Understand what a hair transplant is and the average cost of a hair transplant in Australia. Hair transplants have a high success record in helping men regrow their hair at various stages of hair loss.
However, the surgery has a cost, and the bill is typically the most significant obstacle for men who are interested in hair transplants.
You may have heard of a hair transplant as an additional treatment option for hair loss in addition to taking a medical approach to the condition. You might even be thinking about purchasing one right now.
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It is possibly the most severe approach to treating hair loss, and similar to any other medical operation, it comes with its own set of hazards and things to think about.
Therefore, before you go ahead and spend the money on a hair transplant, it is in your best interest to do some research and find out as much as you possibly can about the cost of hair transplants in Australia and whether or not you would benefit from having one.
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What exactly is involved in a hair transplant?
A hair transplant is a surgical technique in which a plastic or dermatological surgeon transfers hair to a bald region of the scalp.
When doing a hair transplant, the surgeon will often relocate hair from the back or side of the head to the front or top of the head.
In most cases, a local anesthetic is used during the hair transplant procedure, which takes place in a medical office. The vast majority of men and women have hair loss due to pattern baldness. The answer lies in our genetic make-up.
The remaining instances can be attributed to several different circumstances, including the following:
- Diet
- Stress
- Illness
- An imbalance of hormones
- Medicines
Different Procedures For Hair Transplants
You can decide if you want a hair transplant that takes the individual follicles, which is referred to as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), or whether you want a small strip taken out of the back of your head, which is frequently referred to as Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT).
This decision will depend on the stage of hair loss that you are currently in.
FUT
The Follicular Unit Transplantation, often known as FUT or the “strip surgery,” includes a cosmetic surgeon extracting hair in narrow “strips,” which are typically removed from the back of the scalp. Another name for the FUT operation is “follicular unit extraction.”
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The strips are then dissected into individual follicular units containing one to four hairs each, which are transplanted into the region of the scalp that the patient desires.
This makes it possible to achieve a more natural appearance in terms of both the individual follicular units and the overall graft distribution of the hair.
The fact that this sort of operation will result in the formation of a scar at the site where the donor’s hairs are extracted is one of the method’s most important drawbacks. Men who choose to keep their hair short could find this to be a cause for concern.
FUE
Follicular unit extraction, more commonly referred to as FUE, is a more recent method that, as of the year 2017, is the most common type of hair restoration surgery.
Even with short hair, most patients will not be able to notice the tiny circular scars that are left behind by FUE hair transplantation in the donor area. These scars are scattered in a pattern.
FUE is often connected with shorter periods required for healing and less scarring. However, the process is more laborious and takes a longer amount of time.
Hair Transplant Consultation
The majority of people have the misconception that hair transplant consultations are easy. Nevertheless, it is not as simple as scheduling an appointment for your operation.
Even if you are willing to pay the total cost of a hair transplant out of pocket, you still won’t be able to go in, mention that you’re interested in a treatment, and receive a time slot immediately.
Why? To begin with, hair transplant surgery is not a viable option for everyone who wants to restore their natural hair.
Checks and considerations are given to factors such as whether or not you have an adequate supply of donor’s hair and the type of hair thinning that you suffer from.
And these are the kinds of details that can only be provided with precision by a trustworthy and well-known medical professional.
If you do decide to go through with the procedure, there are a lot of hospitals and clinics that will give you this money back.
You could also come across medical facilities that provide complimentary consultations. Be aware, however, that your consultation won’t always be with a doctor or surgeon but rather with the hair transplant specialist at the clinic.
If that’s the case, you should be prepared for the possibilities. Because of this, it is possible that you will not obtain a comprehensive clinical assessment of your problem and the recommended next steps for you to take.
A personal consultation is, above and beyond personal research and word-of-mouth recommendations, the most effective method for determining whether or not hair transplant surgery is right for you and whether or not you are likely to be able to collaborate with a qualified physician.
Because this is going to be such a substantial financial expenditure, you will want to work with somebody who has a comprehensive understanding of your aesthetic preferences and objectives. Even if this means that you have to pay for a consultation right from the bat, you can be assured that it will be money well spent.
Who is a good candidate for getting a hair transplant?
Your looks and your sense of self-confidence can both benefit from getting a hair transplant. These individuals are excellent prospects for a hair transplant:
- Those who suffer from male pattern baldness
- Ladies who are experiencing hair loss
- Someone who has had some hair loss as a result of a burn or other damage to the scalp
The following situations are not suitable candidates for hair replacement:
- Ladies who have a trend of hair loss that is broad over the scalp
- Individuals who do not possess a sufficient number of “donor” hair spots from which to take hair for transplantation.
- Individuals who have an accident or undergo surgery and subsequently develop keloid scars, which are thick, fibrous scars.
- Individuals whose baldness is brought on by medical treatments, such as chemotherapy
How much is the cost of a hair transplant in Australia?
Because a hair transplant is considered a form of cosmetic surgery, the procedure does not typically qualify for rebates through Medicare or private health insurance.
As a result, you may find that you will be responsible for paying a significant portion of the costs associated with getting the procedure done on your own.
According to the estimates provided by the Australian consumer advocacy organization CHOICE, the cost of a hair transplant can range anywhere from AU$11,000 to AU$18,000; however, in many instances, the procedure can cost as much as AU$30,000. As the hair continues to get thinner over time, the operation may need to be repeated.
The extent of hair loss, in addition to the type of hair transplant surgery that your physician suggests, is another factor that can have an impact on the overall cost of a hair transplant.
