Global Demand for Hair Transplants Increases 85% in Past Decade; More Women Undergoing Hair Restoration Surgery

Hair restoration surgery is on the rise with no signs of slowing down – echoing a global trend of more people seeking cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance. Statistics released from a recent member survey conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) – the world’s leading medical authority on hair loss and hair restoration – have shown a marked rise in the number of surgical hair restoration procedures performed around the world over the past decade. We have seen this significant rise in hair restoration surgery in our own practice.

Since the ISHRS began tracking trends in hair restoration with its first Practice Census member survey in 2005, the extrapolated worldwide volume of surgical hair restoration procedures performed from 2004 to 2012 jumped 85 percent, with a total of 310,624 procedures performed worldwide in 2012.

“Until recently, people undergoing hair transplants tended to keep their surgery a secret, especially celebrities and other prominent public figures,” said Dr. Boden. “But now the tide has shifted, and people from all walks of life are no longer shying away from talking about their hair transplant procedure – similar to how they would discuss any other popular cosmetic surgical procedure that can shave years off a person’s appearance.”

While traditionally men have dominated the hair restoration patient base, the survey showed that women increasingly are turning to hair restoration surgery to address hair loss – with the number of women undergoing hair restoration surgery worldwide increasing 20 percent from 2004 to 2012. Dr. Boden notes that men and women face many of the same concerns about hair loss and often express how it makes them look older and feel more self-conscious at work and in their personal lives.

The most recent ISHRS Practice Census also found that men and women with hair loss are seeking treatment earlier in life – with more than half of both male and female patients falling between the ages of 30 to 49 years old, 59.6 percent and 55.0 percent respectively. ISHRS members also reported that on average, first time hair restoration patients were 38 years old, and 81 percent of first time hair restoration patients were between 30 and 49 years old.

“Over the years, we have seen a trend in our practice of younger patients seeking consultations and treatments for hair loss,” added Dr. Boden. “Early detection and intervention are essential to treating and also preventing future hair loss, so it’s a good idea for patients to seek help for hair loss as soon as they notice a problem. Hair restoration surgery has really evolved over the years, creating natural-looking, permanent results that blend in perfectly with your existing hair – which explains why the procedure is in such high demand around the world today.”

Other notable trends and facts from the ISHRS 2013 Practice Census survey include:

• Of the estimated 310,624 hair restoration procedures performed worldwide in 2012, Europe experienced the biggest increase in the number of procedures with 54,343 procedures performed in 2012 (a 39% increase from 2010)

• From 2010 to 2012, hair restoration procedures performed on the eyebrow and face (moustache/beard) increased 13.1%

• Asia conducted the largest amount of eyelash (601), eyebrow (5,160) and facial hair restorations (1,904)

• Just over half (54.7%) of members said their patients would be ‘more likely’ to discuss their hair restoration as they were in 2010

• ISHRS members chose John Mayer as the male celebrity with the best hair and Sofia Vergara as the female celebrity with the best hair

• Prince William was voted the celebrity for whom ISHRS members would most like to perform a hair transplant