There are many things to consider when you’re thinking about getting a hair transplant, and cost is one of the main factors for most people. The average cost of a hair transplant can vary a lot depending on the type of procedure you have, the extent of your hair loss, and the clinic and doctor you choose.
The average cost of a hair transplant in the UK is between £1,000 and £30,000, which as you can see, is a big range.
To help you to figure out the costs you’re likely to pay, we’ve researched prices for different types of hair transplants in clinics all over the UK.
Going abroad for hair loss treatment is becoming increasingly popular, so we’ve also looked into how the costs of hair transplants in Europe and elsewhere compare to the UK.
Remember, when it comes to something as important as your appearance, going for the cheapest option isn’t always the best choice. It’s important to balance your budget along with the care you receive and the overall results you can expect.
Hair transplants are classed as a cosmetic procedure so aren’t available on the NHS. However, if you’re worried about the cost of a hair transplant and how you will afford it, many clinics offer financing options to help you spread the payments.
How Clinics Calculate the Total Cost of Your Hair Transplant
The price you pay for your hair transplant will depend on how many grafts are needed as well as the type of procedure you choose.
Most clinics charge per graft and will estimate the total number of grafts you will need to get a good result with your hair transplant.
For example, if you want a hair transplant for eyebrow reconstruction, this will cost a lot less than someone seeking treatment for extensive male pattern baldness.
You can expect to pay between £2 and £5 per hair graft in the UK.
Most clinics use a visual scale called the Norwood scale to assess the density of the hair at various locations on the scalp.
If you just have a slightly receding scalp, you may need only around 500 grafts to achieve a satisfactory result. More extensive baldness may need up to 9,000 grafts.
Multiply the number of grafts by the average price per graft and you’ll see where we came up with our numbers.
A small transplant priced at a cheaper clinic might cost only £1,000 but a more extensive transplant could cost £18,000. When you add on the premium you can expect to pay at one of London’s best hair transplant clinics, it’s easy to see how the price could easily reach £30,000 or even more.
Keep in mind that economies of scale apply so you’ll usually pay less per graft for a large number of grafts.
The number of grafts you’ll need also depends on the colour and thickness of your hair and whether it is straight or curly.
Many clinics have hair graft calculators on their sites that will estimate the number of grafts you will need. However, this is only a very rough ballpark figure and you’ll need to have a consultation with a doctor to estimate accurately.
Some clinics offer free consultations but you should expect to pay £50 – £100 for the cost of your consultation. This may be used as a deposit towards the total cost of your treatment.
The Average Cost of FUE Hair Transplants in the UK
In the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method of hair transplant, individual hair follicles are removed from the back of the head with a small punch tool and implanted into small cuts on the scalp where there are balding areas.
There are various different types of FUE using slightly different tools and techniques.
To help you to estimate how much an FUE transplant might cost you, we’ve compiled some data from clinics that publish their prices publicly.
London Hair Transplant Clinics
| Clinic | Cost of transplant |
| Harley Street Hair Clinic | £5,000 – £8,000 for 1,500 grafts |
| Harley Street Healthcare Hair Transplant Clinics | £2.11 – £3.99 per graft (price is reduced for a high number of grafts). £5,299 for 1,500 grafts |
| Westminster Clinic | £5,000+ for 1,500 grafts |
| The Private Clinic, Harley Street | £2.50 per graft |
| Cadogan Clinic | Average £6,600 per transplant |
| Hair Medics UK (London & Sheffield) | £1,499 – £3,999 |
Other UK Hair Transplant Clinics
| Clinic | Cost of transplant |
| Elite Hair Restoration (various locations across the UK) | £3+ per graft, £4,500 for 1,500 grafts |
| Signature Clinic (various locations across the UK) | £1,650 – £5000 |
| Smileworks (Liverpool) | From £4,125 for 1,500 – 2,000 grafts |
| The Glasgow Clinic | £5 per graft, £7,500 for 1,500 grafts |
Specialist FUE Transplants (Robotic ARTAS & DHI)
| Clinic | Transplant type | Cost of Transplant |
| Elite Hair Restoration (various locations across the UK) | SmartGraft FUE | From £4 per graft |
| Elite Hair Restoration (various locations across the UK) | Robotic ARTAS | From £5 per graft |
| Signature Clinic (various locations across the UK) | DHI | £3,500 – £5,000 |
| DHI Scotland | DHI | From £2,000 |
| MediWell (London) | DHI | From £3,500 |
| Surgery Group Rochdale | Robotic hair transplant | £9,000 – £22,000 |
The Average Cost of FUT Hair Transplants in the UK
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) involves removing a strip of skin from the back of your head and splitting it into small hair grafts containing just a few hair follicles. These grafts are then implanted into tiny cuts made in the scalp.
FUT is typically the cheapest kind of hair transplant as it is quicker than other methods. This makes it more suitable for large hair transplants.
While an FUE hair transplant of 3,000 grafts could cost over £15,000, the same transplant done with an FUT procedure will only cost around £8,000 on average.
There are fewer clinics offering FUT hair transplants and advertising their prices in the UK but Elite Hair Restoration charges from £2 per graft or £6,000 for 3,000 grafts. This is £3,000 cheaper than they charge for the same number of FUE transplants.
The Cost of Hair Transplants Abroad
Hair transplants overseas can be significantly cheaper than in the UK so it’s become increasingly popular to travel to countries like Turkey, Poland, and India for treatment.
Many overseas clinics offer all-inclusive packages that include accommodation and airport transfers so you can combine your hair transplant with a holiday.
However, there are some things to keep in mind before you travel abroad for a cheap hair transplant.
While medical clinics in the UK are regulated, those in other countries may not be subject to such stringent regulations. If you’re considering a clinic overseas it’s vital to research the credentials of the doctor you plan to have the procedure with and make sure you read reviews of the clinic.
And of course, in the wake of COVID-19 travelling overseas is not as easy as it used to be. Rather than putting your transplant on hold you might want to consider one of the more affordable UK hair transplant clinics and find one that allows you to pay in instalments.
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