Virtually everybody who has experienced hair loss in the past twenty years has considered a hair transplant. However, only a very small percentage of those people have actually gone through with a hair restoration procedure. Many who decide against getting a hair transplant do so without ever fully understanding what it entails. Erroneously assuming hair transplantation to be imperfect and expensive, they brush it off and resign themselves to balding. We encourage you not to be so hasty. In order to help you better understand hair transplantation, we have prepared the following questions and answers section.

Hair Transplant FAQs

What Are The Different Types Of Hair Transplants?

There are multiple procedures available to those considering a hair transplant. The most popular of these is follicular unit extraction or “FUE”. FUE individually extracts hair follicles from a donor site on the patient’s scalp. They are then taken and implanted into the receiver site. FUE is advantageous as it results in minimal scarring and can be recovered from in just a couple of days. Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) is the second most popular method of hair transplantation. It follows a similar pattern to FUE, but removes hair-bearing skin from the donor site rather than individual follicles. For those who would like to restore their hairline without surgery, there is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. In PRP therapy, the doctor injects concentrated plasma into the patient’s scalp. This is believed to stimulate hair growth. However, this comprehensive study on the procedure seems to disagree.

How Much Does A Hair Transplant Cost?

The cost of your hair transplant will vary depending on a number of factors. Chief among them is the procedure you choose and the country in which it is performed. In the Western world, hair transplantation can get pretty expensive. In the United States, a patient should be prepared to drop about $20,000 for an FUE hair transplant. FUT costs less than that, but can still reach $10,000. PRP, meanwhile, is conducted over multiple sessions at a cost of about $500 per session. If you want to keep costs down, you should consider traveling to Turkey for your hair transplant. Turkey has become famous for its low-cost but high-quality hair transplants. There, a medical tourist can obtain PRP therapy, FUT, and even FUE for less than $5000.

What Celebrities Have Undergone Hair Transplants?

Countless celebrities have turned to surgical hair restoration to combat the effects of alopecia. This includes David Beckham, Sir Elton John, Joe Swash, John Travolta, and Wayne Rooney. Although many have remained mum about their procedures, Wayne Rooney has actually been quite open about his hair transplants.

Are Hair Transplants Permanent?

As mentioned above, Wayne Rooney has admitted to undergoing a hair transplant. In fact, the Premier League footballer has admitted to undergoing several hair transplants. But why was one not enough? Aren’t hair transplants permanent? In the vast majority of situations, yes, they are. However, some people with elevated levels of 5-alpha reductase – the enzyme responsible for pattern baldness – may have to undergo several hair transplants or accept being bald. 

So Should I Get A Hair Transplant?

A lot of people who are considering a hair transplant are just waiting for somebody to tell them it’s okay to do it. Trust us when we tell you, it’s okay to do it! The stigma regarding hair transplant was stamped out a long time ago. Furthermore, hair restoration procedures have come a long way since the term “hair plugs” was coined several decades ago. Today, they virtually guarantee long-lasting and natural results, so there’s nothing to stop you from obtaining the hairline of your dreams!