Specializing in hair transplantation, hair restoration and hair transplants with hair loss clinics in New Jersey (NJ) & New York (NY)

When considering your options for the treatment of hair loss, cost is a significant factor, especially when it comes to hair transplantation. As a patient, it is important to know that while researching and evaluating hair restoration surgery, procedure cost is as personalized as the patient and a successful hair transplant takes into account a large number of factors aside from just the degree of hair loss.

At IHSG, the cost of your transplant procedure is based on a "per graft" basis but also takes into account cost efficiencies of larger sessions. It is the reason why a personal consultation is crucial to determining accurately your needs and options and is provided with no obligation or cost to the patient.

Regardless of which hair transplant clinic or doctor you decide on your hair restoration procedure and its cost is determined based on:

• * The type of follicular transplant technique
• * The degree of hair loss you have experienced to date
• * The amount of donor hair available
• * Donor hair characteristics (hair caliber, hair texture, hair color)
• * Your desired results

Generally, hair transplant costs can range anywhere from $4000 to $20,000. The cost of your hair transplant depends mostly on how many grafts you need but again there are many factors to consider for a successful hair transplantation procedure. Hair transplant prices vary from clinic to clinic but the range is typically from $3 to $10 per graft, with $5/$6 per graft being the average. The price per graft is also dependent on the type of follicular transplant (strip excision vs. follicular unit extraction). Hair transplant costs will also drop as the surgical session increases. For example a session of 1,000 grafts will not cost twice as much as 500 grafts. Depending on the needs of the patient, a typical session can range from 1,500 to over 4,000 grafts. See chart of costs for a comparison.

Although the cost of your procedure will be determined by your particular individual needs, the following provides a general range of the number of hair grafts required for restoration surgery. Some patients choose to have more than one procedure to achieve their personal goals, but the more hairs that are transplanted during a single procedure, the lower the final cost per graft will be.

Norwood Class II-IV Hair Restoration: 500-1,800 grafts
Norwood Class IV-VI Hair Restoration: 1,600-4,000 grafts
Eyebrow Hair Restoration: 50-200 grafts

Hair Transplant Cost Evolution & Modern Techniques

In recent years hair transplants have become considerably less expensive and a much better value. Not only has the quality of hair transplant results improved dramatically, but more efficient techniques and increased competition have driven prices down.

It was only a few years ago when the hair transplant cost per graft was as much as $15 with only a few hundred grafts transplanted at one time. Today there are several different techniques available for the harvesting of hair follicles the most prominent - follicular unit transplant and follicular unit extraction. Obviously, there are pros and cons to both procedures. The main concern for most patients being both the type of scarring from each procedure and the difference in cost. Because follicular unit extraction is much more labor intensive the cost per graft is naturally more. [More on Follicular Unit Extraction]

Factors to Consider for a Successful Hair Transplant

AGE: Adrogenetic alopecia is typically progressive, meaning it will continue over time. As a result, it can be difficult to predict accurately how much hair a man in his 20's or 30's will lose, and it what pattern, over the course of the next 10-30 years. Planning for hair restoration in a young man must take account of the likelihood of future hair loss.

HAIR LOSS PATTERN TO DATE AND FAMILY HISTORY: An important aspect of hair restoration is to estimate the amount of hair that will likely be available for transplantation and the area to be covered. It's also important to discuss family history of hair loss in male relatives. While it is by no means predictive of the kind of hair loss you will experience, it can provide insight and guidance into the type and extent of hair loss you can expect over a lifetime.

HAIR CHARACTERISTICS: There are 3 main considerations when determining your hair restoration surgery plan:

• * Hair caliber - or the diameter of the hair shaft. Coarse hair will provide a better result in a single session than finer hair and is one of the most important factors in considering the number of follicular units to transplant
• * Hair texture - whether your hair is curly, wavy, frizzy, or straight will affect the transplant results. Wavy or curly hair will cover more surface area than fine, straight hair.
• * Hair color contrast - the color of the hair compared to the skin tone color of the scalp. For example black hairs look thinner on fair skinned individuals, but thicker on someone with a darker complexion. The less contrast in hair color to skin, the thicker the hair transplant will appear.

There are 2 basic models of hair restoration pricing: cost per graft and cost per session. At IHSG, we determine the cost of hair transplants by session based on the cost per graft. The desired results, hair density, the surface area of hair loss, the type of extraction, are all factors in determining the cost of the session and vary from person to person. Call 732.348.8088 to set up an appointment with Dr. Schwinning to determine what type of procedure would be best.

For most hair transplant clinics, prices typically range from $3.00 to $8.00 per graft, with $5/$6 per graft being about average. Graft price also tends to decrease with larger sessions.

