The hair transplant industry in India has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. India performs around 350,000 hair transplant surgeries annually, favoured by medical tourists.
India is a popular destination for medical tourism owing to the availability of affordable treatments, highly skilled medical experts, and advanced technologies.
The hair transplant industry in India has grown by almost 192% in the last decade.
The Rise Of Hair Transplants In India
The rise of hair transplants in India can be attributed to multiple factors:
- Grooming Awareness: The increasing awareness of grooming has fueled the demand for hair loss solutions. People have developed a positive outlook towards these treatments in order to boost their self-esteem and confidence.
- Technological Advancements: The safety of hair transplant procedures and the availability of cutting-edge technology have significantly boosted the medical tourism appeal. Procedures such as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) provide minimally invasive and natural-looking results.
- Influence of Celebrity Culture: Celebrities openly share their successful hair transplant experiences. This trend has broken the stigma surrounding the procedure. Their success stories have encouraged others to seek similar solutions.
- Highly Skilled Surgeons: The Indian health sector backed by the WHO and the US FDA, offers cost-effective hair transplant treatment based on the US surgical standard protocols. The cost difference for hair transplants between India and the USA is substantial, driving international patients.
- Lifestyle and Stress Factors: Modern lifestyles with high stress levels, irregular eating habits, and exposure to pollution contribute to hair loss.
- Hair loss is so common these days that people, especially the younger population, seek safe remedies such as, hair transplants to regain lost hair.
Types Of Hair Transplants
India provides medically advanced, affordable, and diverse treatment options for hair transplants.
The 3 most popular methods are Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), and Direct Hair Implantation (DHI).
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
Follicular Unit Transplantation is one of the traditional hair transplant methods.
In this technique, a strip of skin containing hair follicles is surgically removed from the donor area and then dissected into smaller grafts.
These grafts are then meticulously implanted into the recipient area, where hair loss has occurred.
FUT is suitable for people with extensive hair loss due to its ability to transplant a large number of hair follicles in a single session,
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, has gained significant popularity due to the following reasons:
- It is a minimally invasive procedure.
- Unlike FUT, this procedure extracts individual hair follicles directly from the donor area using micro-punches and implants them into the recipient area.
- FUE leaves minimal scarring so the recovery is quicker compared to FUT.
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI)
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is an advanced FUE technique. What sets DHI apart is the use of a specialized tool known as a Choi pen.
The tool enables the direct implantation of hair follicles into the recipient area without creating recipient site incisions in advance.
The reduction in the outside-body time for the hair follicles increases their survival rates. DHI also offers precise control over the angle and depth of implantation, contributing to natural-looking results.
Popularity and Success Rates in India
In India, the popularity of these hair transplant techniques varies based on factors such as individual preferences, hair loss severity, and medical recommendations.
Around 70-80% of hair transplant procedures in India are performed using the FUE technique.
FUT is a sought-after option for individuals requiring a higher graft count in a single session.
The success rate of FUT is generally high, with around 90% of transplanted follicles successfully taking root and growing hair.
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) has also been gaining traction in India due to its promise of minimal handling of grafts and potentially higher success rates.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) 2022 Practice Census Results presents estimated data on the hair transplant market based on the type of procedure.
Hair Restoration Surgical Procedures by Type of Procedure (n=168) in 2021:
Hair Transplant Statistics And Trends In India
According to global hair transplant market data, India is the most preferred destination for hair transplants, performing approximately 80% to 90% of all hair transplant surgeries.
According to the Ministry of Tourism of India’s records, the year 2020 witnessed a considerable influx of 86,644 foreign tourists who travelled to India in pursuit of various medical treatments.
