hair from a donor area. This portion of the skin usually contains 12 to 30 individual strands of hair.
Note – this procedure was the most popular method of hair transplantation for over two decades.
How Much Does A Hair Transplant Cost?
The price of a hair transplant will depend largely on the amount of hair you are moving, however, it usually ranges from $4,500 to $16,000.
Factors that affect the cost include:
Travel Costs
Many people may need to travel long distances to find a suitably qualified surgeon, which can add to the overall cost.
How Much Hair You Want To Be Transplanted
Wanting a few patches added will cost substantially less than wanting to increase hair across the entire scalp.
Location
Competition typcially affects price, therefore, places with relatively few hair transplant surgeons may be more expensive. Also, in areas where the cost of living is high, surgery costs may be significantly greater.
The Skill Of Your Surgeon
If your surgeon is considered to be one of the best, they may charge more.
Tip – it is important to research the treatment and the surgeon carefully.
The Type Of Hair Transplant Procedure
There are two main hair transplant procedures called follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). Each has a different cost.
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7 Celebrities with Hair Transplants
A number of famous names have gone public about having a transplant. Some of the celebrities are:
#1 James Nesbitt
Nesbitt is a TV actor who is best known for starring in the 2012 film ”The Hobbit.”
The actor underwent two hair transplants at Dublin’s HRBR clinic. During an interview, James declared:
“Several years ago, I began losing my hair and like a lot of men it was a major concern to me, in fact, it was practically an obsession.”
Nesbitt later added:
”Since then I have had two hair transplants and I am very pleased with the results. In fact, I’d go as far as to say they’ve changed my life.”
#2 Robbie Williams
The singing star has admitted to having had a hair transplant, despite, in his own words – ”not needing one.”
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#3 Jason Donovan
While talking about his latest television gig as a celebrity on Strictly Come Dancing (a show where celebrities pair up with professional dancers to compete in a ballroom dancing competition), Donovan revealed that the hair transplant had been successful and he’s really happy with the results.
#4 Calum Best
He had a 3rd hair transplant in 2015 before his ”Celebrity Big Brother” appearance. Best said:
“It was nature’s plan was for me to have thin and patchy hair across the top of my scalp. But the great thing is, we don’t have to follow nature’s plan.”
Calum continued:
”Hair transplant technology has improved so much in the last five years and I have been able to keep hold of all my hair and wear it in the same way as I did when I was in my teens.”
#5 John Travolta
Travolta admitted to having a hair transplant.
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#6 Wayne Rooney
He is an English professional football player who is one of two English players who won the FA Cup, Premier League, League Cup, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Europa League.
In 2011, Rooney underwent a transplant. Wayne shared the news on Twitter by posting:
“Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25 why not. I’m delighted with the result.”
Rooney continued:
“It’s still a bit bruised and swollen when it dies down u will be first to see it. Anyone recommend any good hair gel. Haha.”
#7 Matthew McConaughey
McConaughey is an American actor and producer. Before being crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2005, he underwent a hair transplant.
References https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352587817300372 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3884886/