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HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU PAY FOR A HAIR TRANSPLANT?

Written by Menswear Style in Hair on the 29th March 2022

Hair loss is a huge concern for many people around the world. And it’s a lot more common than people realise. According to studies, 42% of men between 18 and 49 years old suffer from extensive hair loss. This leads to low confidence, lack of identity and can even cause anxiety and depression if left untreated. As a result, more people than ever are seeking hair transplants and other hair restoration treatments. The booming popularity of hair transplants has given rise to a number of clinics offering budget transplants at too-good-to-be-true prices. These underqualified or inexperienced clinics can put patients at risk of ineffective procedures that ultimately cost them a lot more to fix. So how much should you be paying for your hair transplant, exactly? And what else do you need to consider when it comes to finding a quality, reputable clinic that will give you the results you want?

The average cost of a hair transplant in the UK?

The Wimpole Clinic recently surveyed 104 clinics across the UK to get a clear idea of what a hair transplant should cost. They found that the average cost of a hair transplant in the UK was £4,820. Using the same photos and requesting the same desired result from all clinics, they also found that:

- Quotes for the same procedure ranged from £1,000 to £15,000

- Some clinics inflated the transplant graft quote to justify their high prices

- There was no correlation between the cost of a transplant and a surgeon’s experience

- 87% of clinics offered a free consultation

These results show a huge disparity in hair transplant value around the UK. On top of this, there was a huge gulf in the number of grafts quoted for the procedure, which is also really important when understanding hair transplant costs.

Calculating the cost of your hair transplant

The way that clinics work out the costs of hair transplants varies. In general, it depends on a few factors. These include:

The number of grafts: grafts are small groups of follicles that are taken from the back of the head and placed in incisions in the area affected by hair loss. The highest number of grafts recommended for this procedure was 3000. Transplants for this amount of hair loss usually require 500-1500 grafts.

The area of coverage: whether it’s your front, temple, crown, or any combination of these areas, the price is naturally going to vary.

The type of procedure: there are two types of hair transplant available: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). FUE is typically more expensive than FUT.

The difference between FUE and FUT costs

FUE costs: FUE uses the latest hair transplant technology. It’s a complex procedure that involves extracting and transplanting tiny groups of follicles. This makes it a more expensive procedure, but it’s less invasive and therefore more popular. An FUE doesn’t cause a permanent scar in the way an FUT does, so it’s the better option for those who wear their hair short.

FUT costs: FUT is an older, less refined hair transplant method. It involves removing strips of skin from the donor area, slicing them up into small follicle groupings, and implanting them in small incisions. FUT is typically cheaper than FUE, since the procedure takes less time to complete, but it usually results in some scarring and a longer recovery time.

Does more expensive mean better?

Some people think that the more you pay, the better the quality of the overall product will be when it comes to hair transplants. This has an element of truth to it, but it’s definitely not as black and white as that. The Wimpole Clinic found that there was no correlation between a surgeon’s experience and the price of a hair transplant. That means it’s definitely not necessary to pay £15,000 for a procedure that costs less than £5,000 on average. Instead, you need to understand the factors behind the price you’re being quoted — the number of grafts you need, the aftercare you’ll receive, and the type of procedure you choose. Cheap hair transplants are also a warning sign. Some budget clinics don't deliver the finest product — which can cause patients to pay more in the long run.

Is your hair transplant quote too good to be true?

Sadly, there’s been a rise in bad quality hair transplants over the past few years. There’s a scale of poor clinics, ranging from inexperienced all the way through to completely unlicensed. People with low confidence and low budgets can be taken advantage of by these shady businesses, leading to disastrous consequences. The worst-case scenario is that a procedure is completely ineffective — and future treatment becomes impossible because of overharvested follicles. Other complications can be heavy scarring, infections, or exacerbated hair loss because of poor treatment. It can be risky to go abroad for a cheaper hair transplant, too. Medical tourism is on the rise — and it can have nasty implications, such as weak health and safety regulations that result in infection or failed transplants. The most reputable clinics will show details of their surgeons on their websites. They don’t tend to charge more if they do this, but it’s often the case that fewer issues with quality will arise when you know who your surgeon will be.

Choosing the right hair transplant clinic

A hair transplant doesn’t have to break the bank but opting for a cheap transplant can ultimately cost you more in the long run. Consulting with multiple clinics to find the right team, surgeon, and price point is vital to ensuring you get the best value for money. There are all sorts of things you can do if you’re worried about the cost of a hair transplant. A lot of clinics offer finance options, for example. Make sure you reach out for a consultation so you can run this through with the provider if you are worried. Find out more about how to choose a high-quality hair transplant at the right price in the Wimpole Clinic’s 2022 hair transplant cost analysis.