How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost?

As one of the UK’s leading hair transplant providers, we are often asked about the indicative cost of a hair transplant. Most hair transplants cost between £2,500 and £6,500 depending on the type of procedure. For example, an eyebrow transplant is considerably less intensive than a crown hair transplant. 

However, finance options have made hair transplants much more accessible meaning you wouldn’t have to pay upfront. Hair transplants can cost as little as £130 a month interest free when using hair transplant finance. 

The only way to offer a precise quotation is to schedule a confidential consultation with your preferred KSL Clinic practice. During this meeting, one of our accomplished surgeons will evaluate your scalp, area of hair loss or thinning, availability of donor hairs, and calculate the grafts required to deliver a hair transplant outcome you are delighted with.

Multiple aspects of a bespoke hair transplant will influence the cost of your procedure, including the location of hair loss, the complexity of the process, the extent of hair thinning you have experienced, and the quality and access to healthy donor hairs.

What are the factors that affect the cost of a hair transplant?

Cost factor: The type of transplant needed

One of the first aspects your surgeon will consider when providing personalised hair transplant pricing is the area of your hair transplant. 

The  Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) transplant process is precise and uses microscopic tools to relocate healthy donor follicles to the desired location. This same process is used for:

• Corrective hair transplants
• Eyebrow transplants
• Beard and facial hair transplants
• Widow’s peak hair transplants
• Crown transplants
• Hairline and temple transplants

Based on the information provided, here is a table showing the different types of hair transplants and their rough costs:

Type of Hair Transplant	Rough Cost Range (in GBP)
Corrective Surgery	£2,500 – £6,500
Eyebrows	£2,500 – £3,500
Beards	£3,500 – £4,500
Hairlines	£3,500 – £6,500
Crowns	£3,500 – £6,500

The costs vary depending on the area to be treated and the specific type of hair transplant procedure.

Each transplant is wholly adapted to your current hairline and expectations, which means that even two clients having a transplant in the same location may require a very different number of grafts or have follicles extracted from variable donor locations based on their current hair growth.

For instance, an eyebrow transplant will require fewer grafts than a crown hair transplant. 

Likewise, crown hair transplants often require denser follicles to blend seamlessly into your existing hairline – and the extent of hair loss will mean that the number of grafts needed could differ substantially.

Rather than providing ballpark figures or costing hair transplants based on a generic number of grafts, we require every client to attend a zero-cost consultation so we can perform a careful clinical evaluation of their hair and scalp and provide tailored recommendations about the right way forward.

Cost factor: The type of procedure (FUE or FUT)

Two primary types of hair transplants are performed most commonly in the UK. As we’ve noted, our preference is an FUE transplant process, which is pain-free and precise and offers expedited recovery times to ensure the comfort and convenience of our clients.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is the alternative. It differs because rather than extracting individual donor follicles, grading them, and then carefully reimplanting them in a pre-mapped pattern, FUT involves removing a strip of tissue.

While FUT requires less skill and is sometimes faster, the challenges include the potential for permanent scarring, longer recovery times, greater symptoms such as swelling, pain and itching, and less precision when extracting and implanting donor follicles.

As a rough idea:

• FUE transplantation is used for 66.2% of international hair transplants.
• FUT is selected as the transplant method for 31.5% of procedures.
• A combination of FUE and FUT is chosen for a minimal 2.35% of interventions.

Since a hair transplant is a permanent, personalised procedure, we believe that investing in the best quality surgical team available is money well spent, with the assurance that your results will be designed wholly around your aspirations.

Cost factor: The number of grafts needed

We’ve talked briefly about grafts, and each individualised hair transplant could need any number of grafts, from around 500 grafts for a targeted, smaller transplant area and up to several thousand for more extensive hair loss.

The more grafts necessary to achieve your desired outcome, the longer the procedure will take and the higher the cost. However, we do not price hair transplants based on graft numbers; rather, we focus on quality over quantity.

