Hair loss is a common problem, affecting millions of people in the country. Genetics, ageing, lifestyle-related factors, and underlying health conditions are usually responsible for  the loss of hair . While preventing or reversing hair loss can be difficult, one can restore hair growth to an extent. One of the ways to do that is to get a hair transplant—a procedure that involves moving healthy hair to bald spots or areas with thinning hair. 

Procedure and costs
There are mainly  3  types of hair transplant procedures. All of them are carried out  with the help of  prescription-based options to numb the scalp.

1. Follicular unit transplantation
In this procedure, the surgeon  will remove  a thin strip of hair from the back of the head and  divide the strip  into pieces, each  piece  consisting of one to four strands. These pieces are called hair grafts. Then, the surgeon  will place  the grafts into tiny cuts in the scalp . Then, they will close  the site with stitches. This procedure will leave a minor scar on  then  head, but it won’t be noticeable unless the hair is very short.  

For follicular unit transplantation,  there is no need to shave the head  beforehand ,  only portions from where the skin is taken must be trimmed.

2. Follicular unit extraction
Here, the head will be shaved. Then, the surgeon will extract the hairs one by one and  then  insert the grafts into incisions made in the scalp.  Here , too , the scalp can have minor scars, but they are not too noticeable.  The procedure can take a day or multiple sessions (for larger areas). So, if one is going for this method,  they  should find a hair transplant clinic nearby. If dealing with moderate hair loss, the follicular unit extraction hair transplant can cost between £3,000 and £8,000. For instance, the hair transplant cost in Birmingham typically ranges from £3,000 to £7,000.  For severe hair loss cases,  the cost can go up to £15,000.

3. Direct hair implantation
This  is a modification of the follicular unit extraction (FUE) process. In FUE, the surgeon manually makes cuts in the scalp before implanting follicles. In DHI, they use a specialised pen-shaped tool that can make cuts and place follicles  at the same time . This technique can cost anywhere from £2,464 to £10,233.

Following the hair transplant procedure, the surgeon will  provide one with a spray that can help them  with hair growth and recovery.

Cost based on grafts
The cost of hair transplants in the UK   can vary based on the number of grafts.
– 1500 grafts cost £5,000 to £8,000
– 2000 grafts cost around £6,700
– 3000 grafts cost around £9,999
– 5000 grafts cost around £16,667

So, the cost can vary depending on how extensive the procedure is.

Factors to consider
One should  spend some time evaluating their options and considering  the following things before choosing a hair transplant clinic and surgeon.

1. Experience and board certification
One may come across  a variety of  hair transplant clinics nearby that may  not have  the right specialists, success rate, and board certification to offer the best results.  So, it is important to do some research before finalising a clinic. One can begin the search by seeking recommendations from primary physicians, friends, and family members. Then, one should check patient reviews to verify if the surgeon is worth considering. Then, one should look up the hair transplant surgeon’s qualifications, experience, and specialisation. Additionally, one should look for board-certified surgeons, as such a certification indicates that a doctor is specialised in their field and is continuously learning and training to  become even better . 

2. Type of procedure
One find wide-ranging hair transplant packages in 2024. Then, one can compare them, take suggestions from the surgeon, assess their pros and cons, and then decide which procedure will best cater to their needs.  One should  not rush  the process.  It is important to understand  exactly  what to expect from the  type of  procedure one chooses to avoid unwanted results.

3. Facility
While one can easily find top-rated hair transplant clinics online, one should visit the facility in person before signing up for the procedure.  This  can help one  ensure they  choose a fully equipped, easily accessible, and clean facility for their hair transplant. 

4. Results
To choose the right surgeon, one should ask them for before and after pictures of their previous clients. Surgeons often click pictures to record information and prove results to interested candidates. By analysing these pictures, one will know what to expect. 

5. Value for money
Quality often comes at a cost. A reliable, qualified surgeon may offer their services at a higher cost.  So, one  should avoid prioritising cost over quality and be willing to spend a little more for good service.  One can always go for more affordable options but should never choose a clinic only because it is cheap. It is important to consider other factors and assess the value for money one gets before making a decision.