8 essential factors affecting the Cost of Hair Transplant in India
1. Balding pattern
As a patient walks in for their initial consultation for a hair transplant surgery, the first thing the doctor analyzes is the amount and pattern of baldness they have. The idea is simple – more baldness, more grafts. And, more grafts mean more money. This factor helps the doctor to share rough cost estimates with the patient.
2. Number of grafts
As the balding area increases, so does the number of grafts required for surgery. The cost of hair transplant surgery goes up with an increase in required grafts. However, many hospitals and clinics in India offer hair transplant packages that include a standard cost for a range of hair grafts.
For a particular package, the patient can use as many hair grafts within a minimum and maximum range set by the facility. If a patient chooses to avoid a package, they have to pay according to the number of grafts that will be used throughout the procedure.
3. Technique
A hair transplant surgery can be performed through three different techniques; the Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) method, the Follicular unit extraction (FUE) method, and the Direct hair implantation (DHI) method.
Each method uses a different technology and equipment, which dictates the final cost of the surgery. A more advanced technology calls for higher costs, while a standard technique may not leave a big bill!
4. Number of procedures
Many patients suffer from extreme balding patterns. Such patients need a transplant with a higher number of grafts, as much as 5000. Unfortunately, even with the best technology or experience in their hands, plastic surgeons can only transplant 2000-3000 grafts in one sitting. Anything more than this requires the patient to undergo multiple sittings of the procedure. This, in turn, increases the cost of hair transplant surgery.
5. Experience of the surgeon
Nobody wants their transplanted hair to stand out and make it obvious that they underwent a procedure. Therefore, the transplanted grafts should be placed and arranged at perfect angles that give a patient a natural-looking mane. This can be achieved if a patient chooses a board-certified plastic surgeon with ample experience on their hands.
However, the skill, expertise, and experience of a surgeon come at a price. A patient should expect to shell out more money if they wish to go ahead with the surgery performed by a specialist.
6. Hair transplant clinic or hospital
Some clinics and hospitals in India charge an additional 15 to 20% on standard procedures, owing to their popularity and the facilities they offer. But, with extra costs, a patient can expect extra safety, care, and better results.
Moreover, certain surgeons only offer their services at premium hospitals and clinics. So, if a patient wishes to pick the best surgeon, they might as well make up their mind about the best hair transplant facility.
7. Donor grafts
The condition, texture, and number of donor grafts is another important factor that decided the cost of hair transplant in India. Usually, the donor grafts are obtained from the back of the patient’s head.
If unavailable, the grafts from the hair below the jawline can be used in the surgery. If the grafts have low viability, they would have to be stored under specialized conditions. This makes the procedure slightly more expensive.
8. Additional treatments
Many surgeons recommend that patients undergo additional treatments or therapies to increase the chances of success of hair transplant surgery. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is the most popular form of therapy advised to patients after a hair transplant surgery.
Such additional procedures, and even medications, increase the overall cost of undergoing a hair transplant.