Hair Transplants: Cost, Time, & Side Effects

Maybe you’ve noticed more hair in the shower drain or thinning hair when you look in the mirror. Perhaps you’ve considered hair transplants as a potential treatment option.

But what exactly is a hair transplant? How do these procedures work? And how much does a hair transplant cost?

If you’re exploring transplants as a hair restoration option, our guide will help you understand the process, along with the different types, costs, risks, potential complications, and recovery timeline.

A hair transplant is a procedure that moves hair from areas of the scalp unaffected by male pattern baldness (aka androgenetic alopecia) to areas with thinning or bald spots. It’s kind of like repotting a plant.

In most cases, donor hair is taken from the back of the scalp and placed on the front or top — or wherever your hair is thinning. (It’s called donor hair even when it comes from your own head.)

Assuming you have enough donor hair available — and the rest of your scalp has the ability to grow new hair — a skilled surgeon can fill in thinning areas at the hairline and crown and give you natural-looking results.

“Hair plugs“ are an outdated hair restoration technique involving large clusters of hair follicles, resulting in a less-natural look. Meanwhile, modern hair transplants use advanced methods to create a seamless, natural appearance by transplanting individual follicles or small groups of follicles.

There are two general approaches to hair transplants:

• Follicular unit extraction (FUE)

• Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)

These hair restoration procedures produce a similar result, albeit with a few critical differences. And they both use hair grafts (small pieces of scalp with one or more hair follicles).

Comparison of FUE vs. FUT Hair Transplant Procedures

We’ve plugged in some of the main comparisons of FUE and FUE hair transplants in the table below.

To learn about hair implants versus hair transplants, check out our blog on hair implants for men.

Hair restoration surgery can be pricey. Hair transplants generally cost somewhere between $3,000 and $15,000. Quite a range, right?

A 2021 study reviewed 90 hair transplant clinics and found that the average all-in cost of the procedure in the U.S. was $13,610.

But how much you pay for hair transplant surgery depends on numerous factors, including:

• The local market (where you live or where you have your surgery performed)

• Whether you opt for FUT or FUE

• How much hair is transplanted

• If you have to travel for your surgery

• The surgeon you choose

• The complexity of your case

Hair transplant surgery is a serious investment, so it’s crucial to compare board-certified plastic surgeons and get multiple quotes before scheduling the procedure.

FUE is usually the more expensive option — it can be up to three times the price of FUT procedures.

Since hair transplant surgery is generally considered cosmetic versus medically necessary, it’s unlikely your insurance will help pay for it. But if your hair loss is due to an illness or injury, coverage may be possible.

You might be a good candidate for hair transplant surgery if you have:

• Male pattern hair loss

• Overall thinning hair

• Lost a section of hair due to burn, illness, or injury

You’re probably not a great candidate if you:

• Are completely bald or lacking good donor sites

• Have scarring on the scalp

• Experienced hair loss as a side effect of medication

• Have hair loss due to illness or chronic stress (telogen effluvium)

Your healthcare provider can help you figure out what type of hair loss you’re dealing with by exploring possible causes.

Both FUE and FUT hair transplant surgeries are done in an outpatient setting, such as at a plastic surgeon’s office.

Here’s what happens before and during a hair transplant:

• In the weeks before surgery, your surgeon will tell you when to stop taking any medications that might interfere with the process, like certain supplements or blood thinners.

• You’ll arrive at your appointment with clean, product-free hair.

• In many cases, donor sites will be shaved pre-surgery.

• You’ll most likely get local anesthesia to numb your scalp but will remain awake during the surgery.

• Donor follicles will be removed and stabilized in some sort of fluid while the transplant area is prepped for their arrival.

• Prep usually involves making new holes with needles. The follicles will then be “dotted“ into place — these new follicle locations should be created in a random pattern to mimic natural hair growth.

• A wetted Q-tip or surgical tool presses each follicle into place, one by one.

• This process repeats until all donor-area follicles have a place to call home.

Do Hair Transplants Hurt?

It seems like they would — but remember, you’ll be numb for the hair transplant procedure, so you won’t feel pain after the initial injection of anesthesia. During the process, you may feel tugging, and there may be soreness as your scalp heals afterward.

A hair transplant is technically a type of plastic surgery, but this outpatient procedure won’t require you to pack an overnight bag or eat hospital food for dinner.

Here’s what you can expect in the hours, days, and weeks after a hair transplant:

• Your scalp will be bandaged after the procedure, and you’ll receive instructions on how and when to change the dressing.

• Swelling may occur in both the donor areas and the spots where hair has been transplanted.

• You can wash your hair about two days after the transplant, but avoid pullover clothing like T-shirts for several weeks to prevent disrupting the grafts.

• Avoid exercise or any strenuous activity that could bump your head for up to three weeks, and follow wound care instructions to prevent infection or scarring.

• Expect the transplanted hair to fall out within two to eight weeks — this is normal. New hair will grow, with full results visible in six to 12 months.

