The average cost of follicular unit excision (FUE) hair transplant surgery is $9,871, according to 1,206 patient reviews on RealSelf, though some say they’ve paid as much as $19,000.
Hair restoration surgery is an elective cosmetic procedure, so insurance doesn’t cover it.
The technique your surgeon uses to harvest hair follicles can have a significant impact on the cost of a hair transplant. During FUE hair transplantation (also called follicular unit extraction), a surgeon meticulously moves individual hair “grafts,” containing one to three individual hair follicles each, from a donor area on the back of your scalp to the recipient site where you have thinning hair.
The FUE technique is more expensive than follicular unit transplantation (FUT), in which the provider removes a strip of hair-bearing skin from the back of the head (leaving a linear scar), extracts grafts from the strip, and transplants them to the recipient area. In fact, some surgeons charge twice as much per graft for an FUE hair transplant, simply because the harvesting process takes so much more time.
Despite the higher price of FUE, many surgeons and patients still prefer this more modern technique because the tiny (less than 1mm) scars it leaves are much less noticeable than the horizontal scar from a FUT procedure. Downtime is also shorter and easier.
Read on to find out what affects the cost of FUE hair transplant surgery, whether or not it’s covered by insurance, and whether real patients think their results were worth the price they paid.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About FUE Hair Transplant
During your initial consultation, your prospective surgeon will recommend a treatment plan, including the estimated number of grafts that they’ll need to transplant.
They should quote you a price per graft, but it’s also smart to ask for a personalized, written estimate for the total cost, including:
Also ask if you’ll need to budget for prescription pain medication and or any recovery supplies.
Browse average FUE hair transplant costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.
State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
California | $12,562 |
Florida | $8,092 |
Georgia | $11,484 |
Michigan | $9,183 |
Minnesota | $11,500 |
New Jersey | $10,300 |
New York | $10,669 |
Texas | $8,250 |
Metro Area | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Atlanta, GA | $11,375 |
Detroit, MI | $8,250 |
Houston, TX | $8,334 |
Los Angeles, CA | $12,988 |
New York City | $9,600 |
Orlando, FL | $7,850 |
San Francisco, CA | $14,245 |
FUE hair transplant has an impressive 96% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf. So although it’s a significant investment, a solid majority say they’re pleased with the results of their hair restoration procedure.
Many happy reviewers say they have a fuller head of hair, with natural-looking results and more self-confidence. Several praised their hair transplant surgeon’s attention to detail.
A majority of those who said the treatment was “Not Worth It” noted less-than-optimal results, including a “pluggy” or sparse look, or transplanted hairs pointing in unnatural directions, due to poor technique on the part of their provider.
The best thing you can do to help ensure your procedure will be worth the investment is to choose an experienced, skilled surgeon who really sweats the details. As you’re selecting your provider, view at least 10 sets of before-and-after images, read dozens of reviews, and have in-person or video consultations with at least two experienced hair transplant surgeons. Make sure you’re confident in their hair transplant technique and confirm that they’ll be performing your procedure themselves—not farming it out to a technician with less training.
FUE transplant costs can vary by thousands of dollars, depending on these factors.
Your hair restoration goals and the extent of your hair loss will determine the number of grafts that your surgeon will need to harvest and transplant.
Increasing the hair density on larger areas like the crown (a common area of thinning for patients with male pattern baldness) will naturally cost more, while minimal transplants along the hairline or the part line will cost less.
Most hair restoration surgeons charge by the graft. In such cases, the number of hair grafts you need will have the biggest impact on your total cost. Some doctors charge a procedural fee (using the size of the treatment area as a guide), while others have a flat fee for a set number of grafts, and then charge for each additional graft.
As a general rule, female patients often need fewer grafts than men with male pattern baldness, who may require upwards of 2,000 grafts.
If your surgeon needs to harvest body hair for your transplant because your scalp doesn't have a sufficiently rich donor area, you can expect to pay more per graft, simply because of the time involved.
