Can You Get a Hair Transplant on the NHS?

The NHS is a wondrous organization and provides essential healthcare for the entire UK population. This healthcare is free of charge and is funded by taxation and government support. You can get virtually any type of surgery on the NHS for free, but many people do not know if this includes hair transplants or not.

Can you get a hair transplant on the NHS? The short answer is no. However, this is what we look at below and we discuss the realities of hair loss in the UK and what options you have.

 

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Why the NHS Wouldn’t Normally Fund a Hair Transplant

So, you’re telling me that the NHS does hundreds of different surgeries but a hair transplant is not one of them? Unfortunately, this is the case. A hair transplant is a type of cosmetic surgery and this is something they do not cater for.

This is based on the argument of necessity and desire. For example, a kidney transplant is not something a person with chronic renal failure can go without – they need it for their survival and to live a long and healthy life.

In contrast, a hair transplant (while incredibly important for those suffering from hair loss!) is something you don’t need. It doesn’t save your life or allow you to live for longer – it merely alters your appearance. As a result, the NHS doesn’t provide hair transplants.

Why Are Hair Transplants So Expensive in the UK?

We have established that you can’t get a hair transplant on the NHS, but there are private clinics available. The problem is, is that compared to other countries like Turkey, hair transplants in the UK are relatively expensive with an average cost of around £4820.

This is mainly due to an increased cost of living, higher wages in the UK, and the lack of availability. These increased costs mean that hair transplant clinics have no choice but to charge more in the UK to break even.

Additionally, Turkey has over 500 quality hair transplant clinics which means that pricing is far more competitive. In contrast, in the UK, there are far fewer clinics and this means they can dictate the price and keep surgery costs high.

Read Next: How Many Hair Transplants Can You Have?

What are the Alternatives?

I get that you may be a little disheartened now but please don’t be! There is always an alternative and although the NHS does not do hair transplants, and UK clinics are expensive, you have other options including hair transplants abroad or other treatments.

Have a Hair Transplant at a Reputable Clinic in Turkey

A hair transplant in Turkey as an affordable option is your best solution. As we previously mentioned, hair transplants in Turkey are much cheaper without compromising the quality. Even when you factor in travel costs and accommodation, you will still pay much less compared to the average price of a hair transplant in the UK.

Turkey has a continually evolving hair transplant industry and a huge range of qualified surgeons. The facilities are fantastic and the end results are superb too. This is due to the ever-expanding hair transplant infrastructure and training facilities available for surgeons.

Compared to other nations, our surgeons are elite and benefit from decades of experience. Plus, Turkey is generally where new technologies and surgical methods are developed too.

Hair Loss Drugs

A hair transplant isn’t the only solution and you can get medication such as Finasteride and Minoxidil which can be effective. Finasteride and Minoxidil both encourage new hair growth as they prevent the creation of DHT in your blood which is a prime cause of hair growth stopping.

Both these drugs are readily available in the UK but you have to consider that the results are varied from person to person, and they can have side effects.

Read Next: Can Hair Be Transplanted from Body to Head?

The NHS Does Not Cater to Cosmetic Surgery

As you can see, it is not possible to get a hair transplant on the NHS for free. The NHS classes hair transplants as a type of cosmetic surgery and would only provide this type of surgery in exceptional circumstances as part of reconstructive surgery such as a burn patient might undergo.

That doesn’t mean you have to suffer from hair loss though! As you can see, the hair transplant industry in Turkey is incredibly well developed and there is a plethora of high-quality, qualified surgeons who can complete hair transplants at a fraction of the cost of the UK market – even when considering travel expenses too.