How Much Does A Hair Transplant Cost?

Content Reviewed by AEDIT Medical Advisory Board

What is the average cost of a hair transplant?

The average cost of a hair transplant procedure is between $1,000 to $20,000, but there are other possible expenses (more on them below!) that should be reviewed when considering a transplant.

• Average Cost of a Hair Transplant: $8,000
• Price Range for Hair Transplant: $1,000 - $20,000

Candidates considering a hair transplant may find it useful to understand the factors that contribute to the overall cost of a hair transplant. The table below offers an outline of potential factors that will contribute to the final transplant cost.

Factors to Consider in the Total Cost of a Hair Transplant

What are the types of hair transplant techniques?

So, you’re tired of bald spots or hair thinning? Then it’s time to figure out what types of hair transplant procedures are available. Regardless of if your hair loss is from a medical condition like alopecia or over-plucking, hair transplants can be broken down into two main categories: manual transplants like follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and robotic transplants like ARTAS robotic hair transplant and Neograft .

These procedures vary by technique. Both FUT and FUE remove hair grafts from a donor site or donor area and transplant them into the desired area for a permanent, natural solution. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) may leave a visible scar as it takes a strip of donor hair from the back of the head. It is not, therefore, recommended for those with short hair. FUT also has more side effects and longer downtime. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is generally believed to leave less noticeable scarring, however, it is a longer procedure with more risk of suboptimal results.

Our robotic friends ARTAS robotic hair transplant and Neograft provide advanced technology to streamline the transplant process and reduce risks of provider fatigue and error. These procedures generally cost more and are not appropriate for some candidates.

From a cost perspective, FUT and FUE hair transplantation are typically similar in cost, though FUE may be slightly more expensive. Robotic transplants usually cost more. In general, hair transplants are priced on a per follicle basis. More follicles means more transplanted hair and higher cost. The average cost of a hair follicle in the U.S. is difficult to average, as is the number of follicles an individual will need, which is why we will mostly report cost based on the entire procedure rather than per individual hair follicle.

What affects the cost of a hair transplant?

Let’s deep dive the variables from the first table. Friendly reminder, the information provided in this article is an estimate. Provider consultations will always create the most accurate assessment of the cost of your hair transplant.

All that being said, the following information can help you get an idea of the questions to ask and factors to consider when going into a consultation so you can feel empowered and informed throughout your cosmetic experience.

• Procedure Type: FUT is slightly less expensive than FUE. Robotic procedures like ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant and Neograft are usually more expensive than FUT and FUE.
• Provider: A more experienced, board certified plastic surgeon or specialized provider typically charges more for their expertise. This can cause higher consultation fees (that may or may not be applied as a credit towards the cost of the transplant) and a higher procedure cost.
• Anesthesiologist: General anesthesia is typically not used in a hair transplant, but, just as an FYI, general anesthesia requires more expertise and is more expensive than local anesthesia. Local anesthetics do not need to be administered by an anesthesiologist.
• Location: The 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Report breaks procedure occurrences down by region. The coasts accounted for 44 percent of all hair transplants performed in 2020. The central U.S. made up the remaining 56 percent. Given the generally consistent distribution of hair transplants across the country, costs may not vary as considerably due to location in contrast to other cosmetic procedures where the coasts are significantly more costly.
• Recovery: Hair transplant recovery will vary by procedure type. Recovery time may include prescriptions, recovery garments, follow ups, and missed work.

The most appropriate hair transplant technique for a candidate will be dependent on their individual needs. The table below provides an overview specific to each hair transplant type.

Types of Hair Transplants and the Impact on Cost

What does the cost of a hair transplant include?

We’ve covered some basics and reviewed the different types of hair transplants. Are you still curious about what the price of a hair transplant truly includes? We can help.

The cost of the time the surgeon spends performing the hair transplant procedure is usually what gets quoted as the ‘average cost’ or ‘surgeon’s fee.’ The following is not an exact comparison, but it’s essentially the hourly rate of your provider. Your provider has their own business expenses like payroll, office rent, professional insurance, and office/medical supplies. This is on top of their personal salary.

Hair transplant costs creep up as additional factors are added. The other medical staff in the room during your transplant (like an anesthesiologist, nurses, or surgical assistants), the tools and supplies used during your hair transplant (needles, gauze, gowns, gloves, etc.), medications before, during, and after your hair transplant (sedatives, painkillers, and/or antibiotics), and the fee for using the facility’s operating or procedure room.

Another thing to be mindful of is the personal expenses you will accumulate as you go about your hair transplant experience. These may include consultation fees with providers you are interviewing, travel costs, pre-operative care, missed work, and recovery supplies you choose to personally purchase.

How much does a hair transplant cost?

Ok, let’s talk about real numbers. This table provides cost range estimates by specific hair transplant procedure type. These estimates include all of the variables we discussed — minus your personal expenses. The ranges are, yes, wide-ranging, but they can give you an idea of which hair transplant types are generally more costly.

Average Hair Transplant Cost by Procedure Type

How much does a hair transplant cost across the United States?

It’s all about location! In case we haven’t emphasized it enough, location is a major factor in the overall cost of any cosmetic procedure. As stated above, the 2020 ASPS Report breaks procedures down by regions. In 2020, the coasts accounted for 44 percent of all hair transplants and the central U.S. accounted for the remaining 56 percent.

The table below breaks down costs in major cities across the U.S.

Average Hair Transplant Cost by City and State

How much does a hair transplant cost around the world?

For those considering pursuing a hair transplant abroad, the following table compares average cost ranges in a few select countries. PSA: factor in travel expenses, consider the reputation of the provider and facility, and add in the additional costs related to recovery times when comparing costs. The table below reflects costs converted to U.S. dollars.

Average Hair Transplant Cost by Country in USD

Does insurance cover the cost of a hair transplant?

To wrap things up let’s ask the question on everyone’s mind: does insurance cover a hair transplant? The answer is maybe. To help answer actually answer this question, let’s review two definitions from the American Medical Association (AMA):

• Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures for reshaping normal structures for improved appearance and self-esteem.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Procedures performed on abnormal body structures resulting from congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, disease, infection, or tumors.

To summarize: Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance. Reconstructive surgeries may be. In the case of a hair transplant, there is not often a functional indication for performing the procedure. This makes it a cosmetic procedure and insurance is not going to assist with or cover costs.

In certain unique cases, individuals may be pursuing a hair transplant following hair loss secondary to a medical condition or medication. Some ‘cosmetic procedures’ may be covered if the patient’s medical provider has sufficient documentation of medical necessity and evidence that alternative therapies failed. The ASPS has more detailed criteria you can review with a provider during consultation.

And one final caveat: Hybrid procedures (i.e. ones that are both aesthetic and functional) are not necessarily covered despite the functional benefit. Unless you have a consistently proven and documented medical condition, your hair transplant will not be covered.