RealSelf Tip: Be wary of "graft splitting," where providers—often at clinics offering deep discounts—dissect the follicular unit grafts into smaller grafts, to artificially inflate the total number of grafts. Besides increasing the total cost, splitting can harm the grafts and decrease their viability.
Grafts are a limited, non-replaceable resource, so their survival and growth is key to a good result with any type of hair transplant method. When interviewing providers, don't just jump at the largest number of grafts for the lowest price. Ask your surgeon to explain the graft count and how it will be achieved.
If you're having a large amount of hairs transplanted (more than 2,000 grafts), your procedure may span two days. But even a single session can take four to eight hours with an attentive surgical staff, anesthesia to numb the scalp, and oral sedation help you relax.
Some people want to have as many grafts as possible transplanted at one time (especially if they’ve traveled for surgery), while others choose a more gradual approach.
During your consultation, talk with your provider about the most cost-effective way to achieve your desired hair thickness.
Some providers use a manual FUE harvesting technique, removing healthy hair with a micropunch tool and then inserting it into the scalp by hand, via a tiny incision, using a tiny blade or needle.
Others use a robotic device like NeoGraft or ARTAS to harvest the grafts. If going this route, be aware:
If you're serious about a robotic hair transplant, find a center that specializes in this procedure and doesn't offer others, and have consultations (with personalized cost quotes) with a few providers before making your final decision.
Always ask who will be performing your procedure at every stage, and make sure they have a track record of positive patient reviews and photos that show an artful result.
Hair transplant surgeons with years or decades of experience and superior skills to match can charge a premium for their time, expertise, and natural-looking results.
It can be tricky to find a truly qualified specialist for this procedure, in large part because medical professionals aren’t required to have a surgical residency or any specific medical training before advertising themselves as a hair restoration surgeon.
The most highly qualified surgical hair restoration specialists are members of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS), a selective organization that’s endorsed by the American Hair Loss Association.
Other experienced hair restoration surgeons may be board-certified plastic or facial plastic surgeons or diplomates of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. They may also have completed a Fellowship in Hair Restoration Surgery, or be a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), though this organization is less selective than the IAHRS.
Beyond credentials, make sure they have numerous reviews from happy patients, along with an extensive gallery of before and after photos showing natural-looking results.
Again, make sure they will be personally performing your procedure, rather than farming it out to a technician who may be less qualified.
You can expect the best results from a surgeon who is meticulous and careful at each step, from harvesting to inserting the grafts in the natural direction of your hair growth.
FUE hair transplants tend to cost more in the United States than in other countries, and you’ll probably pay more in major metro areas with a higher cost of living.
For example:
If you’re willing to travel abroad, you’ll find more affordable rates in countries where it costs less to operate hair restoration clinics and the exchange rate works in your favor.
Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, and India have thousands of hair transplant providers who charge considerably less than what you’d pay in the U.S., Canada, or Australia. Turkey, in particular, has become a popular destination for FUE hair transplants. According to a 2017 report, approximately 60,000 medical tourists go to Turkey for hair transplants every year, taking advantage of deep discounts.
Dr. Utkan Kiziltc, a dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon in Istanbul, says that the average price per graft in Turkey is just over a dollar. He adds that, in Turkey, an FUE procedure costs about 25% more than a FUT surgery.
Buyer beware: Though there are many reputable hair restoration surgeons on RealSelf who practice in Turkey, not everyone who performs the procedure there is well-qualified. Turkish law requires that all hair transplant operations be performed by certified doctors, the aforementioned report also found that many clinics do not adhere to the rule—which could lead to complications like infection and poor surgical results, including obvious or excessive scarring, noticeable implant clusters, or unnatural hairlines.
An inexperienced provider may also over-harvest the same area of the scalp, leaving thin hair in the donor sites.
Issues like this can require an additional revision procedure to fix mistakes or complications, which can end up costing a lot more than going to a reputable doctor in the first place. So, be wary of cheap FUE hair transplants.
Yes, personal loans or plastic surgery financing options are available, and they can be a good option to help make the cost more affordable.
Your surgeon’s practice may also offer their own financing options.