Most hair transplant surgeons grade hair loss in men and women according to well-acknowledged scales called the Norwood and Ludwig Scales. [2]

Average Hair Transplant Grafts According to Location

Although each transplant is bespoke to you, as an approximation of the hair transplant grafts required:

• Hair loss at Norwood stages two to three or late stage one on the Ludwig Scale requires roughly 500 to 1,500 grafts. Transplants concerning the temples and front of the scalp tend to require more grafts than those for the crown area.
• Clients with hair loss ranging in Norwood stage four or Ludwig stage two typically require up to 1,100 grafts for a crown transplant and between 1,200 and 2,500 for a frontal hair transplant.
• Norwood grade five to six hair loss and thinning at Ludwig stage three usually commands 1,500 to 1,700 grafts for the crown and up to 2,500 for the front of the hairline.

These are averages rather than exact indications of the grafts needed, and it is key to reiterate that some clients require fewer grafts to achieve a natural appearance, depending on the texture, density, growth pattern and colour of their natural hair type.

Instead of providing an arbitrary cost per graft, we examine the scalp and hair, estimate the exact number of grafts needed, and consider other aspects such as the area of hair loss, the type of hairline you’d love to achieve, and the aesthetic you are aiming for.

This ensures we offer custom pricing based only on your objectives and never assume that two hair transplant clients have the exact same hair type, goals or hair transplant requirements.

Cost factor: The skill and experience of your surgeon

The surgeon’s expertise and reputation play a significant role in determining the cost of a hair transplant.

Experienced surgeons who have performed numerous successful transplants tend to charge more because they are more likely to deliver superior results. Their expertise reduces the risk of complications and enhances the aesthetic outcome.

Surgeons with a strong reputation (i.e GMC certified surgeons) are likely to have higher fees due to their credentials, patient testimonials, and demand.

 Patients may be willing to pay a premium for a trusted and well-known surgeon to ensure natural-looking results and avoid the need for corrective procedures, which can be more expensive and complex.

At KSL, we work with some of the very best hair transplant surgeons in the country – so your surgeon will never be an issue. 

Cost factor: The Location of the Clinic

The geographical location of the clinic significantly impacts the cost of a hair transplant for some clinics. 

Clinics in major metropolitan areas or affluent regions (like London or Manchester) often charge more due to higher overhead costs, such as rent, salaries, and utilities. Conversely, clinics in smaller towns or less expensive areas might offer lower prices.

In areas with high demand for hair transplants, prices may be higher. However, some competitive markets may offer more competitive pricing to attract patients.

Patients may need to factor in additional costs, such as travel and accommodation if they choose a clinic located far from their residence. Some clinics offer “medical tourism” packages, which include transportation, accommodation, and the procedure cost, impacting the overall cost.

At KSL clinic, our prices are standardised regardless of your location. Whether you’re looking for a hair transplant in London or in Cardiff, our quality level remains the same – as do our hair transplant costs. 

Cost factor: The level of aftercare

Post-operative care is a crucial factor that can significantly affect the total cost of a hair transplant. The extent and type of aftercare provided by the clinic can vary, impacting both the overall experience and the final price.

 Follow-up appointments are often necessary to monitor the progress of the transplant, assess healing, and manage any potential complications.

 Some clinics include these follow-up visits in the initial cost of the procedure, while others may charge separately for each appointment, leading to additional expenses over time.

In addition to follow-up visits, post-operative care may involve supplementary treatments designed to enhance healing and improve the overall results. 

These can include Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, laser therapy, or scalp massages. Although these treatments can be beneficial for achieving optimal outcomes, they often come at an additional cost, depending on the clinic’s pricing structure and the specific needs of the patient.

At KSL, we offer comprehensive care packages that encompass a range of aftercare services. 

These packages may include multiple follow-up appointments, post-procedure products such as special shampoos or topical treatments, and ongoing support. While the upfront cost of these packages may be higher, they often provide better value for patients in the long run, ensuring a smoother recovery process and more satisfactory results without unexpected extra charges.

