Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Getting a Hair Transplant

how much does a hair transplant cost

Finding effective solutions can be extremely stressful and costly for people suffering from alopecia. There is a wide range of options available in the market, like lasers, injections, and potions, but none of them are effective. In this regard, hair transplant is another tried and effective method that can help in actually regrowing hair. 

When a person thinks of a hair transplant, different questions come to mind, like how much does it cost? Or who can have a hair transplant? Or what are the side effects of hair transplants? Is a hair transplant worth it? Here is an article with everything about hair transplants. 

What is Hair Transplant?

Hair transplant surgery is the process that includes taking from the back on any other side of the scalp and then transplanting them into the bald areas. Once the hairs are inserted, they continue to grow throughout the patient’s lifetime. 

Robert Bernstein introduced one of the best hair transplant methods. He discovered that when bundles of naturally-occurring hairs known as follicular units are transplanted, they provide better and more natural results. 

In this hair transplantation process, the scalp of the patient is numbed using anesthesia, and then the skin’s strip is removed from the donor area. Then they are microscopically dissected into thousands of grafts, and each strip comprises a single follicular unit. After this, tiny holes are punctured into the balding area, and follicular unit grafts are inserted. 

How much does a hair transplant cost?

The cost of hair transplantation can vary between $2500 to $50,000. In the US, the average cost of a hair transplant is around $10,000 to $15,000. The ultimate cost of a hair transplant depends on the city in which the transplant will occur. Other factors that affect the cost of a hair transplant include the surgeon’s experience, hospital reputation, an ancillary treatment that might be involved, and the number of grafts that would be needed for a specific patient. The cost of a hair transplant can vary greatly because of these factors. 

Who can have a Hair Transplant?

Every person is not an ideal candidate for the process of hair transplantation. To be the right candidate for hair transplantation, the person must have androgenetic alopecia, which means that the person should have genetic hair loss issues. In addition to this, the person should also have enough donor hair to attain hair goals. 

The hair transplantation process can also be used for people having forms of scarring alopecia. It is the situation in which hair loss is caused due to scarring. 

Anyone might have a head full of hair, but they cannot attain maximum results if they do not have a donor’s hair. For instance, if anyone has diffuse hair loss, it might not have safe donor areas if the hair falls out due to stress. In addition to this, patients with unstable scarring alopecias should not opt for hair transplantation unless the issue has been quiet for around two years. The patient needs to understand that this disease can recur. 

Recovery Process

You can expect a certain level of discomfort during the period of recovery. Recovery is similar to that of some major dental procedures. This level of discomfort and pain can be managed with the help of postoperative pain medication. You need to understand that every patient is different and has different tolerance related to discomfort. After surgery, you might have some swelling in the temple region and forehead.

Side Effects

Hair transplant surgery is considered a safe procedure. Patients might experience swelling and some changes in the sensitivity present on their scalps. There might be some temporary shedding of hair in the area which has been treated. 

Like other surgeries, infection is also possible in this surgery. However, the excellent blood supply in the scalp reduces the possibility of this infection. 

Alternatives for Hair Transplant

Certain alternatives are effective, and they are worth giving a try. Below mentioned are some alternatives to hair transplantation.

  • Medical treatment, including hormone modulators such as dutasteride, finasteride, or spironolactone. 
  • Exosome Therapy. It is the latest treatment process in this domain, and it is highly promising.
  • Platelet Rich Plasma treatment. The results in the method vary based on the technique and the provider. 
  • SMP. The process involves temporary micro-pigmentation to mimic hair stubble. 

Before opting for hair transplant surgery, it is a good idea to try the above-mentioned alternative treatments. If you are not satisfied with the result and planning to opt for hair transplant surgery, then you should properly research the hair transplant surgery. You should also research thoroughly before choosing a surgeon. In addition to this, Make sure to opt for a fully qualified and well-trained surgeon. It is essential to be fully informed about all the aspects associated with the surgery procedure. Moreover, choose a board-certified physician.

A hair transplant is, no doubt, an expensive procedure. If you have sufficient funds and you have finally decided to invest in the process of a hair transplant, then it would be better to take some time to do your research. 

Rashmi