Hair transplant costs vary up to 15-fold across South Korea

SEOUL, May 02 (AJP) - The cost of hair transplants in South Korea differs dramatically depending on the region, with prices for a single hair follicle transplant varying as much as 15-fold, according to government data released Friday.

Figures obtained by Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the ruling People Power Party from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service show that in 2024, Gwangju Metropolitan City recorded the highest average cost per follicle at 21,000 won, or roughly $15.70. In stark contrast, the same procedure cost just 1,400 won, or about $1.05, in Incheon.

Hair transplants are not covered under South Korea’s national health insurance, leaving patients to shoulder the full cost — a factor that may contribute to the wide price disparities.

In Seoul, the average cost per follicle was 4,223 won, while neighboring Gyeonggi Province reported an average of 3,667 won.

Prices in other cities ranged from 8,380 won in Daegu to 1,800 won in Daejeon. Rural areas also exhibited variation: South Gyeongsang Province averaged 2,500 won per follicle, while North Jeolla and North Chungcheong Provinces reported averages of 2,393 won and 1,500 won, respectively.

The gap widened further for larger procedures involving 2,000 follicles or more.

Seoul had the highest average cost for such transplants at 6.85 million won, followed closely by Busan (6.79 million), Gwangju (6.5 million), and Incheon (6.2 million). At the other end of the spectrum, Sejong reported an average cost of just over 2.13 million won — the only region where such procedures fell below the 3 million won mark.

“Hair transplants have become increasingly common, but the wide regional disparities in cost are causing confusion among patients,” said Rep. Kim, a member of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee.

“Even if these procedures are not insured, there needs to be more price consistency to help people make informed decisions. The Ministry of Health and Welfare must implement policies to promote transparency and standardization.”

Candice Kim candicekim1121@ajupress.com