What Are the Disadvantages of Hair Transplants?

There’s no getting around the fact that hair transplants come with certain drawbacks.

Like any surgery, elective or otherwise, there are risks to consider, and it will require an investment of time, money, and energy to do it the right way.

In this piece, we’re going to go through a few of the less positive aspects of hair transplant surgery, but this will ultimately give you the information you need to make the best choice for your future. 

We think that with the right knowledge and confidence in your surgeons, you can be mentally equipped to take the leap and make this life-changing decision.

Here are the main things you should know moving forward.

Consider the Investment

There is a certain degree of sticker shock when men and women first become interested in hair transplants, and we understand the initial hesitation.

The cost of a single procedure can range anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 USD. The final cost of a transplant will, of course, depend on the reputation of the surgeon, the severity of the patient’s hair loss, and the number of total follicles harvested and grafted.

Just like any major investment in life, you’ll want to consult a few different transplant professionals and get multiple opinions on how to best address your case. Getting information and quotes from several doctors will give you a better understanding of the surgery in general, and provide you with a deeper sense of confidence in your choice.

The last thing you want to do is blindly trust the first doctor you meet, or rely on one wobbly testimonial from a guy who works at your office!

Do the research, put in a bit of legwork and you will find that your hesitations and apprehensions about the entire process will subside in time.

Take Recovery Seriously

Some folks think that they can simply jump off the operating table following a hair transplant, and get right back to living their lives as if nothing happened! We hate to break it to you, but if you believe that to be the case, you may have been misled by those who don’t have your best interests in mind.

The truth is that the hair transplant recovery process is a big deal, and how you approach post-op care can make a big difference in your overall results.

Since the surgeon uses masterful artistic and scientific skills to renew your entire look, you have to uphold your end of the bargain too, and that means proper hair transplant aftercare. 

A lot of our own articles discuss this topic in more detail, but for our purposes here, expect to spend at least two weeks laying low and doing very little physical activity. That means cutting out contact sports like basketball, keeping your morning jog to a minimum, and even sacrificing some bedroom time with your spouse.

Since you want all your bases covered, you may want to purchase some additional medication to reduce inflammation and even coax your hair into growing back more.

Recovery costs can add up as well, so be sure to factor those extra meds into your budget if they are in order.

Advancements in Hair Transplant Procedures

Unfortunately, some men and women are stuck in the ‘90s when it comes to their knowledge of hair transplant technology. That’s too bad because things have come a long way since then. If you considered a hair transplant at some point back in the day but never pulled the trigger, you owe it to yourself to see what great advancements have since been made.

Follicular Unit Excision is one of our most impressive leaps forward in this space, allowing surgeons to draw from a broader donor site and reducing unwanted scarring.

On top of that, the overall level of knowledge and training in the industry has risen dramatically over time, as more folks seek this surgery and more innovators get into the business.

Even with advancements, a few risk factors still exist including scarring, infection, and excess bleeding. While these can occur in less sanitary environments and under less-qualified surgeons, we encourage you to seek a clinic with a proven track record so you can easily avoid these pitfalls.

Be sure to read plenty of surgeon reviews and customer testimonials to see how real people respond to the procedure you are about to undergo.

It wasn’t that long ago that we had to rely on word of mouth to get the best treatment, but now the internet provides us with highly reliable resources to make the best possible pick. Still, many folks make hasty decisions and hope to save time and money by going for lower-tier work. It can’t be overstated: you get what you pay for.

Even if your preferred clinic is out of state or in another country altogether, it is 100% worth the extra investment to get a transplant that satisfies for the long term.

You Can Make It Work

Thousands of people every year make arrangements to get the hair transplant they want.

Whether that means they figure out a payment plan or even orchestrate a surgery on the other side of the country, many folks decide that the overall investment is worth their while.

We truly believe this is the best time in history to get a hair transplant. All you have to do is read some testimonials to see just how thrilled people are with their decision to get it done.

The blueprint is pretty simple:

• Start with an in-depth consultation with a proven, professional doctor.
• Map out a payment plan and surgery schedule.
• Discuss recovery and aftercare, and follow the exact instructions.
• Reconnect with your doctor in the weeks and months after surgery.
• Gauge your level of satisfaction and consider smaller medical treatments to further enhance.

When the process is explained like this, patients see that it really isn’t so intimidating. In fact, it is a low-stress journey that most people find pleasant compared to other procedures.

Even if a hair transplant doesn’t seem to be the best option for you, it is worth talking with a hair restoration specialist to see what other suggestions they may have.

At the very least, you can walk away with some extra knowledge on the subject and have a reliable contact if you ever do decide to commit to a hair transplant in the future. 

Conclusion

Everyone has been at difficult junctures in their lives, and considering a hair transplant is one of those major life choices that warrants a lot of deep thought.

The cost, recovery time, and some minor discomfort may seem daunting, but the upside of a full head of hair is simply too great to ignore. Once our patients get back to living with boosted confidence and a healthier self-image, they often wonder why they waited so long to commit to the procedure in the first place!

If you’re someone who’s on the fence about finally getting a hair transplant, we encourage you to book a consultation with one of our doctors and talk it through.

Many folks fight a mental battle about hair loss every day and never vocalize their thoughts about their struggle or try to figure out solutions. Just taking that first step can help you break through those imaginary barriers and toward a brighter, better future!

For daily musings and insights on today’s hair restoration community, be sure to check out our blog, and never miss a potentially life-changing post!

Sources:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/cost-of-hair-transplant#recovery-cost 
2. https://www.allure.com/story/how-hair-transplant-works-cost 
3. https://www.forhims.com/blog/true-cost-hair-transplants-time-money-side-effects