Hair transplantation is a booming industry. The number of people getting hair transplants has exploded in recent years, increasing by 152% from 2010 to 2021 [1]. However, despite their growing popularity, many still have doubts about whether hair transplant surgery is right for them.
You may worry that the transplanted hair won’t look natural, the surgery won’t work, or that everyone will be able to tell you’ve had a hair transplant. Or maybe you’re just not sure if hair transplants are worth the money.
Many patients who’ve had a hair transplant say in their reviews it’s one of the best things they’ve done for their self-worth and confidence, and hair transplant success rates at the Wimpole Clinic are 97-100%.
Hair transplants can be life-changing, but they’re not right for everyone. In this article, we’ll explore:
Key takeaways
Here, Wimpole Clinic hair transplant surgeons Dr Moussa and Dr Gadhia share their experiences from performing hair transplant surgeries.
Ultimately, only you can decide if it’s worth getting a hair transplant to restore your lost or thinning hair. For most people, the decision comes down to a combination of factors:
Let’s explore each of these concerns to determine how likely they are to affect you, and whether it should stop you from getting hair restoration surgery.
Affordability is a key concern for people considering whether hair transplantation is worth it. We find that many people are surprised that the average hair transplant cost in the UK is just £4,820 for approximately 2,000 grafts.
There has always been a misconception about the affordability of hair transplantation surgery following Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant, which reportedly cost £30,000.
This is well above the cost of a similar procedure at the Wimpole Clinic. Our patients are often surprised at how affordable the Wimpole Clinic’s hair transplants are, especially as we’ve worked with high-profile patients including Arsenal’s Rob Holding.
We respect the privacy of all our patients, but can share that Holding’s procedure did not cost much more or less than the average UK figure we discovered in our hair transplant cost analysis.
Many people assume they’re priced out of a hair transplant procedure, which forces them to take a punt on cut-price hair transplants in Turkey (sometimes paying as little as £700) and hope for the best.
While this can sometimes pay off, it’s a risky strategy. Cheap hair transplant clinics are known to cut corners when it comes to patient safety. There have been reports of taxi drivers performing hair transplant procedures, unsanitary clinic environments, and fraudulent social media campaigns that overpromise and underdeliver hair growth results [2].
Aside from the risk of complications like infection, sepsis, and even hair transplant death, you’re more likely to receive a failed or botched hair transplant from a subpar clinic. These photos show a patient’s hair after a 5,000 graft hair transplant from a black-market Turkish clinic:
Source: ISHRS — Patient Shares Story of Bad Hair Transplant In Turkey
Even though he may have paid less than other patients initially, he ultimately needed an additional hair transplant procedure from a good clinic to fix a bad hair transplant. All things being considered, this patient’s hair transplant costs were, in total, more than they should have been, in part due to the need for surgery to repair the failed transplant.
That’s why it’s so important to choose a good clinic from the outset and not be tempted by a cheap hair transplant, as you will be far more likely to get good results on the first attempt. Here’s how this patient’s hair looked after his repair surgery:
There are plenty of excellent, affordable hair restoration clinics in the UK. We conducted a hair transplant costs survey of 104 clinics and found that the average price of a Norwood 2-3 hair transplant is £4,820. With hair transplant finance options also available, this can make quality hair transplants more affordable than you might think.
At the Wimpole Clinic, hair transplant prices start at £3,499 for FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), with the latter tending to be more expensive. This is because FUT requires more surgical staff due to the method of harvesting follicles. One of our patients said:
“I had consulted with 6 others [clinics] in London and 3 outside and none of them were as transparent about cost and process. I was particularly shocked at how reasonable the price of the procedure was.”
There are many factors that determine whether you’re a good candidate for a hair transplant or not. These factors include:
Check out our full guide to what makes a good hair transplant candidate.
You might be wondering whether a hair transplant is worth it for the extent of your hair loss if:
Both of these points may be valid. If you’re still in the early stages of hair loss, it may be too soon for a hair transplant. Instead, try a non-surgical treatment like Minoxidil or Finasteride to help treat your hair loss. Used early and consistently enough, these treatments can prevent you from needing a hair transplant altogether.
