At RESTORE Hair we feel compelled to empower you with as much information as possible about hair loss and hair transplant price. We want you to get knowledge of all of your options, so please read on to discover the routes you can take in regard to hair restoration procedures. Unsurprisingly, one of the most important pieces of information for prospective patients to consider is hair transplant pricing, and we will do our best here to accurately educate you about the cost associated with hair transplant.
The cost of transplant is famously challenging to pinpoint in advance, and there is no simplified “one-size-fits-all” answer that can be easily articulated prior to a consultation for surgery. With that disclaimer in mind, typical transplants price range from $5,000 to $15,000 per procedure. This is due to a wide range of variables that are drastically different for every individual’s head of hair. While that range may be considered quite wide by some, it’s easy to understand the variation when we closely examine the factors that can influence the price of hair transplant so drastically.
Note: if you’re seeking a more concrete answer as opposed to generalities, we can gladly deliver a more personalized assessment to you. To initiate this process, please contact RESTORE Hair today to schedule your free virtual consultation! Keep in mind we also offer financing starting at $138 per month.
What Factors Influence Hair Transplant Pricing?
The five key variables that influence hair transplant cost include the following:
- The number of hairs being transplanted.
- The skill and experience of the doctor.
- The type of hair transplant being performed (FUE vs FUT).
- The geographic location of the procedure.
- Consultation fees and recovery costs.
Now let’s examine each of these key variables in greater detail.
The Number of Hairs or “Grafts” Being Transplanted
This is probably the most intuitive variable to understand. Simply put, the more hair you wish to move, the more it’s going to cost. According to a recent industry survey, the average FUE hair transplant procedure yields 1,956 transplanted grafts. However, men suffering from more advanced hair loss often choose to transplant more hair grafts, while men with mildly receding hairlines may require less grafts. Deciding on the number of grafts to be transplanted is typically a collaborative effort fueled by the patient’s desires as well as the doctor’s vision for that particular patient. The exact number of grafts is mutually agreed upon in advance during the consultation stage, with a higher number of grafts requiring more time from the Dr., thus amplifying the cost, but also bettering the results.
The Skill and Experience of the Doctor
We want you to feel empowered to make the best decision for you about your potential hair transplant procedure. However, if you choose to proceed with a hair transplant, we strongly recommend that you choose a highly reputable Dr. who specializes ONLY in hair transplant procedures. We have seen many men fall victim to the temptation of “cost cutting” by choosing an inexperienced hair loss Dr. for their procedure or, just as egregiously, a Dr. who is perpetually sidetracked by performing other cosmetic procedures. These situations can produce disastrous results, and this route of hair restoration is highly ill-advised. A hair transplant surgery can impact your self-image for the rest of your life, so it’s imperative to choose wisely. At RESTORE Hair, we ONLY perform hair transplants – all day, every day. Consequently our doctors are some of the best in the world and we consistently deliver elite results and amazing restoration. Yes – choosing a skilled doctor dedicated to hair restoration certainly costs more than choosing an unskilled doctor who is distracted by other procedures – and we do not shy away from that reality. But you will always rest assured knowing that your hair restoration results from RESTORE Hair will be magnificent.
The Type of Hair Transplant Being Performed
There are two types of hair transplant options: FUT and FUE. The older, more antiquated, and cheaper of the two methods is FUT, which stands for “follicular unit transplantation”. This is also commonly called the “strip” method. The strip method leaves a linear scar and requires cutting and stitching your head, which leads to a longer and slightly more painful recovery process. This is a more intense hair restoration surgery that lengthens recovery time. RESTORE Hair does not typically perform this more antiquated method of hair transplantation. Instead, we focus on the individual hair graft, or follicle.
The newer method is FUE, which stands for “follicular unit excision”. This procedure was FDA approved in 2011 and it delivers more desirable results for most patients. However, FUE hair is also more expensive than the strip method. The primary advantages of FUE hair transplantation is that it doesn’t produce a linear scar, it requires no cutting or stitching, and it has a more tolerable recovery period than typical restoration methods. The reason that FUE pricing is more expensive than FUT pricing is a matter of resourcing. Very simply, performing an FUE restoration procedure requires more time and effort from the doctor than a strip procedure. This is because performing an FUE surgery is very meticulous and requires sustained levels of high concentration to harvest grafts. During FUE restoration surgery, the doctor must “thread the needle” and individually remove thousands of follicles or grafts from your donor area side one by one, as opposed to removing them all at once via a strip. The donor area is typically a fuller area of hair on your head, not your body as some may believe.
The Geographic Location of the Doctor
A hair transplant surgery in the United States is going to cost more than a hair transplant in Sri Lanka. Clearly this is an extreme example, but the same logic applies within the United States as well, as states like California and New York are typically costlier than more rural states.
Another interesting truth regarding location is that the world’s best hair transplant doctors usually migrate toward larger cities. This is because large cities have more potential patients to serve. For example, an elite doctor in his prime will be able to perform more surgeries in Chicago or Dallas as opposed to a small town. Therefore, you will always pay more for a surgery with a renowned doctor in a large city as opposed to an unproven doctor in a rural area with a low population.
If you do live in a rural area, or even a small city, please use due diligence when researching hair transplant pricing in your region and try to avoid being seduced by exorbitantly low prices. Your future self will thank you for it! It’s important to trust the best doctors in the world rather than risking something as important as your image and self-esteem just to save a few dollars. You could end up with more loss than you began with. This is exactly why RESTORE Hair serves men from all over the country and the world – it’s important to get this hair loss procedure done right!
Consultation Fees and Recovery Costs
Another variable in hair transplant’s cost is the consultation fee. These fees are often dependent on the education, reputation, and skill of the doctor. Surgeons with high success rates and those who are considered the best by their peers and/or patients will often charge high consultation fees. However, at RESTORE Hair, we are successful enough and profitable enough from our procedures that we have eliminated this barrier from the process. We do NOT charge for the initial consultation for transplants, even though our doctors are some of the best in the world. Also, your consultation can be done virtually, via webcam, which makes the process very easy for you.
Lastly, another cost may be found in some mild hair transplant recovery methods. Recovery costs could be analgesic medications used to relieve pain, anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce scalp inflammation, over-the-counter medications to soothe the skin, and/or prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infections on the donor/recipient sites. These vary widely on a case by case basis, as some people are more tolerant of mild pain than others, and some people heal more quickly than others. This can also depend on surgery type.
Is Hair Transplant Surgery Covered by Insurance?
The answer to this question is very simple – no. Hair transplants are considered cosmetic, and we’ve never heard of an instance where insurance paid for the procedure. But trust us – it’s still worth it!
We do understand that the lack of hair transplant insurance coverage is an obstacle for many. Consequently RESTORE offers a financing plan that starts from $138 per month. This plan makes it highly affordable for everyone to get an elite, life-altering restoration surgery from one of the world’s best and most experienced doctors.
Conclusion:
The cost of hair transplant surgery varies widely – it is heavily influenced by individual needs as well as the high levels of variability between surgeons. Hair restoration cost is highly personalized. If you’re still concerned about the price of a hair transplant, the best thing to do is take action by scheduling a free virtual consultation. RESTORE Hair will gladly review your hair loss personally and deliver a customized quote tailored to you, without any of the ambiguity.
Contact us today and we’ll gladly get you scheduled for your free consultation! Good luck in your hair transplant surgery journey.
