Hair transplant7 min read
Hair Transplant Cost: Per Graft or Package Price?
Hair transplant clinics quote prices in two ways: a fee for every graft, or one package price for the whole session. The two can look very different on paper while describing the same operation. This article explains how each model works, what a complete quote should contain, why very low offers deserve a second look and what City Medical Centre charges for each method.
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Medically reviewed by Ellina V. Goncharova, dermatovenereologist, trichologist, surgeon. Review date: .
The main points in 30 seconds
- Clinics quote either per graft or as one package; check the total, not the headline.
- Grafts usually hold one to four hairs, so graft count is not hair count.
- A complete quote names the method, graft number, anaesthesia, medication and follow-up.
- Very low offers deserve questions about the surgeon, aftercare and revisions.
- City Medical Centre: FUE $2,200, DHI $2,500, FUE+DHI $2,700, confirmed in writing.
Key facts about the procedure
- Stay in clinicSame day
- Final result12–18 months
- AnaesthesiaLocal
- Price
$2,700from $2,200
Two ways clinics quote a hair transplant
When you search for hair transplant cost, you meet two kinds of offers. Some clinics name a price per graft and multiply it by the number of grafts your plan needs. Others give a package price for the full session, regardless of the exact graft count. Both are legitimate, and neither is automatically cheaper.
Hair Transplant London, Hair Transplant Dublin — price and consultation.
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WhatsAppA graft, also called a follicular unit, is a small natural group of hairs that is moved from the donor area at the back and sides of the head to the thinning area. According to the NHS, grafts usually hold between one and four hairs. A per-graft price therefore only makes sense when you know how many grafts will be placed and what is counted as a graft.
The right question is not which model is cheaper, but what you will pay in total for a plan that your surgeon actually considers right for you.
How per-graft pricing works
With a per-graft quote the total is simple arithmetic: price per graft multiplied by the number of grafts. It looks transparent, and it can be fair when the plan is clear. Its weak point is that the graft number is an estimate until the day of surgery.
More on this topic: Hair Transplant, Beard Transplant, Eyebrow Transplant, FUE & DHI Hair Transplant in Singapore, FUE & DHI Hair Transplant in Málaga.
- The count can change. The surgeon may harvest more or fewer grafts depending on donor density and the design of the hairline.
- A low rate can hide a high total. A small figure per graft multiplied by a large number can end up above a package price.
- Definitions differ. One clinic counts every follicular unit, another counts hairs. Ask which unit is used in the quote.
- Extras may be separate. Anaesthesia, medication and follow-up are sometimes charged on top.
Ask for the expected number of grafts in writing, together with the maximum total you can be asked to pay if the plan changes.
Hair transplant abroad: choose a city and clinic
Prices, the clinic and a free online consultation for each city:
How package pricing works
A package price covers a defined treatment, for example a session with a chosen method, instead of counting each graft. It is easier to plan around, because the figure does not move with the graft count. The trade-off is that you must understand what the package covers and what happens if more work is needed later.
How the total is built
- Per-graft quote
- Rate multiplied by number of grafts
- Package quote
- One agreed figure for the session
Main advantage
- Per-graft quote
- Easy to see how each graft is priced
- Package quote
- Predictable total
Main risk
- Per-graft quote
- Total changes if the graft count changes
- Package quote
- Unclear what is and is not included
Key question
- Per-graft quote
- How many grafts, and what counts as one?
- Package quote
- What exactly is covered, and for how long?
Whichever model you choose, the final amount should be confirmed in writing before you travel or pay a deposit.
What a complete quote should include
Two quotes can only be compared when they cover the same things. Before you decide, check that the following are named clearly:
- the method that will be used and why it suits your type of hair loss;
- the expected number of grafts and the area to be covered;
- local anaesthesia and, if used, sedation;
- medication and care products given after surgery;
- follow-up contact in the weeks and months afterwards;
- what happens if a second session is advised.
The CDC advises patients who travel for treatment to confirm whether follow-up care is included in the cost, noting that some overseas providers charge substantial extra fees for it. The same agency suggests asking whether follow-up takes place at the clinic that performed the procedure.
What really changes the price
The NHS explains that the cost of a hair transplant depends on the extent of hair loss, the type of procedure and the quality of the clinic and team. A small area at the hairline is a smaller job than a full top and crown. Large areas may need two or more sessions on different days.
Cleveland Clinic notes that insurance rarely covers elective cosmetic procedures, so most patients pay the whole amount themselves. That is a good reason to understand the quote before you accept it.