In general, the probability of the operation costing more increases in proportion to the size of the balding or thinning area.
What exactly takes place during the hair transplant procedure?
After properly cleaning your scalp, a surgeon will use a tiny needle to inject a local anesthetic into a specific region of your head to numb that region.
Follicular Unit Extraction and Follicular Unit Transplantation are the two primary methods that are utilized to collect follicles for transplantation.
When doing follicular unit transplantation, often known as FUT:
- The surgeon will remove a section of scalp skin from the back of the patient’s head by cutting it with a knife. The length of the incision is commonly measured in inches.
- After that, stitches are used to seal it up.
- Following this, the surgeon uses a magnifying lens and a sharp surgical knife to cut the piece of the scalp that was removed into smaller sections. These pieces, once implanted, will assist in achieving hair growth that seems to be completely natural.
In the process known as follicular unit extraction or FUE, the hair follicles are removed straight from the back of the head by making anywhere from hundreds to thousands of very small punch wounds.
- In the region of your scalp that will be getting the hair transplant, the surgeon will cut very small holes using either a blade or a needle. They work carefully to insert hairs into these voids.
- A single session of therapy may include the transplantation of hundreds or even thousands of hairs by a surgeon.
- Following the procedure, your scalp will be covered with graft, gauze, or bandages for a few days.
- A procedure for hair transplantation might last for at least four hours. After about 10 days have passed after your operation, your sutures will be removed.
- You may need anywhere from three to four treatments to acquire the full head of hair that you desire. Sessions are spaced out over several months to give each transplant sufficient time to recover.
What should be expected after getting a hair transplant?
As a result of the hair transplant procedure, your scalp can be in pain, and your doctor might prescribe painkillers and other drugs, such as:
- Medicine to treat pain
- Medicines can lessen the likelihood of you contracting an infection
- Drugs that reduce inflammation to control the edema
- The majority of patients can go back to work a few days following surgery.
After the treatment, it is common for the transplanted hair to fall out two to three weeks later. This clears the way for the development of new hair.
Between 8 and 12 months after surgery, the majority of patients will observe fresh hair growth of some kind.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) or the medicine finasteride (Propecia) for hair growth is a common treatment for improving hair regrowth prescribed by many medical professionals. These drugs can also help slow down or halt the loss of hair in the future.
Do the outcomes justify the effort?
Your level of success may differ from person to person when it comes to treating hair loss. It is essential to have reasonable expectations of what may be accomplished, and a specialized physician will be able to assist you in determining the possibility of success based on your unique experience with hair loss.
Patients who began treatment with a greater volume of hair will, on average, have better outcomes than those who began treatment with a lesser volume of hair.
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Transplanting one’s hair can be a highly successful method for enabling men who have lost their hair to regain it and a sense of self-confidence.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that even though the transplanted hairs will be permanent, the thinning process that is damaging the original hairs will continue even after the transplant has been performed unless medication is utilized.
Possible Substitutes/Solutions for the Hair Transplant Procedure
Not everyone has the financial means to pay for hair transplants, or the health or patience to deal with any potential issues that may emerge as a result of the procedure. We are fortunate to have access to a variety of choices, including:
- Wigs and other hairpieces: long gone are the days of the conspicuous toupee; nowadays, men and women of all ages commonly use wigs.
- Consultation with a therapist or a medical professional with any unease induced by hair loss
- Using a shampoo and conditioner created specifically for thinning hair, such as Pilot’s Hair Growth Shampoo & Conditioner, which is intended to establish the basis for stronger, healthier, and happier follicles, is one strategy for combating hair loss.
- In addition, Pilot provides non-surgical therapy options, such as topical lotions and/or prescription medications, for patients who choose to avoid invasive procedures. The best part is that there is no need to schedule in-person visits to use it.
- Last but not least, keep in mind that you do not stand alone. Loss of hair is a typical and natural occurrence associated with aging; but, due to inherited factors, it can start much earlier in life for certain people.
- Dealing with hair loss may be an uncomfortable and distressing experience, even though we are pretty certain that the most interesting things about you are not what your hair looks like. You’re not being vain by mulling over all of your choices, but you should keep in mind that there are other possibilities.
FAQs about the cost of a hair transplant in Australia
- Does Medicare fund hair transplants?
The hair transplant treatment is deemed cosmetic and does not qualify for Medicare or private insurance rebates.
If the hair loss was caused by burns or trauma, a hair replacement operation may be reimbursed by health insurance as reconstructive treatment.
- How much would 2000 hair transplants cost?
Patients with male pattern baldness often undergo operations involving roughly 2,000 transplants. This typically ranges from $8,000 to $102,000 nationwide.
- Is a hair transplant painful?
A hair transplant is painless due to local anesthetic and painkillers administered after surgery. Although no procedure is painless and some brief and possibly transitory discomfort is possible, a hair transplant is often a pleasant and simple experience for the majority of hair loss sufferers.
- Are hair implants cost-effective?
In general, hair transplants are more effective than over-the-counter hair restoration solutions. However, there are the following considerations: Ten to eighty percent of the transplanted hair will reach full growth within three to four months.
Conclusion on the cost of a hair transplant in Australia
Even if you are certain that your hair is not the coolest thing about you, dealing with hair loss may be difficult and frustrating.
You are not vain for evaluating all of your possibilities, but keep in mind that alternatives exist. I am confident you now know the average cost of hair transplant in Australia.
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.