Hair loss can happen for a variety of reasons. While some are happy to live with hair loss, hair transplant surgery can provide a natural-looking solution for those who desire it. More than two million people worldwide underwent hair restoration procedures in 2021, with more than 600,000 of them opting for surgical hair transplants.1
Let's dive into the different types of hair transplant procedures and what they cost.
What Is a Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that relocates healthy hair to areas where hair is missing. It can be used to treat permanent hair loss caused by:
- Aging
- Medical conditions, such as alopecia
- Radiation, surgery and other medical procedures and treatments
- Injuries, such as burns and scarring
Hair transplants can be performed on anyone, regardless of gender. You may be a candidate for a hair transplant if you have healthy hair growth at the sides and back of your head, that can be used as donor hair.2
It can be used to restore hair not just to the scalp, but also to the face — including eyelashes, eyebrows and mustaches — as well as other parts of the body. The hair used for a hair transplant comes from other areas of your head where there is healthy hair growth.2
Types of Hair Transplants
There are two different methods available for removing hair for transplanting:
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
1. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
FUT procedures are also sometimes referred to as “strip" because it involves removing a strip of skin with hair follicles from the healthy donor area of your scalp. The hair follicles are then carefully removed from the strip of skin and implanted into the desired area.3
2. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE uses a tiny round punch instrument to remove individual hair follicles from the healthy donor area of your scalp without removing a strip of skin.3
Hair Transplant Cost
The average cost of a hair transplant is $7,425, though some plastic surgeons say the price can go as high as $25,000.
The primary reason for the dramatic price range of hair transplants is the number of grafts needed to achieve the desired result. The number of grafts can vary significantly depending on the size of the area being treated.
For some perspective, 800 to 1,500 grafts are typically recommended to fill in a receding hairline, with an extra 150 per side if you're also doing the temporal points.4 At a cost of $2 and $10 per graft, the total cost of a hair transplant can really add up!
The extraction technique used also matters, with FUE generally being more costly than FUT. The technology used can also differ depending on the surgeon, with some choosing to harvest hair using robotic surgical machines and using either robotic or traditional surgery for grafting.5
Other factors that can impact the cost of hair transplant include:5
- Geographical location
- Your surgeon's experience and fee
- Pre- and post-op appointments
- Anesthesia fees
- Medication or supplies for your recovery period, if any
Average Price of a Hair Transplant in the U.S.5
State | Average Cost | Cost Range |
---|---|---|
Arizona | $11,112 | $9,100 to $12,999 |
California | $12,094 | $5,900 to $20,000 |
Connecticut | $9,833 | $6,999 to $12,500 |
Florida | $6,742 | $5,000 to $9,500 |
Georgia | $9,872 | $6,000 to $13,500 |
Illinois | $8,000 | $6,000 to $10,000 |
Maryland | $7,533 | $5,001 to $9,599 |
New Jersey | $12,333 | $11,000 to $15,000 |
New York | $7,849 | $4,499 to $10,000 |
North Carolina | $11,333 | $9,000 to $15,000 |
Ohio | $9,000 | $4,000 to $13,500 |
Oregon | $7,166 | $4,000 to $9,500 |
Pennsylvania | $6,750 | $3,500 to $10,000 |
Texas | $8,255 | $4,800 to $15,000 |
Utah | $9,638 | $6,000 to $15,555 |
Does Insurance Cover Hair Transplants?
Hair transplant surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore is not typically covered by insurance, even when used for hair loss due to a medical condition or medication. That said, it doesn't cost anything to check with your insurance provider, just in case.
How to Pay for a Hair Transplant
Hair transplants are expensive, but you have a few options for financing the procedure. When booking your consultation with a plastic surgeon or dermatologist, ask what financing options are available. Some providers offer payment plans so you can spread out the cost of your procedure.
CareCredit Financing for Hair Transplants
When getting a hair transplant or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.
Author Bio
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today, and more.