The method also matters. FUE removes individual follicular units one at a time from the donor area. DHI places them with a special implanter pen. A combined FUE+DHI approach is used when both extraction and dense implantation are planned. Each takes a different amount of time and equipment, which is reflected in the price.
Why a very low quote needs a second look
A low price is not a problem in itself. A low price with no explanation is. Questions that help separate a fair offer from a risky one:
- Who performs the key steps, and can you speak to the surgeon before you pay?
- Is the graft number realistic for your donor area, or is it inflated to fit a package?
- What is the plan if there is a complication or a graft does not grow?
- Is revision work included, or charged separately?
The NHS also suggests asking about the surgeon’s qualifications and experience, which type of transplant is recommended and why, and what follow-up to expect. The CDC points out that infections and revisions for unsatisfactory results can add to the initial cost of surgery abroad. A cheap offer that leads to a second operation is not cheap.
City Medical Centre prices
At City Medical Centre, a hair transplant by FUE costs $2,200, DHI costs $2,500 and the combined FUE+DHI method costs $2,700. The final price is confirmed in writing after the free consultation.
The method is chosen after assessment. FUE is used for androgenetic alopecia, and FUE+DHI is used for androgenetic alopecia and when the aim is to increase density. Patchy hair loss from alopecia areata is not a suitable indication. You can read about the procedure on the hair transplant page.
Getting an exact quote at City Medical Centre
City Medical Centre works with international patients. The first consultation is free and can be held online. Send clear photos of the front, top, crown and the back and sides of your head, and tell us about your hair loss history. The doctor assesses your donor area, recommends a method and names the price, which is then fixed in the contract. A personal coordinator stays with you from your first message to the end of recovery, and photos and questions can be sent by Telegram.
Start with the free hair transplant consultation and compare the written quote with any other offer line by line.
How recovery usually goes
- 0-10 daysHealing: the crusts come off, the swelling goes down, the area gradually recovers
- 2-4 weeksShedding of the transplanted hairs: a normal stage, only the hairs fall out, the follicles stay in place
- 3-4 monthsGrowth begins: new hairs gradually appear, the result starts to show
- 6-9 monthsVisible density: the hair becomes thicker, the main volume and contour are visible
- 12-18 monthsFinal result: the final density and a natural hairline take shape
Sources
- NHS - Hair transplant
- Cleveland Clinic - Hair loss and hair restoration surgery
- CDC Yellow Book - Medical tourism
- PubMed / NCBI — Follicular Unit Extraction for Hair Transplantation: An Update (Actas Dermosifiliogr, 2017)
- PubMed / NCBI — Donor site healing in follicular unit extraction hair transplantation (Cell Mol Biol, 2025)
Medical disclaimer. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Every procedure has contraindications and risks. Read more · How we prepare and review medical content
Frequently asked questions
Is a per-graft price cheaper than a package price?
Not necessarily. A low rate per graft can lead to a high total when the plan needs many grafts, and the graft number may change on the day. A package gives a predictable figure but needs a clear list of what it covers. Compare totals for the same plan, not headline rates.
How many grafts will I need?
It depends on the area to be covered, your donor density and the design the doctor recommends. The NHS notes that grafts contain one to four hairs, so graft count and hair count are different things. The doctor can give a realistic estimate only after seeing your scalp or clear photos.
What should I ask before paying a deposit?
Ask for the method, the expected graft number, what is included, how follow-up works and what happens if a second session is advised. Get the final price in writing. Also ask who will perform the key steps and whether you can speak to the surgeon before the date.
Does insurance pay for a hair transplant?
Rarely. Cleveland Clinic notes that insurance seldom covers elective cosmetic procedures, so patients usually pay in full themselves. Check your own policy if you are unsure, and keep any written quote and medical documents the clinic gives you.
Why do FUE and DHI cost different amounts?
They use different tools and take different amounts of time. FUE extracts units one at a time, while DHI implants them with a special pen. The combined method uses both. At City Medical Centre, FUE is $2,200, DHI is $2,500 and FUE+DHI is $2,700, confirmed in writing after the free consultation.
Can I get a quote online?
Yes, an indicative assessment is possible from photos, but the final price is confirmed in writing after the free consultation. At City Medical Centre the consultation can be held online, and the price is then fixed in the contract.
Have a question about your case? Get a free consultation
Message a coordinator on Telegram: we reply right in the chat, and you can send photos and questions there too.
- The first consultation is free, online consultations are available
- The doctor names the cost after the assessment, and it is fixed in the contract
- A personal coordinator guides you from the first message to recovery
Message our coordinator
We reply right in the chat — you can send photos
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