The Indian hair transplant market was estimated at USD 195.25 million in 2022 and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.12% by 2029.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) 2022 Practice Census Results presents an estimated volume of surgical hair restoration procedures performed in 2021:
Extrapolated worldwide volume of surgical hair restoration procedures performed in 2021:
| Countries | 2021 Data | % Change 2019 to 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| United States/ Canada | 149,254 | -18% |
| Mexico/ Central & South America | 59877 | -2% |
| Europe | 112,742 | 5% |
| Asia/Australia | 256,835 | 31% |
| Middle East/Africa | 124475 | -34% |
Hair Transplant Market Based On The Number Of Procedures Performed
The growth rate of hair transplant treatments in India has been nothing short of remarkable.
The following graph presents the number of surgical, non-surgical, and combined procedures performed by the ISHRS physicians in 2021.
Hair Transplant Market Based on Gender
The market share of hair transplant procedures performed on males in 2021 is much higher than that of females.
According to ISHRS, members treated approximately 87.3% of surgical procedures and 62.5% of non-surgical procedures on men, while 12.7% of surgical procedures and 37.5% of non-surgical procedures on women.
Average Percent Male and Female Hair Restoration Surgical Procedures (n=185)
Average Percent Male and Female Hair Restoration Non-Surgical Procedures (n=185)
Hair Transplant Market Based On Region
The hair transplant market in India is growing at a CAGR of 25% to 30% in Tier I cities like Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru etc.
The growing market is due to advanced medical facilities, skilled professionals, and international connectivity.
Key Players In The Indian Hair Transplant Industry
5 key players of the Indian hair transplant industry are.
1. Enhance Clinics
Enhance Clinics, led by the renowned Dr. Manoj Khanna, has been a pioneer in the hair transplantation field.
Dr. Khanna’s experience and the clinic’s infrastructure have propelled Enhance Clinics to a prominent position in the industry.
2. ALCS Hair Transplant and Cosmetic Clinic
ALCS, founded by the internationally renowned cosmetic surgeon Dr Sunil Arora, is a major player in the Indian hair transplant industry.
Their patient-centric approach and natural-looking outcomes have solidified their position as an influencer in the hair restoration arena.
Dr. Sunil Arora won the Best Hair Transplant & Plastic Surgeon of Rajasthan award in 2014, and he was again awarded the Best Visionaries of Rajasthan in 2016.
3. Harleys Clinic
Harleys Clinic, under the guidance of Dr. Sumit Agrawal, has garnered a reputation for its commitment to precision and quality.
Dr Agrawal’s expertise in surgical and non-surgical hair restoration methods has attracted global clients.
Harley Clinic’s dedication to personalized care and advanced treatments has made it a name to reckon with.
4. DermaClinix
DermaClinix, helmed by Dr Kavish Chouhan and Dr Amrendra Kumar, is synonymous with cutting-edge technology and innovation.
The clinic’s emphasis on research and development has led to the introduction of groundbreaking hair restoration techniques.
DermaClinix’s collaborative approach and scientific rigour have garnered them widespread recognition.
5. Rejoice Hair Transplant
Rejoice Hair Transplant, founded by Dr. Shankar Sawant, has emerged as a player known for its holistic approach to hair restoration.
The clinic, with a team of experienced surgeons and ethical practices, has built a loyal clientele.
Their patient-first philosophy and comprehensive range of services set them apart in the competitive landscape.
Conclusion
Over the past decade, the hair transplant industry in the country has experienced an impressive 192% growth, with approximately 350,000 surgeries performed annually.
The rising popularity of cosmetic surgery is due to the growing awareness and demand of the grooming industry, which aims to enhance appearance and beauty.
The increasing awareness about hair loss remedies, the desire to boost self-confidence, and the accessibility of advanced treatment options have all contributed to the demand among both men and women.
According to the global hair transplant market data, around 80% to 90% of hair transplant surgeries are carried out in India.
Among the preferred locations for these procedures, Delhi and Jaipur are the most preferred destinations. Most overseas patients seeking hair restoration treatments come from regions like Europe, America, and Australia.
As the industry continues to expand and innovate, it is clear that hair transplants have become a vital component of India’s medical tourism landscape.
