How much does a hair transplant cost?
Plenty of products promise to increase volume, or help you grow more hair. But most aren’t all that effective. The best way to add or increase hair to an area is with a hair transplant.
But how much does a hair transplant cost? There’s not a clear cut, simple answer to this question. Both treatment and the recovery come at a price, and both have multiple factors that will affect the total cost of the transplant.
How much the treatment costs
The cost of a hair transplant is highly variable on a number of different factors, and typically ranges anywhere from $ 2,200 to $ 5,800. These costs are often all out of pocket. Most insurance companies consider hair transplant a cosmetic procedure.
The cost of hair transplants is dependent on many different factors. These include:
Where you live: The relative cost of living in the area and the number of nearby surgeons offering the procedure can affect what a surgeon charges.
The type of procedure you choose: There are two different types of hair transplants: slit grafts and micrografts. Each has a different cost.
The skill of your surgeon: This is a common correlation: If your surgeon is considered to be one of the best, they may charge more. At the same time, higher rates don’t always mean superior skill, so do your research carefully.
How much hair you want transplanted: Wanting a few patches added will cost significantly less than wanting to increase hair across the entire scalp.
Travel costs: This isn’t something that your doctor will charge, but it’s still a cost you should consider. Sometimes you have to travel far to find the best specialists, and you should consider these costs when deciding if you can afford the procedure.
How much it costs to recover from a hair transplant
In addition to treatment costs, there are several possible additional recovery costs that you should take into account. These include:
• pain medication during immediate recovery
• anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling at the surgical site
• antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection
If you experience any complications, the most common of which is infection, you’ll need to treat it. This can be a source of additional expense, including the costs for medications and doctor visits.
Alternatives to hair transplants
If you’re waiting for your hair transplant or unable to afford it, there are several nonsurgical alternatives you can use in the meantime. These remedies aren’t as effective, but they can help.
Alternatives to hair transplants include:
Minoxidil (Rogaine), which is available for purchase without a prescription. It can be used on both men and women.
Finasteride (Propecia) tablets, which can provide results in treating male and female pattern baldness between three to six months of continual use.
Low-level laser therapy, which can treat hair loss in both genders by stimulating cellular activity. It promotes hair retention and can strengthen weak hair.
The bottom line
There’s no doubt about it: Hair transplants don’t come at a small cost — especially considering they may not work as well as you’d like. If you have the funds and decide you want to invest in a hair transplant, take some time to do your research.
You can get multiple consultations to get an idea of cost and find the surgeon that’s right for you. Just remember that when it comes to cost that is affected by the skill of the surgeon, don’t skimp out. Hiring the right surgeon, even if more expensive, can help you get the best results possible.
Also keep in mind that, when it comes to initial treatment costs, many clinics may offer payment or financing plans to help make the treatment accessible to more people.
