Hair transplants are becoming increasingly common, as the stigma around this type of cosmetic procedure continues to lift and the procedure becomes more financially and geographically accessible [1]. Here, discover all the stats you need to know about hair transplantation, from popularity to success rates, plus tons of other useful information to help guide your hair restoration journey.
Backed by research from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS), our original research, and clinical studies, we’ve compiled a definitive list of hair transplant facts and statistics. Prospective patients can better understand the hair transplant procedure, how it works, and how effective it can be. And if you’d like to know more about hair loss in general, see our hair loss facts and statistics.
Key stats
FUE is the most popular type of hair transplant technique, as it’s less invasive than FUT and typically leaves less scarring [1].
That said, FUT is often preferred or recommended for certain patients. Black patients seeking an Afro hair transplant can often benefit from FUT, as the texture of Afro hair puts it at higher risk of damage when harvested via the FUE technique. Women sometimes choose FUT because the scar can be hidden under longer hair.
FUE involves extracting individual hair grafts from the donor area using a micropunch tool, while FUT involves removing a strip of skin from the donor area, then dividing this into individual grafts. The skin is then stitched up, leaving a long thin linear scar. The hair transplant scar tends to be visible if you have a skin fade or another very short style.
Dr Peter Thomas explains more:
Historically, hair transplants are much more popular among male patients. This is probably because male pattern baldness is far more common than female pattern hair loss. Hair loss affects more men at a younger age, which can affect their confidence. That’s why some men choose to surgically enhance their hair, keeping it looking full and youthful for longer.
That said, hair transplants are becoming more popular among women. From 2021 to 2024, the proportion of female hair transplant patients rose from 12.7% to 15.3% [1-2].
Genetic hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss treated by hair transplantation, affecting 70.9% of patients [1]. Hereditary hair loss is very common, and people affected are often good candidates for the procedure. Other types of alopecia may not be treatable with a hair transplant.
In total, the ISHRS estimates that 628,604 hair transplants were performed in 2021. There’s no equivalent figure in the 2025 census, but the average number of surgical patients per ISHRS member has dropped since 2021.
Conversely, the number of non-surgical patients is up by a huge 29.7%. So patients may be turning to medical therapies and other less invasive strategies to manage hair loss before opting for surgery.
First-time procedures in 2024 required 2,347 grafts on average to achieve the patient’s desired look. This is a slight increase from 2021, when 2,176 grafts were needed on average.
Further procedures require fewer grafts to achieve the desired look, at an average of 1,637 grafts.
The maximum number of harvestable grafts for most people is around 6,000, which is why it’s important to choose a hair transplant surgeon with a reputation for careful hair transplant donor area management and conservative graft harvesting.
Our hair transplant cost analysis found that the average cost for a 1500 graft hair transplant is £4,820. This typically includes all pre- and post-operative care, from consultation to essential aftercare medication.
Prices vary from city to city, with Portsmouth and Manchester being the most expensive areas to get a hair transplant. The cheapest locations were Hertfordshire and Sheffield.
Wimpole Clinic hair transplant surgery locations can be found in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Nottingham, with pre- and post-operative care available in many other cities too. Our pricing is standardised across all our clinics, so you can be sure of the highest surgical standards and fair pricing no matter where your hair transplant takes place.
Hair can be a pivotal part of transitioning, whether it’s laser facial hair removal or creating a lower, more feminine hairline. As stigma around transitioning decreases, more transgender hair transplants appear to be taking place.
2.8% of hair transplants in 2024 were performed to address transgender needs, up from 1.8% in 2021.
ISHRS data indicates the most popular reason to have a hair transplant is to become or feel more attractive. Other reasons include:
It’s important not to get a hair transplant too young, as you can easily use up your donor hair while your hair is continuing to shed. That’s why almost three-quarters of ISHRS members say they set a minimum age limit for hair transplant eligibility.
According to the data, the median minimum hair transplant age limit was 23. Some members set the limit as low as 17, while others set it as high as 30.
Hair transplant repair may be necessary after a botched procedure. Choosing a cheap but inexperienced surgeon can lead to unnatural-looking results, which may require costly repair surgery. ISHRS data shows that 6.9% of all hair transplants in 2024 were repair procedures, up from 5.4% in 2021.
While it’s never possible to guarantee results from any type of surgery, there are things you can do to reduce the risks and improve the chances of getting a good result. These include:
Our UK hair transplant cost analysis found that 87% of hair transplant clinics in the UK offer a free consultation, so you can get a quote from a variety of clinics without spending anything. This helps you find a surgeon you click with, as well as ensuring you’re not paying over the odds or harvesting an unnecessarily high number of grafts.
At our award-winning hair transplant clinic, we offer free hair transplant consultations at clinics around the UK. Book a consultation at your most convenient location to find out how we work.
