Over the last few years, hair transplant surgery has become an increasingly popular form of treatment for a wide range of hair loss conditions. The number of people choosing a hair transplant procedure rose by 40% during the pandemic. And while some hair loss is normal; between 50 and 100 hairs a day is considered normal daily hair loss; it is estimated that two-thirds of men and around a third of women will experience a more permanent form of hair loss at some stage in their lives.
Hair loss for any reason can be devastating; with people suffering from hair loss conditions reporting the following mental health issues related directly to their hair loss;
- Low confidence
- A loss of identity
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
Many people also report issues surrounding; socialising, dating, and even career progression that they attribute to their hair loss symptoms. So, is it any wonder that many people are turning to cosmetic surgery?
The forms of hair transplant surgery
Follicular Unit Transplantation is otherwise known as FUT:
In this procedure, a surgeon will remove a thin strip of skin from your donor area and divide this strip into smaller sections before transplanting it into the affected area. 
The surgeon will then close the wound surrounding the donor area, leaving you with a thin scar once healed.
FUT hair transplant procedures are usually recommended for those suffering from significant hair loss.
Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE:
With a FUE procedure, each follicle is extracted individually and transplanted separately into the affected area.
This method creates tiny puncture marks that leave virtually no scars when healed.
FUE hair transplant procedures will heal faster and have significantly less scarring; however, they take much longer to complete.
However, FUE hair transplants are usually more expensive than FUT procedures due to the longer procedure time.
Both methods are among the two significant types of transplant surgery worldwide; the techniques above can also be used for eyebrow and beard transplants.
Due to the rise in hair transplant surgeries across the UK, and the world, there is much more information regarding the key facts and statistics surrounding these cosmetic surgeries
- 66.2% of people choosing to opt for the FUE procedure
- 31.5% opted for the FUT procedure
- 2.35% of people choose a combination of the two surgeries
Hair transplant surgery alternatives
Some non-surgical alternatives to hair transplants could be tried before going to a hair transplant clinic.
Minoxidil and Finasteride are becoming increasingly available in the UK and work in different ways to treat male and female pattern baldness with some success.
However, these treatments will likely show proven results slower than opting for a hair transplant procedure.
How to find the right hair transplant clinic for you?
Due to the popularity of hair transplant procedures in the UK, it’s not surprising that clinics offering these surgeries have increased.
Unfortunately, it has also seen the rise of inexperienced hair transplant clinics or unlicensed clinics willing to take advantage of people with low esteem and high anxiety. These unscrupulous clinics ultimately promise tremendous results at either extortionate or suspiciously low prices.
Usually, these clinics either don’t deliver on their promises or require the patient to seek out another clinic to ‘fix’ what has been done. And will see the patient paying out more money than they would have done if they had visited a professional and reputable hair transplant clinic from the start.
Here is a checklist of valuable tips to make sure the clinic you are looking at is reputable;
- Check your clinic’s surgeon is registered with the British Association of Hair Restoration Society.
- Look for a success rate of 97% and upwards
- Check for qualifications and governing body endorsements
- Make sure your clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission
- Many reputable clinics offer a FREE consultation
- Check there is a named surgeon or surgeons at the clinic
- Check the aftercare recommendations
- Check the surgeons have at least five years’ worth of experience in your chosen hair transplant procedure
There are also a couple of red flags to watch out for from your chosen hair clinic;
- They are keen to get you into surgery: They should ensure you have all the necessary information to make an informed decision.
- They don’t ask about your current rate of hair loss: A good clinic will help you choose the proper treatment for you, but before they can do that, they need all the information.
How much does hair transplant surgery cost?
Unfortunately, hair transplant surgery costs wildly vary, and this does strongly coincide with the quality and reputation of the clinic involved.
Studies show that clinics can charge as little as £1,995 or as much as £15,000 for a procedure done at a reputable hair clinic that will cost around £4820.
If in doubt, contact multiple clinics; this will give you the average price for your procedure.
Don’t be tempted to choose the cheapest option; there is probably a reason for such a low price, and in many cases could end up with you out of pocket or, worse, unable to proceed with other hair transplant treatments.
Drawbacks of choosing cheaper procedures
- While low-cost hair transplants might seem tempting, there are a few issues you should be aware of when choosing the cheapest hair transplant quote.
- Up to 25% of reputable clinic cases are repairs from previous transplant surgery.
- The results aren’t usually worth even the reduced price.
- There is a chance that further hair treatments will be impossible; inexperienced clinics often overharvest the hair follicles on your donor site.
- Finding the right hair loss solution for you can be summed up in a single sentence; do your research. By researching all your available options, you will not only give yourself the best chance at finding a reputable clinic and could also put you on the path to a happier you.
