Hope for Those with Hair Loss... Where Does a Single Graft Cost 1,400 Won vs. 21,000 Won?

Cost per Graft: Gwangju Averages 21,000 Won,
Incheon 1,400 Won
Seoul Most Expensive for Procedures Over 2,000 Grafts

The cost of hair transplantation varies greatly by region. The price per graft in Gwangju, the most expensive city, was up to 15 times higher than in Incheon, the least expensive city.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Asia Economy DB

According to data received by Kim Mi-ae, a member of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee from the People Power Party, from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) on May 2, the price per graft for hair transplantation (excluding pre- and post-procedure examination and management fees) differed significantly by region. Health insurance does not cover hair transplantation.

As of last year, Gwangju Metropolitan City had the highest average cost per graft for hair transplantation nationwide, at 21,000 won. In contrast, the average price per graft in Incheon was 1,400 won, which is only one-fifteenth of the price in Gwangju.

In other parts of the Seoul metropolitan area, the average price per graft was 4,223 won in Seoul and 3,667 won in Gyeonggi Province.

Among other major cities where per-graft costs could be calculated, Daegu recorded 8,380 won, Busan 5,443 won, and Daejeon 1,800 won. Elsewhere, the per-graft cost was 2,500 won in Gyeongnam, 2,393 won in Jeonbuk, and 1,500 won in Chungbuk.

However, for procedures involving more than 2,000 grafts, Seoul had the highest average cost nationwide. The average cost for more than 2,000 grafts in Seoul was 6,853,857 won. In Busan (6,787,353 won), Gwangju (6,490,969 won), and Incheon (6,200,000 won), the average procedure cost also exceeded 6 million won.

The lowest average cost for more than 2,000 grafts was in Sejong, at 2,133,200 won, making it the only region with an average cost in the 2 million won range.

Kim Mi-ae stated, "Recently, many people have been receiving hair transplants, but the wide variation in prices by region inevitably causes confusion among patients. Even though the procedure is not covered by insurance, the average cost should be set at a reasonable level so that people can predict expenses before undergoing the procedure. The Ministry of Health and Welfare needs to develop policies to address this issue."