But it's my own hair, why does a hair transplant cost so much?
- Dr Jamie
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Dr. Jamie dives deep into financial secrets of the hair transplant industry.
How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost in the UK?
If you’ve been researching hair transplants, you’ve probably noticed the price tags are all over the place. One clinic quotes £3,000. Another says £10,000. And then there’s that ad that keeps popping up on your social media feed for a clinic offering unlimited grafts for £1,999.
So what’s the actual cost of a hair transplant here in the UK?
There Is No Set Price For Hair Transplants... and That’s Not a Cop-Out
The truth is, hair transplant costs vary from person to person. It’s not like buying a jumper. The price depends on how much hair you’ve lost, how much you want back, and how we go about doing it.
Here are the main factors that affect the cost:
1. How Many Grafts You Need
We charge based on the size of the area, not the number of grafts. A graft is a small group of hairs (usually 1 to 4). A small hairline tweak might need 800-1000 grafts. A full restoration could be between 2,500-3,500.
Typical UK price ranges:
Small procedure: £3,000 – £5,000
Medium: £6,000 – £8,000
Large/full: £9,000 – £12,000+
Some clinics may charge per graft, usually between £2-£6 per graft. The trouble with this method is who decides how many grafts you will need? The salesman with no medical training doing your consultation, who earns money on a commission basis?
The cost of a hair transplant usually covers everything from the consultation to the procedure and aftercare, but always make sure you ask the clinic exactly what is included to make sure there are no hidden surprises on the day.
2. FUE vs FUT
There are two main techniques used to extract grafts from the donor area:
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): Individual hairs taken out one by one. No linear scar. Most popular these days, due to quicker healing time and minimal scarring. However, it is more labour-intensive and therefore, slightly more expensive.
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant): A strip of skin is removed and the grafts are then taken from that. Slightly quicker, can be more cost-effective, but does leave a scar. Making it perfect for women who can hide any scar with their longer hairstyles.
The right one depends on your goals, hair type, and whether you care about keeping the back of your hair ultra-short.
3. Who’s Doing What?
Not all clinics are equal. You’re not just paying for the procedure, you’re paying for expertise, experience, and results. And remember, this is your face, after all.
During your consultations with various clinics you should find out exactly who will be doing what during your procedure.
At The Rejuvenation Doctors, Dr. Jamie is responsible for the removal of the grafts using a device called a punch. During this part of the process I will be assisted by a member of my team who will collect the grafts that have been punched out using a pair of forceps and place them into a pot of storage solution, while another member of my team will count, check and sort the grafts into separate pots depending on the number hair follicles it contains.
It is important to know that some clinics allow hair technicians to punch and extract the hairs from the donor area (which is common practice in Turkey). While this is not breaking any rules/laws in the UK, both the British and International Hair Restoration Society advise against it and do not allow their member to join if they allow hair technicians to 'punch'.
4. Location
London clinics tend to be a bit pricier than others, mainly due to higher rent prices. Remember location of the clinic and the price of your procedure doesn’t guarantee you a good result. Some fantastic surgeons operate outside London! And remember just because someone uses the name 'Harley Street' in their business name/or on their website, doesn't mean they're producing better results than a clinic based in the North.
Just make sure wherever you go, you’re looked after properly. That means a proper consultation, a setting designed to make you as comfortable as possible for the long day ahead, that you're given realistic expectations of what a hair transplant can achieve for you personally, and that they have thorough aftercare.
What About Going Abroad?
Yes, going overseas for a transplant can save you money—but it’s a gamble. There are excellent clinics abroad, but there are also plenty cutting corners and fixing botch hair transplants done abroad has become a massive part of our work.
You buy cheap, you buy twice! And trust me: a botched transplant costs a lot more than just money. So if you're considering going overseas, do some serious homework.
Is It Worth the Money?
In most cases? Yes.
A hair transplant is a one-off investment with results that should last you a life time, providing the hair has been removed from the correct place. No daily struggles to style it a certain way to hide those receding corners, no hiding under a cap, no awkward photos from weird angles.
If your hair loss is affecting your confidence, this can be life-changing.
Want to Know What It Would Cost You?
At the Rejuvenation Doctors, our hair transplant procedures start at £4,000 for a small case, and go up to £6,000 for a large case (typically front half, or a large crown). If you require the front and back, this would be split into 2 separate procedures, the first costing £5,000 and the 2nd procedure would be discounted to £4,000.
The easiest way to get a more accurate price is to book a consultation. I’ll take a proper look, explain your options, and give you a clear idea of the cost, with no pressure and certainly no pushy sales tactics.
Because honestly, this isn’t about selling you a procedure. It’s about helping you feel confidently like yourself again.
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