Hair Transplant Duration, Cost and Type of Anesthesia

How long does it take to have a hair transplant done? Are you under general or local anesthesia? Also, what is the cost for one procedure?
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Hair transplantation is done under local anesthesia using the same local anesthetics that dentists use, lidocaine and marcaine. Lidocaine is also known as xylocaine. Novacaine is no longer used due to the incidence of allergic reactions. Marcaine is a long acting local anesthetic. The pain associated with a hair transplant procedure is none to minimal but there is discomfort from injection of the local anesthetics. Most patients comment that the pain associated with the procedure is less than a visit to the dentist’s office. There is discomfort in the donor area if strip excision is performed, after the procedure. There is little to no discomfort after a FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) procedure.

Most physicians use some type of anxiolytic, or medication to reduce anxiety, the most common being valium. Some physicians administer the valium by mouth; some use an injection or the intravenous route. Some physicians start an IV and administer “twilight anesthesia” which is a combination of medications which make the patient unaware anything is going on but awake and breathing. Twilight anesthesia is generally used for the local anesthetic or numbing part of the procedure because this part hurts. The most common form of anesthesia is local anesthesia with a pill given my mouth to reduce anxiety. Read more

$2 a Graft Hair Transplant - Is It Possible To Get a Good Hair Transplant At This Price?

I’ve been trying to research my hair restoration options as best as I can, but keep running into conflicting information. I want to have a hair transplant but I an not sure how to get the best hair transplant for the best price. I keep seeing ads on the internet for doctors who will do a transplant for $2 dollars a graft, but as with everything in life I fear the ” I will get what I pay for.” I’m very glad that I found your organization and was hoping you can give me some guidance. Can I get a good hair transplant for $2 dollars a graft or will these doctors be cutting corners? Thanks in advance for your help, Peter
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It may be possible to get a hair transplant for $2 dollars a graft but you could get a bad hair transplant. Clinic’s that promote price are either hair transplant mills (more then one procedure per day) or a new doctor starting out. When a new doctor is starting out in this business he will offer his services for less money to get your business. Research his patients and his training. Ask if there are any additional fees and how the number of grafts needed is determined. You should find out the largest number of grafts the doctor has transplanted in one session and the type of grafts he usually transplants. Read more

Hair Transplant Cost and Recovery

I have been struggling with my hair loss for most of my life. I just turned forty and I am tired of being bald. It’s affected my life in a very profound way. I wear a baseball cap whenever I can and even my kids ask me why I always wear a hat. My wife suggested that I get a hair transplant if it will make me happier. So here I am. I’d like to know the average hair transplant cost and how long I will be out of commission for?

The cost of a hair transplant varies greatly from city to city throughout the United States. Prices range from as little as $3.00 to as high as $8.00 with the standard being around $5 to $6 per follicular unit graft. If and when you speak to a hair restoration specialist, be sure to ask about additional fees including anesthetics, surgical facility costs and follow-up care as they may not be included in the procedure fee. Although hair transplantation is a substantial investment, the results are permanent and may be less expensive than other hair loss treatments when factored over a lifetime. The improvement in self-image and confidence is well worth the cost for most people. Read more

Traveling Outside of the Country For a Hair Transplant

I am considering a hair transplant. I have consulted with two surgeons in San Francisco (near where I live) and am considering having the work done at one of their clinics. The transplant procedure recommended by both surgeons is for about 1800 grafts and the cost would be approximately $8500.-$9000.

I have been considering the possibility of having the procedure done by a well qualified surgeon in another part of the country or even outside of the US (i.e Latin America). I believe that even after considering travel costs I can save money and receive the same quality work that I would receive in the Bay Area. What do you think about traveling outside of the country for hair restoration work?

There are internationally renown physicians around the world. If you are looking at Latin America you will find Dr Carl Bazan and Dr. Hector D. Sandoval both in Mexico, Drs Carlos O. Uebel and Marcelo Gandelman of Brazil are greatly regarded by their peers , as is Dr Guillermo S. Blugerman of Argentina. Also south but not on the same continent are Drs Russell Knudsen and Mario Marzola both in Australia. Read more