Hair loss has become a common issue that you might face at some point in time as you age. It is much more prevalent in males when compared to females. More than 50% of the males face severe hair loss, hair thinning and bald patches as soon as they touch 50 [1]. Some people face it even before experiencing acute hair loss in their 20s and 30s, which is why hair transplants are an effective solution. The hair transplant procedure is gaining immense popularity in recent times. It is more effective than other hair restoration treatments. It delivers permanent and natural-looking hair, irrespective of the reasons behind the hair loss.
What Is Hair Transplantation?
Hair transplantation is the latest procedure performed by extracting the hair follicles from a healthy side of your scalp named the donor section. These hairs are then implanted it in the bald patches or areas with scanty hair growth. Your dermatologist or hair transplant surgeon would extract the hair follicle from your side or back part of the scalp to move them towards the front for developing a natural hairline and covering the bald spots.
Investing in this hair transplant procedure is a worthy investment, as you will have a natural hairline with permanent hair with good density. This procedure is a simple invasive procedure that is performed with local anesthesia. You will notice tiny clusters of hair growth in the follicle site and these follicular units’ growth has a vital role in making your hairline look natural.
Average Hair Transplant Costs in India
The average hair transplant cost in India is purely dependent on the number of grafts that you would require for complete coverage in the bald patches. A single graft is priced between Rs. 20 and Rs. 200, as one graft may contain up to 3 hair follicles. The approximate cost of a hair transplant in India may range between Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1,30,000, not including taxes.
Average Hair Transplant Cost Across Major Cities
Here’s a brief of the average cost of hair transplant procedures for major cities in India:
| City | Average Cost (for 1000 grafts) |
|---|---|
| Delhi | INR 60,000 – 1,00,000 |
| Mumbai | INR 70,000 – 1,20,000 |
| Bangalore | INR 75,000 – 1,25,000 |
| Hyderabad | INR 60,000 – 1,10,000 |
| Chennai | INR 70,000 – 1,20,000 |
| Kolkata | INR 60,000 – 1,00,000 |
Cost Based on Type of Hair Transplant Procedure
There are primarily two types of hair transplant procedures:
| Procedure Type | Average Cost (per graft) |
|---|---|
| FUT | INR 20 – 180 |
| FUE | INR 30 – 200 |
Note: The cost indicated is approximate and for informational purposes only. Consult the haircare clinic for accurate estimates.
Types of Hair Transplantation Procedure
1. FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction
This method is ideal for individuals who wish to opt for graft insertion of about 800 to 1200 grafts in smaller patches. This process involves extracting specific follicular units and inserting them in the hair-thinning sections. The hair transplant method doesn’t involve any scars or sutures, but it requires you to stay patient to see visible differences in the specific scalp sites. Plus, the healing process is swift with low pain, as it is a minimally invasive procedure.
2. FUT or Follicular Unit Transplantation
During the FUT process [2], a skin strip filled with healthy hair is removed usually from the donor area, which is the scalp sides or from the back and later it undergoes microsurgical segmentation. The hair follicles are carefully separated from the skin strip and the grafts are inserted into the already prepared micro slits present in the scalp’s recipient site.
During this process, up to 4000 grafts can be inserted in a single session. It is considered an effective method of hair transplant, as the transplanted grafts possess a high rate of survival and have a low wastage ratio [3]. It is a quick hair transplant process and is highly popular across the world.
3. DHT or Direct Hair Transplantation
DHT is a globally accepted method of hair transplant, as it is very safe and painless without any unsightly incisions or scars. It is a slightly modified version of the FUE technique that is performed by an expert hair surgeon using an implanter pen to perform the task of extraction and implantation simultaneously. It is perfect for people suffering from androgenic alopecia or pattern hair loss.
Factors Influencing Hair Transplant Cost
1. Technique Used
Both FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) are effective methods of hair transplants for men and women. However, your dermatologist would tell you which method would be suitable to treat your baldness. When comparing the two, the FUE method is on the pricier side, as it would have a team of hair surgeons perform the follicular units’ extraction and transplantation in specific areas on the scalp.
