A 2000 graft hair transplant is one of the best hair restoration options for those with moderate balding caused by androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). Good 2000 graft hair transplants can effectively restore full coverage and density in suitable candidates, without depleting the donor area.
If you have Norwood stage 3-4 hair loss, you may be a good candidate for a 2000-graft hair transplant. Here, you’ll learn all about what this procedure entails: whether you’re eligible, how long it takes, how much it could cost, and what recovery looks like for a 2000-graft hair transplant.
Key takeaways
Here, Wimpole Clinic hair transplant surgeon Dr Peter Barron offers his clinical insights into 2000 graft hair transplants.
2000 graft hair transplants are normally recommended for those with moderate balding on a single area of the scalp, or lighter thinning across multiple areas.
As a guide, natural-looking hair transplants have a density of around 35 to 40 grafts per cm² at the hairline, and 20 to 25 grafts per cm² at the crown [1]. So depending on which areas you want to target, a 2000 graft hair transplant should cover around 57 cm² to 100 cm² of your scalp.
The ultimate coverage you achieve depends on several factors, including:
To achieve optimal results, a 2000 graft hair transplant is normally suitable for men at stage 3 to 4 on the Norwood scale. These stages are characterised by advancing hair loss at the temples, with hair loss also starting to affect the crown.
People with curly hair can normally achieve more coverage and density with fewer grafts. That’s down to the curl pattern, which makes the hair appear thicker and minimises scalp visibility through the hair. Dr Barron explains:
“Hair type plays a very large part when estimating the number of grafts required. You could perform the exact same procedure on different people and have very different results depending on the qualities of their hair. This can be most evident when estimating graft numbers for individuals with very curly hair such as Black patients.
Because the hair curls, it can overlap with other surrounding hair follicles a lot more readily and therefore reduce the visibility of the scalp. Straight hair overlaps less than curly or wavy hair and so requires more follicles in a given region to reduce scalp visibility.
Not all straight hair types are the same either. Caucasian hair is typically finer compared to Asian hair which is coarser/thicker and will therefore naturally overlap less. Again, some can argue that Caucasian individuals with blonde or grey coloured hair can have subjectively “better” results than people with brown/black hair due to the decreased contrast between the light coloured hair and underlying pale skin types.”
Hair transplants for people with Afro-textured hair are generally more complex than for those with straight hair, as there’s a higher risk of damaging the grafts when harvesting them [2]. So there’s a tradeoff between graft volume and surgery complexity to consider when getting an Afro hair transplant.
Most men with Norwood stage 3-4 hair loss are eligible for a 2000-graft hair transplant. However, your eligibility could be compromised if:
Non-surgical hair loss treatments can be effective for patients needing a 2000 graft hair transplant. These include:
A 2000-graft hair transplant can transform your receding hairline or fill in a bald spot on your crown. Here are some previous Wimpole Clinic patients who’ve had a 2000 graft hair transplant, the results they’ve achieved, and analysis from our surgeon.
Results shown 8 months after FUE procedure
Results for female patient shown 12 months after FUT procedure
Our patient advisor, James, also had his 1800 graft hair transplant at our London clinic. In this video, he discusses the impact of his hair transplant more than 12 months after the procedure:
“Since having the hair transplant it’s made such a positive impact on my life. I am much more confident in how I look, how I feel, being a dad, being a husband – it’s just made a really positive impact.”
We’ve also carried out hair transplants on high-profile patients, including England cricket captain Ben Stokes. Ben Stokes’s hair transplant consisted of just shy of 2000 grafts:
“It is amazing how much confidence I got from having my hair transplant and seeing the results. I got a lot of comments from the lads on the team before and after I had it done. They’ve said in their own words that it is definitely the best one they’ve seen.”
Watch Ben’s interview with our surgeon Dr Ughratdar in full:
If you’ve had FUT surgery, your surgical team will remove a strip of skin containing 2000 grafts. Research suggests native hair in the donor area at the back of the head contains approximately 80 grafts per cm2, so the strip removed will have an area of approximately 25cm2.
However, you won’t see the strip of skin as this will be closed with stitches immediately after your procedure. While the stitches can look unsightly for a short while, they usually dissolve and come away by themselves, leaving a linear scar that fades over time.
If you’ve had FUE, you’ll be left with a series of small wounds at the back of the head. These will be red and scabby for a while, but as the scabs come away it should be virtually unnoticeable. Here’s how Ben Stokes’s donor area looked immediately after his FUE surgery:
A 2000 graft hair transplant is well within the safe limit for both FUE and FUT surgery, especially if this is your first hair transplant. Male patients with Asian and Caucasian hair types tend to opt for FUE, as this leaves less visible scarring and can have a slightly lower recovery time. DHI — or direct hair implantation — is a type of FUE transplant that uses a machine to implant your grafts. This may be suitable for a 2000 graft procedure.
Women and patients with Afro hair may opt for FUT. FUT scars can be easily hidden with longer hair, so they’re less concerning for female patients. FUT also lowers the risk of graft damage in Black patients, so it’s often recommended to maximise the successful graft take. Our hair transplant technician Evgeniya explains more:
Read our rundown of FUE vs FUT to learn more about the differences and to decide which is right for you.
Most 2000 grafts hair transplants take around 5-6 hours to perform. This is almost always completed within one day. Expect to be at the clinic all day, as you’ll need to prepare for your hair transplant and stay for monitoring for approximately one hour after surgery.
