The most searched terms for hair transplants in Google are all related to cost. Medical tourism is on the rise and is more popular than ever. People are no longer afraid to travel to get a good deal. But getting the cheapest procedure doesn't mean you're getting the best. The vast majority of people who research based on low-cost end up butchered and messed up with no hair to show for it. Don't make that same mistake. Keep reading.
Cost Per Graft
The majority of hair transplant surgeons around the world charge per graft. What is a graft? Well, a graft is a piece of hair-bearing tissue that is genetically resistant to the hormone DHT. DHT is responsible for causing genetic hair loss. The cost per graft varies from surgeon to surgeon and country to country.
The cost per graft can range anywhere from $1-12, again depending on the surgeon and the location. The price will vary depending on how many grafts you need to restore your hair. For example, if you're a bald Norwood 6, you're going to need a minimum of 6,000-7,000 grafts. Even if you go to a low-cost clinic, you're looking at spending a minimum of $6,000-7,000. Cheaper isn't always better. More on that later.
Another example, let's say you're a Norwood 2, and you only need 1,500 grafts to thicken and lower your hairline. Even if you were to go to a good surgeon who charges $5 per graft, your cost would be around $7,500. No one can tell you how much a hair transplant will cost until they review your pictures and discuss your goals with you in detail.
Cheaper is Not Always Better
There is a notion going around online that cheaper is always better. But this couldn't be further from the truth. Hair transplant surgeons/clinics are businesses, and like any business, there are overhead costs. The facility, surgeon's staff, equipment, all of that costs money. If you select a surgeon who's charging pennies per graft, they are most definitely cutting costs where it matters most.
For example, their staff wages, we all work hard and deserve to get paid a decent wage for our work. The more experience and value you have as an employee, the more compensation you deserve, common sense right. Unfortunately, at some of these low-cost hair mills the staff get paid nothing, they have little to no training, and the turnover rate is high. Why does this matter? Because there is no consistency or regulation.
If you go to one of these clinics that do 8-10 surgeries per day, who knows who will be doing the surgery that day, how long they've been doing surgery, and if something goes wrong- god help you. There have been reports on our forum the hair restoration network that some of these clinics re-use needles and don't sterilize their equipment. Given the global pandemic, is it worth risking your health? Ask yourself that.
How To Select A Good Doctor in Your Budget
Now that I've explained the many reasons why getting a dirt cheap hair transplant isn't the smartest idea. Let me explain how you should research and find a good doctor that is high quality and affordable. Quality and affordability are not mutually exclusive. There are good quality doctors out there that don't charge an arm and a leg. You have to research.
The best place to research hair restoration physicians/clinics for the past two decades has been online communities like the hair restoration network. The hair restoration network was created by and for patients to share reviews and experiences. There are reviews for doctors in every budget, from really high premium and elite hair transplant surgeons to inexpensive quality surgeons.
The first step is to register on the forum. The second step is to start asking questions and engaging in the community. Don't be afraid to use the advanced search page to look up specific costs, i.e., $1,2,3 per graft, etc. The most crucial factor to consider is not the actual cost but the quality of the results. Getting a bad hair transplant repaired will cost a lot more than getting a quality hair transplant at a reasonable price.
Conclusion
The best way to receive price quotes right now is through submitting virtual consultations. If there is one thing this global pandemic has taught us is that you can do anything online. The more surgeons you consult with, the better. We have made this process simple so that patients can submit multiple consultations at once. To schedule a free online consultation with one of our community-approved surgeons, click here.