A second hair transplant may be needed if you continue to lose native hair after your first procedure, or if your first hair transplant fails. In 2024, approximately a third of patients opted for an additional hair transplant. This was a slightly higher proportion than in 2021 (31.9%), but still significantly lower than in 2019 (42.7%).
A small 2024 study comparing the use of platelet-rich plasma therapy and FUE hair transplants with FUE alone found that 90% of the PRP and FUE group achieved moderate- to high-density graft survival, compared with 60% in the FUE-only group [3]. Of these, 70% of the PRP and FUE group had high-density graft survival, while all of these FUE-only patients experienced moderate-density graft survival.
PRP hair treatment is becoming more popular as a less invasive hair growth stimulant, but it’s most effective when used in conjunction with hair transplants.
The vast majority of hair transplant patients are 35 or under, with 57.6% of surgeons reporting the average age of first-time patients being 26 to 35. This suggests people are more likely to have a hair transplant before their hair loss becomes widespread.
Tackling hair loss early means you can often achieve better long-term results than if you wait until later in life, especially if you take steps to prevent native hair loss at the same time.
While around a third of surgeons report an average age of 20 to 25, it’s really important to confirm your suitability for surgery at this young age. Many people need to take medication like finasteride to stabilise their hair loss before being accepted for surgery.
A small 2024 study found that just 44% of hair transplant patients were following the medication advice given by their hair transplant surgeon [4].
Not following aftercare advice can be seriously detrimental to the success of your hair transplant, and put you at greater risk of complications like hair transplant infections. People with successful hair transplants — like England cricket captain Ben Stokes — often put their new hair down to following aftercare guidance carefully:
“I was told the aftercare was very very important. So I didn’t properly wash my hair for two weeks, just sprayed it with water in the shower. Avoided knocking it, slept with one of those neck pillows you get on the plane to make sure. I was very lucky, I didn’t scab that badly. But as soon as I felt I could put a hat on, I was going out.”
— Ben Stokes
It’s essential that you take the medications prescribed after a hair transplant to minimise swelling, reduce the risk of infection, and manage any postoperative discomfort. Not doing so can compromise your results.
Other optional medications may be prescribed to limit native hair loss and help your transplanted follicles reconnect to the blood supply after surgery, optimising your long-term results. Here’s how frequently these medications were recommended by ISHRS surgeons in 2024 [1]:
Research indicates that hair transplant success rates are well over 90% in the overall market, often reaching 100% [5]. The Wimpole Clinic’s success rates are between 97% and 100%.
However, we believe hair transplantation surgery should be a last resort in your fight against hair loss. There are plenty of preventative hair loss treatments for men and hair loss treatments for women (including hair loss medication) available, such as minoxidil. A reputable hair transplant specialist will want to get your native hair loss under control before recommending a surgical procedure.
In a successful hair transplant, hair grafts must survive and adapt to the areas they have been transplanted. Many factors influence the success of your surgery. These include:
You should always do your research when opting for a hair transplant. Take a look at the available options and identify reputable surgeons who will deliver the results you want.
Male pattern baldness is the most common hair loss condition worldwide, affecting more than 80% of men by the age of 80 [6]. For many of these men, hair is an important part of their appearance, and losing it results in lack of confidence.
Hair transplantation can help you regain your self-esteem. And it’s more accessible than you might think — hair transplant prices at the Wimpole Clinic start at £3,499, with hair transplant finance packages available to help you spread the cost.
Book a free consultation and check out our list of questions to ask about hair transplants when you meet your surgeon and patient advisor.
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
Dr. Barry Abdelrahimsai (GMC Number 7604040) is an expert in FUE Hair Transplant surgery in London, with a full registration to practice under the GMC. He qualified as a Medical Doctor in 2017 and has been working in a variety of surgical fields until he started specialising in FUE Hair Transplant surgery in 2021 after a number of years in the fields of injectable cosmetic and aesthetic medicine.
His emphasis lies in a holistic approach towards hair loss of different causes, and his background of having both surgical and medical experience, as well as ample experience in the field of General Practice, enable him to offer evidence-based pharmaceutical and surgical treatment of hair loss. Dr. Barry is a crusader of clinical excellence and has a keen eye for detail. Over the years, aside from his special interest in treating male pattern baldness with FUE, he has developed a focus on the reconstructive management of the female brow line and eyebrow reconstruction.
The significant surge in demand for eyebrow reconstruction through follicular transplants has captured his attention, leading him to specialise in this treatment. Employing a bespoke needle rather than a conventional blade, he achieves high density and precise outcomes.
He has a proven track record of achieving exceptionally high hair graft survivability and excels in densely packed incisions, commonly referred to as “dense packing,” while maintaining a natural, mature, yet youthful appearance. Dr. Barry advocates for active patient involvement in their hairline reconstruction, encouraging them to participate in the management and customised design process. He is dedicated to empowering his patients through education and providing them with knowledge on hair loss prevention and reconstruction, aiming to enable them to make informed decisions about their treatment journey.
