As the technology progresses and cutting-edge hair transplantation methods make their way to market, more and more people who are struggling with hair loss dare to dream that this is an option for them.
That is why in spite of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the hair transplantation industry has been booming according to the Wimpole Clinic, who have shared their insights for this article.
Here is a quick overview of the most interesting numbers they have shared with us in this field: the client demographics, the success rates, and of course, the bottom line.
Who is getting hair transplantation surgery?
According to the latest census performed by the International Society of Hair Restoration (ISHRS), there were at least 735.312 people who underwent a hair transplantation procedure in 2019, 16% more than in 2016. However, since the survey is not filled in by all surgeons, experts estimate this number could be a lot higher (around 2 million patients)
A staggering majority of hair transplant recipients were male (85%). However, a growing number of ladies (over 100.000) have also benefited from this surgery, as the stigma around it started to disperse.
Regardless of gender, 87% of patients having undergone a hair transplant were rather young, aged 26-45. And geographically speaking, most of them came from Asia and Australia (26.7%), followed by Africa and the Middle East (25.6%) and North America (almost 25%). Central and South American residents were the least excited about getting this procedure, with only 8.3% of all patients coming from this part of the world.
What kind of hair transplantation procedures are patients getting?
Recent trends show a clear preference for FUE only transplantation technique, 66% of patients opting for it. Only 30% of patients prefer getting a FUT only hair transplant. On average, patients chose to implant an average of 1000-3000 follicle grafts per intervention.
When it comes to the preferred donor area, the vast majority of patients chose to use hair from their scalp for the transplantation procedure (92,5%), while 7.5% chose to use strands from their beards. A distinct lack of interest was shown to body hair transplant, with only 2.4% of patients selecting this area as a donor site.
What are the outcomes for those getting hair transplantation?
The great news is that it takes most patients only a single hair transplant procedure in order to meet their goal and 80% of them are still satisfied with the results three years later. Of course, some patience may be needed in order to enjoy the full results of the intervention. You can only expect to see approximately 60% new hair growth six months after the surgery and are likely to have to wait between 9 months and 1 year to enjoy final thickness and density.
What is the state of the hair transplantation industry?
The hair transplantation industry was only marginally affected by the Covid 19 pandemic, as demand for these procedures kept rising. Thus, while its value has reached $8.1 billion in 2019, it experienced a 4.5% growth the following year and is predicted to boom with a 25% annual growth rate by the time 2026 rolls around. Its value at that point is estimated to reach an impressive $40 billion.
Sneak preview of what’s to come in hair transplantation
So if you are now convinced that the hair transplantation industry has a bright future ahead and is becoming more and more popular, you’re probably wondering what comes next for hair restoration. 32.4% of the surgeons in this field swear by still experimental techniques such as tissue-engineered hair follicles, while 32.8% are convinced that stem cell therapy will be the next big thing.
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