Hair transplant surgery is not inexpensive. But when you consider the long term cost of non surgical treatments for hair loss, such as hair systems or hair loss medications, hair transplants can be the best hair restoration value, especially when you factor in the permanence of transplanted hair.

A quality custom hair replacement system on average costs $1,200 and needs to be replaced about once a year. Add to that an average yearly maintenance cost of almost $700 per year and you'll see the cost long term is not the most sustainable.

Hair transplantation is the only permanent solution to hair loss. There are only three other treatments approved by the FDA to re-grow hair, and each require a lifetime commitment. Should you halt treatment, all the hair you have gained or maintained will quickly disappear, along with the money you've invested prior.

100% financing is available for all those who qualify. With Citi Card financing you can stretch out the cost of hair transplants over 2 years with low monthly payments. We offer 2 payment plan types, available through Citi Health Card:

No Interest Payment Plan

• * No interest for 3 months if balance is paid in full within grace period.
• * There are no prepayment penalties.
• * Minimum monthly payments of 2.5% of balance or $10, whichever is greater.
• * Finance charges accrue from date of purchase if balance is not paid in full by end of 3 months.

Budget Payment Plan

• * Equal monthly payments for 48 months.
• * No prepayment penalties.
• * Low monthly payments.

Applications can be processed by our staff in office, by phone, or online.

To process an online application go to [www.healthcard.citicards.com] and click the “Apply Now” tab under the Consumer box. Enter all requested information. Read and agree to the Terms and Conditions. It is recommended to print a copy to file for future reference. Click "Submit Application" to continue. The browser window will advise you that the application is in progress.

If approved, the account number and credit limit will be displayed. This can be printed to bring to IHSG. A photo ID will be required for each transaction. If additional information is required, a pending number and report code will be displayed along with a number to call to complete the application process. If declined, another form of payment will be required. A letter with the reasons for this decision will be sent to the address given on the application within 7-10 days.

To process an application by phone call 1.866.843.2330 and enter the information required for each prompt. Make sure you have a pen or pencil and paper handy. Listen to all legal disclosures and enter “Yes” in order to submit the application. If approved, you will be advised of the approval and credit limit. You will also be directed to call IHSG to schedule your procedure.

Cosmetic Medical Procedures Gross Receipts Tax

Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2004 was passed by the Legislature and enacted on June 29, 2004. Beginning September 1, 2004, it imposes a 6% gross receipts tax on the purchase of certain “cosmetic medical procedures.” Cosmetic Medical Procedures are medical procedures performed in order to improve the human subject’s appearance without significantly serving to prevent or treat illness or disease or to promote proper functioning of the body. The law provides that such procedures include, for example, cosmetic surgery, hair transplants, cosmetic injections, cosmetic soft tissue fillers, dermabrasion and chemical peels, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, laser treatment of leg veins, sclerotherapy, and cosmetic dentistry. They do not include reconstructive surgery or dentistry to correct or minimize abnormal structures caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease, including procedures performed in order to improve function or give the person a more normal appearance. The tax also applies to amounts charged for goods or facility occupancies, such as hospitalization or clinic stays, required for or directly associated with the cosmetic medical procedure. If you do not provide services, products or occupancies related to “cosmetic medical procedures”, you are not subject to the provisions of this law.

Charges for medical procedures, tangible personal property, or occupancies that will be covered by medical insurance will be presumed not primarily “cosmetic” in nature and will therefore not be subject to the cosmetic medical procedures gross receipts tax. Charges for procedures, tangible personal property, and occupancies that are deductible as “medical expenses” for purposes of federal income tax will also generally be exempt from the cosmetic medical procedures gross receipts tax. Cosmetic medical procedures that are not deemed to be deductible medical expenses for federal income tax purposes will be subject to this gross receipts tax. For example, charges for teeth whitening will be taxable, while charges for breast reconstruction or for vision correction by laser treatment will not be subject to the gross receipts tax.

The provider of services, goods or occupancies required for, or directly associated with the cosmetic medical procedure will collect the tax from the person on whom the cosmetic medical procedure is performed. If more than one service provider bills for services directly related to the same cosmetic medical procedure, for example, a surgeon and an anesthesiologist, each service provider must collect the 6% gross receipts tax on the portion of the gross receipts billed for that provider’s own services. A provider of goods, services, or occupancies who fails to charge and collect and remit the tax as required may be held personally liable for the tax, except for “bad debts” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. The tax will not apply to services that are only indirectly related to the cosmetic medical procedure. For example, fees charged for evaluation and referral by a primary care physician or for consultation or treatment by a psychiatrist will not be subject to the tax.