The average cost of an eyebrow transplant is $7,425, according to nearly 200 recent reviews from RealSelf members. However, eyebrow hair transplant costs can range from just $3,000 to $14,000, depending on a few key factors.
Similar to a hair transplant, an eyebrow transplant harvests hair follicles from a donor site on another area of your body (usually the scalp) and transfers them to the brow area, to enhance their shape and fullness.
Read on to learn what determines the cost of eyebrow restoration and whether or not real patients think it's worth the price they paid.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Eyebrow Transplants
Eyebrow transplants have a 93% Worth It Rating on RealSelf, so most people who reviewed their procedure think this permanent solution for thinning brows was worth the investment.
Others who say it wasn't worth the money reported uneven results or sparse hair growth post-treatment.
To improve your chances of good results, book a consultation with an experienced, board-certified hair transplant surgeon who specializes in facial hair transplants and can thoroughly explain the procedure, aftercare, and potential side effects.
They'll also be able to assess whether or not you're a good candidate for the procedure, based on the cause of your eyebrow hair loss. For example, people with the autoimmune condition alopecia areata, or the obsessive-compulsive disorder trichotillomania, may not have good long-term results with this procedure.
If you’re not ready to spring for the cost of an eyebrow transplant, you might consider microblading, a semi-permanent makeup type procedure similar to tattooing.
With an average cost under $450, microblading is significantly cheaper than an eyebrow transplant. On the other hand, results require upkeep and can vary quite a bit, as evidenced by the procedure’s mixed reviews. If you go this route, seek out an experienced provider with an artistic eye, be patient and prepared, and trust the process.
Also be aware that microblading can damage hair follicles, which can lead to sparser natural brows over time.
These are the biggest factors that impact eyebrow transplant costs.
Eyebrow hair transplant results are permanent, so it's important to find a reputable, board-certified hair restoration surgeon, plastic surgeon, or similarly qualified physician who specializes in eyebrow transplant procedures.
The American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery is the only certifying organization for hair transplant doctors worldwide, but you'll also find surgeons who have been certified by other boards but specialize primarily (or exclusively) in hair restoration surgery.
Along with checking credentials, ask how many eyebrow restoration procedures they perform each week, make sure they have a solid track record of positive patient reviews, and study their gallery of eyebrow transplant before and after photos.
An experienced, in-demand surgeon with expertise in this specific procedure will be able to charge a higher surgeon's fee than one who's still building their practice and skills, but you'll be more likely to have a good result (and avoid the potential expense of revision surgery).
RealSelf Tip: Some hair restoration surgeons outsource procedures to a technician, rather than performing the surgery themselves. This can have disastrous results, so if you're not 100% confident that the surgeon will be the one performing your procedure, ask for confirmation during your consultation.
Eyebrow transplants involve extracting hair from a donor area (usually the back of the head) and meticulously implanting them in the eyebrow area, to reverse the effects of thinning or over-plucking.
There are two techniques for harvesting the hair grafts for this type of transplant:
FUE procedures leave less obvious scarring (unless you keep your head closely shaved), but the process is more time-consuming than the FUT technique, so it usually costs more.
Where you choose to have your procedure performed will have a big impact on your eyebrow transplant cost.
While there is some competition for patients among practices in major metro areas, like New York City and Los Angeles, higher costs of living also mean higher costs for all types of cosmetic procedures. To find the most affordable option:
You may also consider traveling to be treated by an experienced surgeon in a more affordable city within the U.S., or even a place that's known for their hair restoration surgeons, like Turkey or Thailand.
Before you become a medical tourist, it's essential to do your research to ensure that it's a safe time to travel to that particular country. Make sure that the U.S. State Department hasn’t recently issued a "Do Not Travel" advisory for your destination.
It's also extremely important to thoroughly research any overseas provider before you book.
Some RealSelf members who underwent their procedure overseas and found it "Not Worth It" reported unsatisfactory results (including brow hairs that stuck straight out, rather than following the natural growth pattern of the brow) and a lack of follow-up from their provider.
Traditionally, hair transplant procedures are priced per "follicular unit" (the tiny bundle of follicles that makes up a graft). In the U.S., eyebrow transplants usually cost $5-$8 per follicular unit. The higher the number of follicular unit grafts you need, the lower price you'll pay per follicular unit.
The number of grafts you get will depend on the current shape and fullness of your brow, as well as your desired shape and density.
Dr. Kulkarni Amonpattana, a hair restoration surgeon practicing in Bangkok, Thailand, provides these estimates for the number of grafts needed in different situations:
Dr. Gary Linkov, a facial plastic surgeon and hair transplant specialist in New York City, estimates using anywhere from 100 to 350 grafts per eyebrow. But he, like many of his peers, doesn’t charge by the graft.
It’s becoming increasingly more common for surgeons to charge a flat fee for an eyebrow hair transplant, since the level of skill and attention to detail required for a natural-looking brow transplant is inordinately high, even when the graft count is low.
New York City facial plastic surgeon Dr. Steven J. Pearlman quotes a range of $5,000 to $10,000 for eyebrow transplant surgery. Dr. Yael Halaas, another New York City-based facial plastic surgeon, reportedly charges around $8,500 for the procedure.
During your initial consultation, you and your provider will have an in-depth discussion about your desired results, their pricing protocols, and potentially, the number of grafts you may need.
Eyebrow transplants are typically done in the physician's office or in a private surgery center. During your consultation, make sure your all-in cost quote includes any fees for the facility itself.
Rather than administer general anesthesia or IV sedation, most surgeons use only local anesthesia—numbing injections plus an oral sedative and anxiolytic—for eyebrow transplant procedures, which is a much more affordable way to go.
Ask your provider up front if they charge extra for touch-ups, or if their flat fee for the procedure includes all types of follow-up appointments.
Dr. Jae Pak, a hair restoration surgeon in Los Angeles, says that "Some doctors will do a touch-up surgery for free or at a much lower cost," while others will charge the same price per graft for a touch-up as the initial procedure.
It's important to choose an eyebrow transplant provider based on skill, but if you've narrowed your choices down to a few reputable surgeons, it can be worthwhile to ask whether they ever have special offers.
Some practices do run promotions at certain times of the year, so be sure to follow their social media accounts and sign up for their marketing email to stay in the loop about potential sales.
An eyebrow transplant is an elective cosmetic procedure, so in most situations, insurance doesn't cover it.
However, if your hair loss is the direct result of an underlying medical condition or trauma, insurance may cover a portion of the procedure. Check with your insurance company about what kind of documentation you'd need to provide to get your claim approved.
Yes, plastic surgery financing from companies like CareCredit can help cover the cost of an eyebrow transplant. Some financing options even offer low or no interest, as long as you pay off the loan relatively quickly (for example, within 24 months).
Ask your provider which financing options they accept.