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This question, addressed by Coalition hair restoration surgeon Dr. William Lindsey, was shared by a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums:

In a recent forum post about a follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant he did, Dr. Lindsey stated, “… I personally did 3000 FUE punches in order to get 2600 grafts…” Three thousand FUE punches to get 2600 grafts? Is that right? Four hundred grafts sounds like a big number to lose.

Good question! It depends on how you count “lost”. When doing a FUE, you are placing a cylindrical punch around a cluster of hairs, incising the epidermis and dermis, and then lifting out the cluster gently, so that the fatty attachments to the bottom of the root bulb avulse without; A: damaging the fragile root itself or, B: the fatty tissue actually holds the roots in the scalp and all you extract is rootless hair shafts. It’s harder than it sounds. Hence, FUE costs more and is more variable in results than strip (FUT).

On one hand, you could certainly say that you “lost” 400 grafts because you pull out 400 or so rootless hair shafts that won’t grow and need to be discarded and you also made a 0.9mm hole in the scalp that will take only 5 days or so to heal with virtually no visible scar. But, in fact, you didn’t lose anything except an opportunity to make fewer punch sites on the head. Because the root remained and was not extracted, those hairs will grow back with the next cycle of hair growth.

I’m considering having a hair transplant and recently began investigating the procedure. I understand that modern techniques involve transplanting follicular units unlike the large “plugs” done in the old days and that clinics typically charge on a per graft basis. What I want to know is how many hairs you get from a given number of grafts?

A follicular unit graft can have anywhere from 1 to 4 hairs but you can average the number of hairs per graft to be about 2.2. Using that figure, 1,000 grafts would yield about 2200 hair follicles. The number of grafts required to successfully restore a patient’s hair will depend upon several factors such as; the degree of hair loss, the caliber and density of the donor hair and the individual’s personal hair restoration goals.

Clinics charge per graft regardless of the number of hairs in the grafts. Bear in mind that they will place the grafts strategically based on the number of hairs in the graft. For example, single hair grafts will be used mainly in the hairline while twos and threes will be used in zones behind the hairline to enhance the illusion of density.

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
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Can you tell me how much it will cost to fully restore my thinning hair with hair transplant surgery?

Like so many other aspects of surgical hair restoration, it’s difficult to make generalizations about cost due to the number of variables that come into play. For example, one must take into consideration such factors as; the type of hair transplant procedure they want, the patient’s degree of hair loss and the number of grafts required to meet the patient’s hair restoration goals, among others.

The two recognized hair transplant procedures are follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). While the method of implantation is essentially the same for both, the graft harvesting technique is quite different.

FUT is more commonly known as “strip” surgery because the grafts are taken from the stable permanent zone at the rear and sides of the head in a long narrow strip of scalp tissue and then separated into follicular units (naturally occurring clusters of one to four hair follicles) under high magnification using stereoscopic microscopes. This method is the gold standard for ultra-refined surgical hair transplantation and, under the right conditions, can yield very high graft numbers (3500+) in a single sitting. The cost for FUT in the United States is typically between $4 and $6 per graft.

FUE is generally more expensive than FUT because the follicular unit grafts are harvested one by one using a specialized tool. This painstakingly meticulous procedure is slow-going. FUE sessions are normally quite small (less than 1500) but the extra care and time needed to perform this procedure increase the price range to between $6 and $10 per graft.

In this article, recommended hair restoration surgeon Dr. Parsa Mohebi shares his expert knowledge comparing follicular unit extraction (FUE) to strip hair transplants:

Modern hair transplants have come a long way from the plugs and mini-grafts that rendered a very artificial look to the fine results we have today. Follicular unit transplantation has two surgical procedures. These procedures differ in the manner in which the donor hair or better said the donor hair follicles are extracted. These follicular units or micro grafts are removed in their natural unit arrangement and allow the hair restoration surgeon to artfully transplant hair to the bald recipient areas of a patient. The two methods are called Strip Hair Transplant Surgery and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Procedure.

FUE hair transplant surgery is performed by removing individual follicular units one at a time. This can be performed through manual extraction, automated methods or programmed robotic devices. FUE hair transplantation is a solution that many hair loss sufferers choose. When there is minimum baldness or scar revision, this type of hair transplant makes a lot of sense. When patients absolutely cannot accept the scarring that is necessary with a strip hair transplant surgery, then FUE is again the best option of FUT hair restoration. FUE is a good alternative for individuals that suffer from significant pain; or patients that experienced discomfort or other donor complications with a previous strip hair transplant surgery.  FUE is also advantageous for those patients with a depleted donor area for which removing more hair through strip method is impossible.

This question, from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums, was answered by recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Carlos Wesley:

I have always wondered how you know the number of grafts they are telling you that they have transferred is the true/correct number. You just have to trust your hair restoration surgeon?

I especially became suspicious since I just recently went for two different consults on the same day (it was with the doctors themselves in their offices). One of the surgeons said that he could probably get 3000-4000 grafts from my donor area (I already had a surgery using 4200 a year ago). The second one said the he didn’t see it being possible to get more than 2000 grafts and that was the maximum. He said it was impossible mathematically to reach anywhere close to 3000-4000.

