More reasons why we charge by the donor size and not by graft number:

Charge by Graft Number

Advantages:

It is easy to compare the graft price between clinics, but should we assume that one-hair graft and four-hair graft have the same value?

Disadvantages:

1. There is no way to cut exactly the pre-determined graft number. Either too many, or too less.
2. Conflicts of interest- When price is tied to the number of grafts, the clinic may have a tendency to cut more grafts even with the same donor size.
3. When cut too less graft number: to archive the promised number, the clinic has to cut the grafts smaller even it is not for the patient’s best interest.
4. When cut too many graft number: when graft number is more than consented, some clinics charge for extra grafts. Even it is not patient's fault at all; it is unfair to the patients.
5 It encourages doctors to use all Single Follicular Units (SFU is the smallest graft size). No motivation for the doctor to look into other graft sizes to see if it will increase growth rate.
6. Compete for more graft number (or more dense packing), not paying attention to the growth rate.


Charge by Donor Size

Advantages:

1. Able to cut pre-determined donor size precisely.
2. No conflicts of interest- It is easier for physicians to make the decision based on the patient's best interest, not doctor’s financial interest.
3. No pressure to achieve certain graft number. The clinic can cut graft size in patient's best interest.
4. Patient knows the exact surgery fee before the surgery. (No surprise)
5. Easy to compare result. (Compare with relative density, not graft number)

Disadvantages:

It is more difficult for patient to compare price since almost 95% of hair transplant clinics use graft number system,