Cost Of Hair Plugs

Hair plugs, or hair implants as they are more commonly called, are a great way to combat male pattern baldness and the embarrassment of hair loss.  The cost of hair plugs varies depending on where the procedure is performed and how big an area needs to be covered.  When you are treating baldness with hair implants you want to have a nice job done and scrimping a little on the cost will not be worth it in the long run.

Hair plugs were originally experimented with in Japan before World War II.  Most of the work was done with eye lash implants but some procedures for baldness were also performed.  The majority of the information from these early attempts were lost during the war and it wasn't until the 1950's that hair restoration using hair implants was again attempted.

The original procedures  performed in the 50's did not give very satisfactory results.  The micro-techniques in use today were not possible at that time and it showed.  The transplanted hair was usually inserted into the scalp in fairly large clumps which looked like the hair on a cheap doll's head.  I am sure you have seen the hair on a doll where the artificial strands and placed in 15 to 20 clumps that stick straight out or in all directions.  These groups are plugged into the dolls head thus the term hair plugs for early transplants. 

New technologies initiated in the 1990's has gone a long way toward providing a result that is almost impossible to distinguish from the hair still growing around the bald spot.  In the new technique the physician first removes a strip of hair and skin from the back of the head.  Men almost never lose the hair in this spot.  An assistant then removes the individual follicles and associated glands.  These are cleaned and prepared for insertion.

The surgeon then inserts the hair units in groups of one to three which is how they grow naturally.  The doctor also is careful to lay the hair in the same direction of the surrounding hair which results in a natural look instead of the hair sticking straight up like the old plugs.

The cost of hair plugs can vary quite a bit depending on the skill of the surgeon, geographical location, and number of inserts needed. In the US, the cost for each insert ranges from about $3 to $6. Per plug cost is going to vary depending where the procedure is performed. LA and New York have some of the highest costs while there are perfectly good hair restoration centers in smaller cities that will do a great job for much less.

The other variable to the cost of hair plugs is how many individual hair units need to be transplanted. Most procedures involve from 1000 to 4000 hair follicle implants depending on the area to be covered and the thickness of the hair. As you can see the total cost for the procedure in the US can range from about $3000 to over $20,000.

If you are contemplating hair implants start today to look into different clinics and options.  The more research you do in checking out different programs the happier you will be with the end result.  Start your quest for a great looking head of hair today.

Many people are discovering the excellent health care that can be obtained overseas.  My wife's uncle needed dental surgery performed and he had not insurance.  It was going to cost almost $10,000.  He found a clinic in Thailand that catered to foreign patients and had a great experience.  He got the work done and had a two week vacation in a great tourist destination for about a third of the cost of just the procedure here.  He is very happy with the results and thinks everyone should look into doing this.

Both Brazil and Thailand are expanding their cosmetic surgery services.  Most of the surgeons have been trained in the US and Europe before returning to their homes and setting up clinics.  The care is second to none by most of these health care professionals.