On the flip side, those with extensive hair loss will need to temper their expectations when it comes to getting a hair transplant. High graft volume hair transplants are possible, but not everyone is eligible.
The Norwood Scale is usually used to measure hair loss in men. Here’s how many hair grafts you’re likely to need based on your hair loss zones:
A good hair transplant surgeon should consider the number of remaining healthy hair follicles that can be transplanted when considering the appropriate amount of hair grafts. If you’re at Norwood stage 5 or later, find a hair transplant clinic that will tell you if it’s too late for a hair transplant and give you an honest appraisal of the results you can expect.
Female pattern hair loss presents differently from male pattern baldness, as you can see from the Ludwig scale below:
To understand whether a female hair transplant is worth it for your hair loss, it’s best to book a consultation with a trichologist to learn about your options. Female hair loss can be more complex to diagnose and treat.
While it’s possible for many people to get a full head of hair from a hair transplant, that isn’t always feasible. Your hair transplant surgeon will discuss which outcomes are realistic for you at your initial consultation — if you have extensive hair loss, it may be possible to thicken key areas but not to provide full coverage.
Here are some examples of successful results from the Wimpole Clinic, awarded best hair transplant clinic for four years running:
This patient had a 900 graft hair transplant using FUT. As you can see, his hairline and overall density have significantly improved, but he still has a slightly M-shaped hairline.
However, his hairline is natural-looking, age-appropriate, and a significant improvement from his previous look.
The patient had a 2,000 graft hair transplant (FUE) for significant thinning on the crown. After 6 months, his density is much better, but there you can still see his scalp through his hair.
However, his coverage likely improved further because it takes 12-18 months to see final results after a hair transplant. That’s another factor to bear in mind — results take time, and you won’t have a glossy head of hair immediately, but the final results are worth waiting for.
This female patient had a 2,000 graft FUT Afro hair transplant. After 12 months, she has a very natural-looking hairline which is a great improvement, even though coverage is not quite as thick as the rest of her scalp.
Lee discusses the impact of his hair transplant on his confidence and his appearance.
Neil reveals why he opted for a hair transplant at our Newcastle clinic, and the impact of his procedure.
Dr Umear Ahmad talks about patient results and expectations from FUT and FUT procedures.
The extent of your hair loss is a more important consideration than age from a hair transplant surgeon’s perspective. However, as a patient, your age may influence whether you feel a hair transplant is the right choice for you.
Most hair transplant patients are aged 30-50, but the 2025 ISHRS census results below show that many people also have hair transplants earlier or later than this [6]:
Experts advise waiting until at least 23-25 years old to get a hair transplant, even if you have early hair loss [7]. Getting a hair transplant sooner than this increases your chances of needing further procedures and having issues with the donor supply further down the line.
The hair transplant recovery period is usually mild, and worth it for most people. Complications are rare — research suggests the minor complication rate is just 0.1% for hair transplants [8].
Some minor pain, hair transplant swelling, and redness are to be expected for the first week or two post-op. You’ll need to follow washing, sleeping and activity guidelines for the first couple of weeks, but you can return to most activities after that and the long-term results outweigh the short-term inconvenience.
You should expect to experience shock loss, which is when the transplanted hair falls out. This usually happens within the first couple of months, but it’s temporary and new hair will start growing by 3-4 months. Final results will be visible by 12-18 months post-op.
While it seems like the obvious choice, a hair transplant shouldn’t be your first port of call for hair restoration. A reputable clinic should discuss non-surgical options and never pressure you into choosing a hair transplant.
There are lots of alternative non-surgical hair loss treatments to try first, especially if you’re still in the early stages of hair loss.
These treatments include:
These treatments can slow your hair loss so much that you might not even need a hair transplant. So it’s a good idea to try these options before deciding on whether a hair transplant is worth it.
If you do decide to get a hair transplant, these treatments can also be used alongside it to prevent ongoing hair loss and keep your hair transplant in good condition.
Alternative treatments for hair loss include Minoxidil, Finasteride, low-level laser therapy and PRP. The upfront cost of a hair transplant is higher than these treatments, usually costing several thousand pounds as a one-time expense.
While the other treatments are cheaper initially, costs add up over time, particularly if you’re using multiple treatments. For example, in the UK, PRP hair treatment costs between £175 and £850 per session, with an average of £300-400. At the Wimpole Clinic, costs for PRP start at £295 per session.
