What’s the Cost of a Hair Transplant in the UK?
Receiving a hair transplant in the UK can cost between £4-15k. As with any medical procedure, you should not cut any corners where possible. Carefully consider all the costs and proceed with the best possible clinic to ensure you get desirable results.
There are two types of hair transplant – FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant). FUE hair transplants are more complicated and labour intensive, and therefore more expensive than the traditional FUT hair transplant. FUE involves individual grafts (rather than a strip of tissue) being removed from the donor area and moved to the areas of the scalp which are balding.
The Dangers of Cheap Hair Transplants
If it looks too good to be true, it more than likely is. This is certainly the case with hair transplant procedures. In recent years, travelling abroad for cheaper hair transplants has become more popular, however, the risks associated with this, are becoming more apparent.
Reports suggest that treatments are being carried out by under-qualified or inexperienced surgeons or technicians, hence the lower price. Clearly this affects the quality of the results and has left patients with a hefty bill to have the results corrected. In the worst cases, patients have suffered long-term or permanent side effects that cannot be corrected.
It’s essential to conduct proper research and check reviews and testimonials before choosing a hair transplant clinic to ensure you get the best possible results and value for money.
A high-quality hair transplant is set around several key factors; the number of hair follicles available for transplant, the accessibility of those hair follicles, the skill and experience of the surgeon and how and where the hair grafts are placed.
The strongest indicators of a healthy transplant become visible a year later when the hair has grown successfully. Patients should no longer worry about their hair, the transplant should not be remarked on by family, friends, and colleagues and the patient’s self-esteem has improved.
Get in touch with Crown Clinic to find out more about hair transplants
What are the potential side effects of a hair transplant?
Potential side effects of a hair transplant include; shedding, bleeding, infections, pain, itching, swelling, numbness, scarring and cysts. Most of these symptoms are uncommon or tend to last a short period of time, however, some are a genuine cause for concern. Here is a brief explanation of why each one could occur and what you should look out for…
Shedding
For many who’ve received a hair transplant the initial stages can be disappointing. As instead of their hair growing and becoming thicker there is often a ‘fall’ first.
This process is widely recognised, it’s known as shedding and is completely normal after transplantation. The transplanted hairs fall out after 2-4 weeks. The new growth starts to appear after 5-6 months.
Occasionally, there is a loss of existing hair because of surgery, although this is rare and will often regrow within a few months.
Bleeding
With any surgical procedure there will always be cuts and blood loss although an experienced doctor will ensure that any blood loss is kept to a minimum both during and after the procedure. If bleeding persists or the transplant is disrupted whilst healing, you should contact your doctor.
Infections
Risk of infection for a hair transplant is low. However, if it does occur a short course of antibiotics should remedy any issues.
Pain
As with any surgical procedure there is likely to be a small amount of pain during the recovery period. Your doctor will prescribe you some painkillers to help.
Itching
The most noted side effect is itching. This is a result of scab formation at the transplant site. There is a simple remedy – spray solution over the grafts and wash the scalp with a mild shampoo. After a few weeks, the itching will go away, it’s just a matter of time.
Swelling
Swelling is another side effect that is very common and seen in most patients. However, the sites of swelling might vary from person to person. So, while some people might have swelling on their forehead, for others it might be around their eyes. Normally, the swelling tends to subside in a few days.
Numbness
Anaesthesia and mild trauma to your scalp can lead to numbness for a few days after a transplant, however, if it proceeds for months afterwards you may have nerve damage. A good surgeon should avoid any long-lasting nerve damage but, in the event, that it does occur seek medical attention.
Scarring
The scars as a result of FUE are minimal and will disappear in a few weeks. As the new hair grows, the small red dots will become concealed. The scars left by an FUT are slightly more dramatic but if you style your hair well they should be easily hidden.
Cysts
Cysts occur after a hair transplant when buried grafts are not taken out properly. Apart from the rare occasion, cysts disappear in a few weeks.
If you’d like to find out more about the hair transplant procedure, please feel free to contact our team who will be happy to help.