On average, a UK hair transplant costs £3.25 per hair graft. So a 2000 graft hair transplant should cost around £6,500. However, clinics charge different prices based on specific factors, including:
Nobody should pay over the odds for a great hair transplant but you also need to be aware of cut-rate clinics that may skimp on patient safety. Find out the real cost of a hair transplant in our UK hair transplant cost analysis. Wimpole Clinic hair transplant prices start from £3,499.
Recovering from a 2000 graft hair transplant can be intense for the first couple of weeks. You’re likely to feel tired from the surgery, and following the aftercare instructions can be daunting. However, after the first 14 days, you can return to most of your normal activities. (The only exceptions are high-impact exercise like contact sports, or if you’ve experienced any complications.)
Attentive hair transplant aftercare can have a big impact on your overall results, so during the first two weeks, you should:
Your full and final results will be visible 12-18 months after your procedure. Learn more about the hair transplant timeline and what to expect during hair transplant recovery for both FUE and FUT patients.
Getting a 2000 graft hair transplant isn’t a recipe for lifelong hair growth. It’s still possible for vulnerable follicles to shed their hair, resulting in permanent hair loss around the hair transplant site. That’s why ongoing hair transplant maintenance is so important.
Finasteride and minoxidil are first-line treatments for reducing ongoing native hair loss. Most hair transplant patients are advised to use one or both of these. Other options include regular PRP sessions and low-level laser therapy for hair.
The first step to permanent hair restoration is getting a free assessment of your hair and scalp, so you know exactly how many grafts you need to achieve your desired results. At the Wimpole Clinic, our team is ready to set you on a safe, successful path to hair regrowth.
Book a free consultation at your nearest Wimpole Clinic location and meet with a friendly, knowledgeable patient advisor near you.
Learn more about 2000 graft hair transplants in these frequently asked questions.
According to data from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons, 2000 grafts is roughly the average number of grafts for a single procedure. Statistics show that the average FUT procedure involves transplanting 2100 grafts, while 2262 grafts are transplanted on average via FUE [6].
Often, yes. But it depends on the extent of your hair loss and whether your hair loss has been stabilised, as well as your age. Conscientious hair transplant surgeons may be reluctant to operate on you if you have active hair loss, as this will continue around the transplanted grafts. Dr Barron explains:
“I avoid performing procedures on those under 25 and probably could count the number I’ve done on one hand. Those that I have done have stabilised their hair loss prior to a transplant and have a long term plan in mind should they lose more hair.“My hairlines, even for young patients, err on the conservative side so as to not look incongruous as they get older. If you give them an 18 year old’s hairline whilst they’re 25, it is going to be their permanent hairline for when they are 50, 60, 70 years old. A transplanted hairline doesn’t change with time as a natural one does.”
“I avoid performing procedures on those under 25 and probably could count the number I’ve done on one hand. Those that I have done have stabilised their hair loss prior to a transplant and have a long term plan in mind should they lose more hair.
“My hairlines, even for young patients, err on the conservative side so as to not look incongruous as they get older. If you give them an 18 year old’s hairline whilst they’re 25, it is going to be their permanent hairline for when they are 50, 60, 70 years old. A transplanted hairline doesn’t change with time as a natural one does.”
Age isn’t always the most important factor in determining your eligibility, though, so book a consultation to discuss your specific circumstances.
The best way is to seek advice from a reputable clinic. Experienced staff can give you an accurate graft estimate with a simple visual assessment of your hair.
This is important, as it’s easy to underestimate or overestimate the number of grafts you need when assessing your own hair loss and desired coverage. And unscrupulous clinics may unnecessarily inflate your graft estimate to boost the procedure cost.
Each graft holds between 1 and 5 hair follicles. Depending on the grafts that are extracted from your donor region, 2000 grafts normally yield around 4000 to 5000 hairs [7].
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
Dr Peter Barron (GMC 7841164) is based at our London Harley Street surgical headquarters and specialises in FUE hair transplants. Dr Barron received his medical degree alongside a 1st class masters in medical sciences from the University of Southampton. He was awarded a distinction in his pre-clinical years, received a letter of commendation during his clinical placements and after graduation received a certificate recognising his work as a neurosurgical clinical fellow at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Alongside his career in the NHS, Dr Barron worked as an honorary research fellow within the University of Edinburgh. His work has been published and presented internationally and again culminated in awards.
Dr Barron sought to further incorporate his creative, precise and forward thinking nature within his surgical practice by joining the internationally renowned Wimpole Clinic as an FUE hair transplant surgeon. He had the privilege of learning from the elite team of surgeons under the prestigious Wimpole Training Academy. He received further advanced training at our world renowned Mayfair Hair Clinic, under the lead surgeon Dr Kieran Dayah. He has been able to master the sapphire blade to craft high density results whilst minimising inflammation and scarring. He continues to appraise the latest advances in hair restoration surgery to ensure his consultations with prospective clients are evidenced based, with his practice remaining at the cutting edge.
Dr Barron prides himself on working with his clients to reconstruct ultra natural looking results. He is able to utilise his interest in photography to ensure that symmetry and fine details are not overlooked. Attention is given to matching the angulation and direction of existing hairs as well as incorporating macro- and micro-irregularities to advance his work into the highest tiers of the industry. Alongside producing visually impressive results, Dr Barron aims to make sure that his clients have a positive, personalised and well supported experience from their first consultation through to their results follow up.
