One of the main inquiries to ponder when researching hair restoration is: how much does a hair transplant cost? There is no definitive answer, nor even an average cost, really. The cost of a hair transplant is different for everyone, since each person is at a different stage/pattern of baldness and has specific goals and requirements. For example, a transplant for someone with a receding hairline may require a different technique or surgeon skill level than someone who only needs to have density added to his vertex. As these specifications change on an individual basis, so does price. Technique has a major bearing on the cost of hair transplant, as do:

• Patient needs
• Patient goals
• Skill level of the surgeon
• Long-term patient satisfaction

Technique—FUE Versus Strip Surgery

Today's hair restoration technology rests heavily on two techniques: strip surgery and follicular unit extraction (FUE). Strip surgery is considered the "traditional" method because it has been around longer and is still widely used. However, FUE has quickly become to gold standard of hair transplantation due to its superior long-term results, among other benefits.

Strip surgery is the technique wherein the practitioner excises a strip of flesh from the mid-rear scalp for the harvest of donor hair. This strip is then dissected into follicular units for implantation into the balding area. In FUE, the practitioner harvests the donor hair in individual follicular units directly from the scalp. This makes for a more sophisticated procedure that requires a higher level of surgeon skill (additional time being trained, plus experience) and more time in surgery. Thus, on an hour:dollar ratio, it stands to reason that this technique is typically more expensive.

While a prospective hair restoration patient is technically paying for hours spent, FUE has other added value. It is the less invasive surgery, results in no linear scar (and nominal scarring overall), and has a wider margin for hairline design (due to a broader selection of donor hair). For someone who keeps a short haircut, the higher cost would be a worthwhile investment. On the contrary, someone who knows they like a longer hairstyle, and thus does not mind having a strip scar, may not need the most refined technique. In this case, the hair transplant cost is lower while the patient's goals are satisfied.

Ultimately, cost relies on technique, and technique relies on the individual. What is best for your individual needs should never be denied or compromised solely because of cost. A hair transplant—be it follicular unit extraction or strip surgery—is permanent and should be pursued with great care and planning.