If you take the average UK hair transplant cost (£4,820) and the average cost for a PRP session (£350), you’ll pay the equivalent of the average hair transplant after less than 14 PRP sessions. If you’re also using medication, low-level laser therapy, and other products or treatments, costs can build rapidly.
However, it’s not always as simple as cost alone. None of the alternative treatments discussed here can cause hair to grow if there are no follicles in the area, and they’re not suitable for all types of alopecia.
A hair transplant can give you hair in areas that have never had follicles, but again, it’s not suitable for every type of hair loss and not everyone is a candidate. Our experienced trichologists can guide you as to which treatments may be the best option for you.
Unfortunately, yes — some people do regret getting a hair transplant, whether it’s because they didn’t get the results they wanted, or experienced severe hair transplant side effects. Again, this is far more likely if you have a cheap, low-quality hair transplant abroad.
However, most people who have had a successful hair transplant have no regrets. The best way to make sure you’re working with a great clinic that’s likely to give you fantastic results is to check out their hair transplant reviews, and their before and after hair transplant photos. Here’s a selection from our clinic:
And here are a few recent reviews of the Wimpole Clinic from Trustpilot, where we have an overall rating of 4.9/5 with over 1,300 reviews:
Most regrets stem from:
Most hair transplant clinics offer a free consultation. Make the most of this and ask lots of questions, so you have all the information you need to make the right decision.
A hair transplant isn’t worth it for everyone. Here are some scenarios in which a hair transplant may not be the best option for you:
If you’re unsure whether a hair transplant is worth it for you, our expert hair doctors can help. We’ll diagnose your hair loss, run through all your treatment options, and address any questions and concerns you might have.
If you are not sure what to ask your hair loss specialist, check out our list of questions to ask before a hair transplant to get the most out of your consultation. If you are a candidate for a natural-looking hair transplant, you’ll have access to some of the best hair transplant surgeons in the UK.
We’ll never pressure you to choose any particular treatment, and will always offer honest, impartial advice. Book a consultation at your nearest clinic location to learn whether a hair transplant is right for you.
If you have diffuse thinning on top of your head due to female pattern hair loss, a hair transplant can be the right solution. However, diffuse unpatterned thinning affecting your whole scalp can not usually be treated with a hair transplant due to the lack of a safe donor area.
When choosing a hair transplant clinic, before and after photos and patient reviews give you the best idea of the quality of their work. At the Wimpole Clinic, we have over 1,300 reviews on Trustpilot and over 96% of them are 5-star. A quality clinic should also offer:
In general, hair transplants are suitable for all hair types. Your surgeon will carefully assess your hair type to ensure natural results when planning your procedure. Dr Gadhia, a hair transplant surgeon at the Wimpole Clinic, gives an example of how hair type can affect the choice of transplant type:
“In Afro-Caribbean hair types, where curlier roots can make FUE extraction more challenging, FUT may be a more desirable option as it reduces the risk of follicular transection.”
Ultimately, you’ll need a consultation with a hair transplant surgeon to determine if you should get a second transplant. However, you may need additional sessions if you have extensive hair loss, your hair loss is still progressing, or if you want greater density than is possible to achieve in one session.
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
Dr Ahmad Moussa is an experienced surgeon. His qualifications include a Master of Science degree in General Surgery, Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Doctorate degree in Neurosurgery and Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Neurosurgery. He is a member of the British Medical Association and the Society of British Neurological Surgeons. Dr Moussa has over 15 years’ experience working in neurosurgery and is a GMC and Royal College of Surgeons certified Neurosurgeon.
His training and subsequent work as a consultant neurosurgeon in the NHS has included performing intricate brain surgery while patients are fully awake to be able to safely resect complex brain tumours. This level of skill, expertise and familiarity with the scalp has allowed Dr Moussa to successfully step into the rewarding world of hair transplant surgery.
Dr Moussa is trained in FUT and FUE hair transplant techniques including combining the two techniques together when required to achieve the appropriate number of grafts without overharvesting. He successfully carries out hair transplant surgery for both scalp and beard hair loss. Registered Number: 6065705