As a hair transplant patient, it’s important to know what to look for when viewing your very own follicular unit grafts. There’s a big difference between “healthy” versus “denuded grafts”. Ideally, each graft should possess a healthy amount of subcutaneous and dermal tissue that protects the stem cell-containing portions of the follicle: the bulb and bulge, respectively (as seen on the right side of the first image as well as the second image below). Denuded grafts do not have that tissue and are more susceptible to dehydration and traumatic handling (both of these hazards decrease hair survival when transplanted).

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

I’m interested in follicular unit extraction (FUE), but don’t have enough money at the moment to visit a recommended hair transplant surgeon. I’ve found some physicians with much cheaper prices, but I’m wondering if this could lead to poor results. Is it okay to “price shop” hair transplant surgery? Will shopping for the cheapest hair transplant surgeon lead to a less than ideal outcome?

While price isn’t necessarily an indication of quality, it’s vital to select a hair transplant surgeon based on their proven ability to produce excellent results and not make a decision solely on price.

Look at it this way:

Say a state of the art follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure with an excellent physician costs around $10,000 (this is simply for example sake). One shot, $10,000, and you are satisfied.

Now, say you bargain shop and end up paying $5,000 for a FUE procedure with a different clinic. If the clinic has less experience with FUE or makes up cost by cutting corners, your result COULD be less than ideal and within 12 months, you could find yourself seeking a second (or possibly even repair) procedure. Because you don’t want to undergo the same experience again, you now see a hair transplant surgeon with more experience and end up paying somewhere around $8,000 (remember, these numbers are completely theoretical). Now, you’ve paid $13,000, spent 2 years undergoing hair restoration, and may be left with the results of a repair instead of the results of work on a virgin scalp.

This common question, from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums, was answered by “Spex” – a consultant for Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Alan Feller:

I’ve finally decided to undergo hair transplant surgery, but I want to make sure I’m asking appropriate questions and obtaining the right information before selecting a surgeon and scheduling a procedure. What type of questions should I ask during a hair transplant surgery consultation? Should I look for any particular “red flags?”

Spex:

Below is a comprehensive list of questions to ask during a hair transplantation consultation (which I’ve acquired from various experienced hair loss sufferers online).

Make sure you have these written down (along with any other questions that come to mind). Also, if at all possible, take someone you trust with you to the consultation, as your emotions will be running high and it’s easy to forget to ask the relevant questions:

 1.What kind of procedures does the clinic perform? Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)? Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)? Body Hair Transplantation (BHT)? All three? If so, for how long and ask to see results and be put in touch with actual patients.

2. What type of donor closure does the hair transplant surgeon use? Does he use sutures or staples, and why does he use his chosen technique? Also, what type and size of instruments does the physician use to make recipient incisions?

How can you assess the quality of a particular hair loss product? I have done some research myself for a hair regrowth supplement and I personally believe that this can help me regrow hair but, of course, it’s not an overnight course and I am still considering hair transplant surgery. How costly are hair transplants and how many procedures will I need?

Beware! The hair loss industry is rife with snake oil salesman making lofty claims about unproven and ineffective hair growth treatments.

For men there are only two clinically proven and FDA approved medical hair loss treatments. These are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). However, there are some credible natural alternatives available via our online store. It’s important to note that no alternative hair loss treatment is likely to be as effective as Rogaine and Propecia.

The cost of hair restoration surgery and the number of procedures a patient may require will depend on many variables including but not limited to the patient’s degree of hair loss, scalp/hair characteristics and the clinic the patient has chosen.

The best way to research hair loss treatments and hair transplant surgery is to frequent online hair restoration communities like our Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network.

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David (TakingThePlunge) Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

Let’s face it; a hair transplant procedure is a luxury item. For the average guy or gal working to make ends meet, raise a family and prepare for the unexpected curve balls life can deliver, setting aside a few thousand dollars for a cosmetic procedure may seem an unattainable goal. Often, balding men and women desiring to take control of their hair loss simply wait and watch the years pass by hoping for “the right time” to come. Well, the right time may not be as far off as you think.

Some people choose to view surgical hair restoration as not so much an expense but an investment in themselves. If that’s the case for you, then a little financial creativity may have you seriously considering hair transplant surgery sooner rather than later.

Recently, forum member “RCWest” started a thread asking members to share the methods they used to finance their hair restoration procedures. To learn how hair transplant patients faced the high cost of surgery, follow the link, How did you finance your procedure?

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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Technorati Tags: hair transplant, balding, hair loss, hair restoration

Balding men and women considering surgical hair restoration as an option are often concerned about the costs associated with this procedure. Anyone who watches late-night television infomercials is probably familiar with how chain hair restoration clinics liken the accessibility of surgical hair restoration to that of lasik eye surgery or teeth whitening. While it may seem laughable to compare a $15,000 hair transplant to a $250 teeth whitening, the reality is that hair transplant surgery, along with many other cosmetic procedures, is becoming as commonplace as orthodontia in many parts of the world.

So how does the “average guy” (or gal) afford such a costly, elective procedure, especially in a stretched economy?

In his post, Hair Transplant Surgery: Only For The Weathy??, forum member “thunderball” challenges the notion that surgical hair restoration can be obtained on a middle class income. What do you think? Follow the link to voice your opinion.

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: Balding, hair restoration, hair transplant