Hair Transplant Cost in India: Factors Influencing Cost

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 than in 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, so hair transplants are an effective solution. The hair transplant procedure has gained 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 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 to develop a natural hairline and cover 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 simple and invasive and performed with local anesthesia. You will notice tiny clusters of hair growth in the follicle site; the growth of these follicular units is vital in making your hairline look natural.

Average Hair Transplant Costs in India

The average hair transplant cost in India depends on the number of grafts 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:

Cost Based on Type of Hair Transplant Procedure

There are primarily two types of hair transplant procedures:

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 insert about 800 to 1200 grafts in smaller patches. This process involves extracting specific follicular units and inserting them into hair-thinning sections. The hair transplant method doesn’t involve any scars or sutures, but it requires patience to see visible differences in the specific scalp sites. 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.

Up to 4000 grafts can be inserted in a single session during this process. 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 worldwide.

3. DHT or Direct Hair Transplantation

DHT is a globally accepted hair transplant method, as it is very safe and painless without any unsightly incisions or scars. It is a slightly modified version of the FUE technique performed by an expert hair surgeon using an implanter pen to simultaneously accomplish the task of extraction and implantation. It is perfect for people suffering from androgenic alopecia or pattern hair loss.

Factors Influencing Hair Transplant Cost

1. Technique Used

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) are effective methods of hair transplants for men and women. However, your dermatologist will tell you which method would be suitable for treating your baldness. When comparing the two, the FUE method is pricier, 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, they would recommend DHI or Direct Hair Implantation. 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 ensure a perfect, naturally-looking hairline.

2. Number of Grafts Required

The number of grafts you might need is one of the major determinants influencing your hair transplant’s cost. 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.

3. Clinic Location

If you are availing of hair transplant services from a reputed skin clinic in a posh locality, the cost of the hair transplantation will be influenced. However, if you are choosing a skin care center 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 is 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 will 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 about implanting 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 their profile online to get an idea about their 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 center, 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 insurance coverage is not available for hair transplant procedures, several financing options offered by banks and private financial institutions allow you to pay the costs in EMIs. Please talk to an expert at Kolors Healthcare, and we will guide you through the process.

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.

References

1. Leila Asfour, MBChB BSc MRCP (Derm), Sinclair Dermatology, Australia – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278957/
2. Healthline Media LLC – https://www.healthline.com/
3. Department of Dermatology, University of Louisville Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2956960/