If you are choosing the services of an advanced skin clinic, then they would recommend DHI or Direct Hair Implantation, as the extracted hair follicles will be implanted straight into your scalp based on your natural hair’s growth direction. This procedure gives a good angle and depth to assure a perfect naturally-looking hairline.
2. Number of Grafts Required
The number of grafts you might be needing is one of the major determinants that influence the cost of your hair transplant. Consult your hair surgeon to decide how many grafts will be required. The table below tells the approximate number of grafts an individual might need based on the Norwood Scale. It is the most accurate method to identify the extent of baldness among males.
| Stage of Baldness | Number of Grafts Needed |
|---|---|
| Grade 7 | 2500 to 3200 |
| Grade 6 | 2400 to 3000 |
| Grade 5A | 2200 to 2800 |
| Grade 5 | 2000 to 2500 |
| Grade 4A | 1800 to 2500 |
| Grade 4 | 1400 to 2300 |
| Grade 3A | 1500 to 1900 |
| Grade 2A | 1100 to 1500 |
| Grade 2 | 1500 to 1800 |
| Grade 1 | 700 to 1200 |
3. Clinic Location
If you are availing the hair transplant services from a reputed skin clinic located in posh locality, it would influence the hair transplantation cost. However, if you are choosing a skin care centre located in a not-so-popular locality, it can affect the quality of hair transplant services.
4. Additional Services and Facilities
You can avail the following additional facilities and services if you choose a renowned skin care clinic:
- Safe Procedures: A renowned skin care clinic will follow strict protocols to assure 100% safety.
- Grafts Reliability: You can stay assured of a more than 90% rate of graft viability while the average rate maintained by the rest are at 50%.
- Painless Procedures: As the hair transplant procedure is performed by applying local anesthesia, you will be pain-free throughout the process.
- Scar-free: Expert hair surgeons choose only healthy hair follicles that can grow well until one’s lifetime. So, after implantation, you can be assured of having natural and healthy hair that would even follow your greying cycle as you age.
- Natural and Long-lasting: The expert hair clinic you choose will be eminent in performing hair transplantation procedures. They are knowledgeable to implant at the perfect placement angle, growth direction and depth to achieve optimum results.
Choosing the Right Clinic and Surgeon
- Check the hair surgeon’s credibility and success rate by researching his or her profile online to get an idea about the expertise.
- Know more about the medical team in the skin clinic you wish to avail of hair transplant services. Go for the clinic that has a team of experienced hair surgeons to stay assured of positive outcomes.
- When visiting a skin and hair centre, ensure they have a friendly approach and are eager to share all vital information about the hair transplant procedure to clear all your doubts. They must maintain open communication and have a transparent process.
- Check what type of latest hair transplant technology they use and the type of implanter pen used for every hair transplantation type to stay assured of their service.
Financing Options and Insurance Coverage
Though you cannot get insurance coverage for hair transplant procedures, several financing options offered by banks and private financial institutions will allow you to pay the hair transplant costs in EMIs. Please talk to an expert at Kolors Healthcare and we would guide you through the process.
References
- Leila Asfour, MBChB BSc MRCP (Derm), Sinclair Dermatology, Australia – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278957/
- https://www.healthline.com/
- Department of Dermatology, University of Louisville Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2956960/
Hair Transplantation Cost FAQs
Are there additional costs to consider for a hair transplant?
Yes, there might be additional costs. Some of them might include –
- Medications
- Pre and post-procedure consultations
- Follow-up visits
- Costs related to any potential complications
- Additional treatments if required
What is the difference in cost between FUT and FUE procedures?
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) are the 2 primary methods for hair transplants. FUE is more expensive than FUT as it is a time-consuming and labor-intensive procedure.
Is India a good country for hair transplants?
Hair transplant procedures are cheaper in India than in many Western countries like the United States or the UK.
Is DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) and DHT (Direct Hair Transplantation) both same? Why DHT is preferred over other hair transplantation.