Hair transplantation provides a reliable and lasting solution for those struggling with hair loss or thinning hair. However, the procedure often comes with a significant price tag, which can cause some individuals to hesitate.
Despite the cost, choosing a well-established clinic can result in highly satisfactory outcomes, making the investment worthwhile. Hair plays a crucial role in enhancing one’s appearance and boosting confidence. If a hair transplant can improve your self-esteem and overall well-being, it becomes a smart investment, similar to a long-term financial commitment that justifies the expense.
At BHI Clinic, we aim to help you understand the typical costs associated with hair transplants, the price per graft, the availability of package deals, and the factors that influence pricing differences across various clinics and techniques.
Current Hair Transplant Costs (2024)
The cost of a hair transplant today varies based on the severity of hair loss and the number of grafts required. Each clinic may charge different rates depending on the size of the area being treated, with some offering package deals or promotions. Prices usually start at 50,000 baht, covering the basic surgical setup. However, setup costs vary from one clinic to another.
Given the high demand for hair transplants, many clinics offer very low prices, which can be appealing to young people who may not have saved enough for cosmetic surgery. It’s important to be aware that these low-cost options might involve technician-based procedures rather than doctor-led surgeries. In the worst case, both the transplanted and donor areas could be damaged, making it impossible to undergo another hair transplant in the future.
In this context, a hair transplant can be worth the investment, as the transplanted hair typically lasts for a lifetime.
Key Factors That Affect Hair Transplant Pricing
Each clinic has its own pricing policy which depends on several factors :
1. Number of Grafts Required: The number of grafts needed is the primary factor determining the complexity and duration of the procedure. The more grafts required, the longer the procedure takes. Since hair transplant surgery is highly labor-intensive, it’s typically charged per graft.
2. Surgical Technique: Hair transplantation techniques, such as FUE, FUT, Non-shaven FUE, or Long Hair FUE, vary in difficulty and require different levels of expertise. Not only do the doctors need to be skilled, but the entire surgical team must be proficient as well. This is why non-shaven FUE and long-hair FUE are more expensive than shaven FUE—they are more complex procedures.
3. Surgical Instruments: Precision tools are essential for extracting hair follicles from the donor site while keeping them as viable as possible. For instance, FUE machines can cost up to 700,000 baht, excluding the punches and other single-use components that need to be replaced for each case.
4. Additional Treatments: Some clinics offer supplementary treatments, such as PRP, LLLT, or stem cell injections, to enhance hair growth after the transplant, which can also affect the total cost. At BHI Clinic, we offer 2-4 sessions of post-operative hair washes for our clients, depending on the package they choose.
What is a “Graft”?
A graft is a group of hair follicles. One graft can contain 1-5 hairs, depending on the patient’s ethnicity.
Hair transplantation involves transferring hair follicles from the back of the head, where hair tends to be strongest and resistant to dihydrotestosterone, to areas experiencing thinning or baldness, such as the hairline or the top of the head.
Before the procedure, the doctor will design a new hairline and determine how many grafts are needed to cover the balding area. The number of grafts required plays a key role in determining the cost of the procedure.
Calculating the Number of Grafts
The exact number of grafts needed for each patient should be determined by the doctor performing the procedure, as each doctor has different preferences in creating an aesthetically pleasing hairline design.
Doctors typically recommend transplanting around 25-50 grafts per square centimeter, depending on the anatomical site, donor density and the existing density of the transplanted area. The higher the donor area density, the more grafts can be extracted while avoiding over-harvesting, which could leave the back of the head looking unnaturally thin.
Why Do Some Clinics Charge Different Prices for FUT and FUE?
FUE has become more popular, and fewer people request hair transplants with FUT. As a result, there are fewer surgeons and technicians skilled enough to perform FUT. Technician-based surgical teams cannot perform FUT legally, which is why most clinics charge more for FUT—they may need to hire specialized surgical assistants. FUT is still a good option for patients who lack sufficient donor density for FUE, and the scar can be minimal if you choose the right doctor. At BHI Clinic, we charge the same price whether it’s FUT or FUE so our doctors do not have a bias related to price to choose the right technique for each patient.
Why is Long-Hair FUE So Expensive?
Many women are now interested in hair transplants to lower or reshape their hairlines. In the past, only shaven FUE was available, leading some women to opt for FUT instead. With the introduction of long-hair FUE, there has been a surge in interest among women patients. The reason for its high cost is that it takes much longer to extract hair follicles while keeping the hair shaft intact.
The price per graft for women usually ranges from 150-200 baht. However, the newest technique isn’t always the best. Keeping the grafts intact after the procedure is challenging, as the weight of the hair shaft can cause the grafts to fall out during the first few days after surgery. Additionally, it’s more difficult to keep the hair clean, increasing the risk of infection.
Around 4-6 weeks after surgery, the transplanted hair will undergo shock loss, similar to other hair transplant techniques. Long-hair FUE can be a good option for those who cannot afford to have a large area of their head shaved, but non-shaven FUE might be a better alternative in such cases.
Summary
The cost of a permanent hair transplant can range from 50,000 to over 300,000 baht, depending on various factors such as clinic pricing, additional treatments, surgical instruments, and the number of grafts required. When considering a hair transplant, it’s crucial to prioritize the surgeon’s expertise, patient reviews, and clinic cleanliness over the price alone. A well-executed procedure will yield results that justify the investment. It is recommended to consult with a doctor to gather all necessary information before undergoing any treatment or surgery.