Recovery time varies between FUT and FUE procedures. With FUT, the donor area heals in two to three weeks, and with FUE, surgical sites generally heal in one to two weeks.

Here are a few things that may help during recovery time:

• Topical minoxidil. Adding this to your post-surgery haircare routine might encourage hair growth. You’ll want to follow the instructions closely, as any topical product could irritate the surgical sites.

• Oral finasteride. Some hair transplant surgeons recommend finasteride after the procedure to help keep hair density as thick as possible. This medication blocks DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the hormone partly responsible for male pattern baldness.

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This may be used as a recovery tool for wound healing, hair transplants, and hair regrowth. Ask your plastic surgeon if they think hyperbaric oxygen therapy is right for you.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association estimates hair transplants take anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on the number of grafts. Some call for a few sessions, meaning you’d have a series of procedures.

In many cases, a hair transplant is done in phases. So, while each procedure is pretty quick, you may have to do several of them — especially if your hair loss is more severe.

Following your hair transplant procedure, here’s what you can expect:

• Day 1. Bandages can be removed.

• Day 2. You can wash your hair.

• Days 3 to 5. You’ll be cleared to go back to work and do light activities.

• 10 days. Your provider will take out your stitches.

• 3 weeks. You can return to normal activities, like exercise.

Are Hair Transplants Permanent?

Yes! Part of the reason donor hair is taken from the back of the head (or other areas) is that those hairs survived the first wave of hair loss.

Transplant follicles are selected specifically for their ability to skirt DHT’s effects, so staying power is one worry you don’t have to bring to the operating table.

Still, it’s possible you’ll need touch-up procedures to achieve the full natural results you’re seeking.

Your surgeon will discuss the possible complications of hair transplant surgery with you, which may include:

• Pain and swelling

• Infection

• Scarring

• Cyst development at the suture site

• Bleeding

• Anesthesia complications

• Heart problems during surgery

• Patient dissatisfaction

Hair transplants can be very successful, but it’s important to have realistic expectations.

Remember that transplanted hair:

• Will have a different texture than your original hair (due to follicular damage in the process)

• May behave differently when styling

• Might grow in different patterns than before

• Could potentially fail in some cases

It’s not for everyone. But for many men, hairline transplants can significantly improve the appearance of their hair.

Though hair transplant surgery is a possible course of action for hair restoration, less invasive (and more affordable) options are also effective in treating various types of hair loss. This includes genetic hair loss (male pattern baldness), alopecia areata (due to an autoimmune condition), and telogen effluvium (caused by stress).

Hair Loss Medications

Two medications — minoxidil and finasteride — are approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to treat hair loss in men. These hair loss treatments can slow thinning, increase hair density, and potentially prevent future hair loss.

Minoxidil is typically applied topically (but sometimes taken orally), and finasteride is taken orally (but sometimes applied topically). Both drugs are backed by years of scientific research.

Here’s the TL;DR:

• Finasteride lessens DHT. This helps fight hair loss because DHT shrinks hair follicles and shortens the hair growth cycle.

• Minoxidil is a vasodilator. It brings blood flow and oxygen to the scalp. It also seems to help widen the diameter of the follicle, which can create thicker hair. We offer minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution, both available without a prescription.

In short, these drugs help treat the same problem (hair loss), but they work differently. When paired together (like in our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray), they can be even more powerful at encouraging new hair growth.

Hair Products

While hair products won’t restore hair growth the same way medication can, they can make hair appear fuller and more voluminous — at least temporarily.

Here are a few options to try:

• If you’re deficient in biotin (rare but possible), biotin gummies can help restore levels of the B vitamin. Biotin contributes to keratin production, which is key for healthy hair and nails.

• Our volumizing shampoo and volumizing conditioner contain biotin and fullness-boosting ingredients like caffeine — plus, they’ll leave your hair smelling like citrus spice.

• Our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto helps plump up your hair so it seems fuller. One meta-analysis found that 83 percent of people had increased hair density when using saw palmetto for hair loss.

Check out our guide to hair care for men for more product recs and tips for mastering your mane.

Getting a hair transplant is a big decision that calls for research and patience. Like all medical procedures, it’s vital to understand the effects, costs, and limitations before you go ahead.

Here’s what to keep in mind about hair transplants:

• They can effectively restore a fuller hairline. While other less-invasive hair loss treatment options can slow hair loss, hair transplants are the only way to get your locks looking (almost) how they did in your high school yearbook photo.

• They’re expensive. The price of hair transplants varies greatly but hovers around $13,000. If you see one advertised for cheap, it’s probably too good to be true.

• You won’t technically have more hair than before. A hair transplant doesn’t create new hair but rather moves existing DHT-resistant hair to bald areas. If done well, the transplanted hair should continue growing.

• There are drawbacks. Talk to your surgeon or dermatologist about the potential side effects of hair transplants, which may include pain, infection, or scarring.

If you’re considering hair loss treatment options, check out our guide to dermatologist-recommended hair growth products.

Ready to take action? Do a free online consultation with a hair growth specialist to learn about your options and what products might be best for your specific situation.