How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost

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Hair loss affects 1 in 3 men and up to 1 in 4 women. The chance of hair loss increases with age.

A hair transplant, also known as surgical hair restoration, is a safe and long-lasting solution to hair loss. During hair transplant surgery, hair follicles are moved from parts of the head with more hair to areas that are balding or thinning. The transplanted hair follicles grow in these new spots, filling in thin or bald places.

This surgery can be effective for both male- and female-pattern baldness.

Below, we discuss how much these surgeries can cost.

What is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a procedure that takes healthy hair follicles from areas of the scalp or body and moves them to places on the scalp with thinning or no hair. Your doctor will remove hair follicles through tiny cuts. It's possible for hundreds or thousands of hairs to be transplanted in a single session. Some treatments may involve robotic surgery.

A surgical hair transplant can take 5 to 8 hours and often requires more than one session to achieve the desired results.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, most people see results in 6 to 9 months after surgery. But it can take up to a year to see the full results. It depends on whether the transplanted follicles survive being moved and how long it takes for transplanted hair to grow.

How much does a hair transplant typically cost?

According to a leading hair restoration company, most procedures cost $6,000 to $12,000 on average. But the cost can exceed $15,000, depending on how many grafts your surgery requires and other factors.

You may be charged for each service involved in your treatment, or you could have an all-inclusive package. Here are some price ranges from hair transplant centers across the U.S.

What factors affect the cost of hair transplants?

Your hair transplant cost can vary based on the details of your treatment. For instance, if you choose a surgeon outside your local area, you may need to add transportation and lodging costs.

Here are some factors that will affect the cost of your hair transplant surgery:

• Procedure type

• Number of grafts or amount of hair needed

• Number of sessions

• Where you have treatment

• Surgeon's expertise and skill

• Whether the treatment has an all-inclusive price

• Surgeon's consultation fee

• Facility fees

• Medications prescribed

• Travel, including transportation and lodging

Does insurance cover hair transplants?

No. Hair transplants are almost never covered by insurance because these surgeries are usually considered cosmetic procedures. In rare cases, insurance may cover hair transplant surgery for hair loss caused by a health condition.

Are there different types of hair transplants?

Yes. There are two main types of surgical hair transplants:

• Follicular unit transplant (FUT): A strip of skin with hair follicles is removed from a donor site of the scalp and placed on the bald area. This procedure takes less time, but your healing period may be longer and there is a higher likelihood of scarring. FUT may be a better option for patients with significant hair loss.

• Follicular unit extraction (FUE): Individual hair follicles are removed - usually from the back of the scalp - and transferred to the treatment area, often the hairline. The FUE procedure is more time consuming, but it doesn't require stitches and has a lower risk of scarring.

You can get both types of procedures, depending on your hair restoration goals. During a consultation, your doctor can recommend the best method based on your specific circumstances.

Who is a candidate for a hair transplant?

People of all genders who experience baldness - especially those ages 30 and older - can have successful outcomes from surgical hair transplants. The best candidates have healthy hair growth in other areas that can be used for the transplant.

Some hair transplant surgeons recommend the FUT procedure over FUE for most women. That's because women tend to lose hair from the center of their scalps, and FUT is better for restoring volume.

Who isn't a good candidate for hair transplant?

Individuals younger than 24 may be advised to manage hair loss with methods other than hair transplants until they are older. That's because hair loss is still developing in younger people. Waiting also prevents donor sites on their scalps from being overused if they pursue multiple hair transplant treatments over their lifespan.

Researchers also have found that, aside from age, certain other people are not good candidates for hair transplant. They include those who have:

• No hair from birth

• Poor hair quality or not enough hair to transplant

• Serious health conditions that increase their risk for complications from surgery

How long does a hair transplant last?

Hair transplant surgery is a permanent hair loss solution. Ideally, it will last the rest of your life. One small study found that less than 10% of patients experienced a "great reduction" in hair transplant density 4 years after FUT surgery. But results vary from person to person.

Is a hair transplant worth it?

It depends on your expectations and outcome. Hair transplants are considered minimally invasive. But as with any medical procedure, there are risks. They include:

• Death of the transplanted hair follicles

• Infection

• Scarring

• Excessive bleeding

• Poor results

What are alternatives to a hair transplant?

For those who don't want to commit to the intensity or price of a surgical hair transplant, there are alternatives. Some less invasive and more affordable options to treat hair loss include:

• Minoxidil: Known by the brand name Rogaine, this is a popular over-the-counter solution for hair loss. Topical minoxidil or Rogaine - available as a liquid or a foam - does not require a prescription. Both formulations are available over the counter. Over-the-counter generic Rogaine can cost less than $15 per month. Prescription minoxidil, an oral medication, also can be used as an off-label treatment for hair loss.

• Finasteride: This prescription-only medication, known by the brand name Propecia, may encourage hair regrowth in men. Finasteride is not FDA approved for use by women. It could cause birth defects for people who are pregnant. The medication is used off-label to treat hair loss in women. Insurance doesn't usually cover finasteride when it's prescribed for hair loss. Depending on your dose, you could pay $30 or less for a month's supply of tablets with GoodRx.

• Dutasteride: This prescription oral medication isn't FDA approved for hair loss, but dutasteride (Avodart) can be used for this purpose. In fact, some studies suggest that dutasteride is more effective than minoxidil and finasteride.

• Laser therapy: Low-level laser therapy can reverse early stage hair thinning or loss. There are several devices on the market for home use, but not all are FDA approved or proven to work.

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): This newer treatment may help with hair growth by using components from a blood sample for scalp injections. PRP can be painful and isn't covered by insurance.

• Microneedling: Small needle injections in the skin can promote hair growth by stimulating stem cells in the hair follicles. Microneedling is considered a cosmetic treatment, so it's not covered by insurance. Results can be significantly improved by combining microneedling with 5% minoxidil use or with PRP.

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