Why are some overseas hair transplants cheaper? Low-Quality Overseas Hair Transplants – Costings and Risks

Undoubtedly, the cost of a highly experienced, sector-leading hair transplant surgeon and technical team is likely higher than that of a lower-quality, less specialist provider. However, we strongly advise against relying on substandard clinicians for any reason.

According to data collated by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) [1], a staggering 96.4% of members perform up to 25% of their procedures to repair or correct poor outcomes due to clients having sought a transplant via an unaccredited or black market provider.

Although the vast majority of clients should expect permanent, natural results after one procedure, it is also possible that a substandard transplant will require further intervention, with:

• 28.6% of clients needing two separate procedures.
• 3.3% of hair transplant candidates requiring three or more surgeries.

The reduced price of a low-quality hair transplant is misleading since many clients require further procedures from a more specialist, accredited provider to correct the errors and visible variations in hair growth.

It’s also common to consult with clients who have rushed into a hair transplant without the professional advice we believe is key to a positive result. For instance, having a hair transplant too early, and while genetic pattern hair loss is extremely likely to progress, will often mean further procedures later on. 

Likewise, opting for a transplant without any necessary non-surgical therapies to stimulate healthy growth could mean there are insufficient donor follicles to select from – affecting the quality and longevity of your outcomes.

Treatments and medications like platelet-rich plasma therapy, laser therapy, Minoxidil, and Finasteride can be great ways to activate follicle growth and ensure the scalp is healthy before a hair transplant. 

This ensures your surgeon has many follicles to choose from and that your scalp and hair are in the best possible condition.

Any hair transplant pricing that seems too good to be true, is offered without a thorough consultation or disregards risk factors that should be avoided to ensure you aren’t one of the thousands of people who undergo a procedure only to be disappointed.

Signs That Indicate a Hair Transplant Quotation is Too Low to Be Reliable

It is common for hair transplant candidates to look for the most budget-friendly option, and we appreciate that it can be complex to understand the quality, dependability, and clinical standards to which two separate clinics adhere.

Here is a brief summary of the red flags to avoid and signs that a hair transplant clinic is unlikely to meet your expectations:

• Lack of before and after photos, real client testimonials or celebrity stories. We are incredibly proud of our unparalleled track record, and we provide a huge library of reviews, photos, testimonials, and excerpts to ensure you know what we do, what to expect, and what realistic results we can achieve.
  
• Offering unusually low prices. Exceptional quality hair transplants are an investment in your permanent appearance, and any cheap quotes are a huge risk. Unfortunately, false advertising and marketing that guarantees results, fails to advise on the recovery process or shows modified photos are common.
  
• No evidence of accreditations or regulation. KSL Clinic is regulated by the CQC, and all our surgeons are registered members of the GMC. These are fundamental, especially for clients considering overseas clinics without verifiable endorsements or qualifications, which are often black-market providers.

Another typical problem is a hair transplant clinic that agrees to perform a hair transplant without consultation or requires payment to book a private meeting with one of their surgeons.

The Importance of Free Hair Transplant Consultations

Consultations are a key aspect of our service, where we can advise whether or not a hair transplant is the right solution for you, discuss alternative therapies or medications that may be beneficial, and run through payment plans and interest-free financing options – never at any cost or obligation to proceed.

You should also be cautious about any hair transplant service that leaves you to your devices once your transplant has been completed, particularly if you intend to travel back home and have little or no communication with the transplant clinic.

Aftercare instructions, detailed guidance, and 12-month check-ins ensure your hair transplant is well cared for, heals nicely, meets your expectations, and does not require follow-up therapies.

We often suggest PRP as an optimal non-surgical therapy that can help stimulate faster regrowth, aid in recovery, and augment the health and youthfulness of your hair and scalp. We also encourage all clients to get in touch immediately if they have any concerns.