Short answer:
Gangnam clinics treat hair loss with a combination of diagnosis, prescription medication, scalp injections such as PRP or booster injections, low-level laser therapy and, for advanced thinning, hair transplant surgery. Medication is the foundation; injections and lasers support it. Shedding usually slows in 2–3 months and visible regrowth takes about 6 months. A hair transplant typically costs ₩3,000,000–₩12,000,000 (about $2,140–$8,570).
Start with a diagnosis
Hair loss has different causes, and treatment depends on getting the diagnosis right. Common types include:
- Androgenetic alopecia:
male or female pattern hair loss, gradual thinning at the crown, temples or part line.
- Telogen effluvium:
diffuse shedding 2–3 months after stress, illness, surgery, childbirth or crash dieting.
- Alopecia areata:
patchy autoimmune hair loss.
- Medical causes:
thyroid disease, iron deficiency and some medications.
- Scarring alopecias:
rarer conditions needing specialist care.
A dermatologist will usually examine the scalp with a dermoscope, may take photos to track progress and may order blood tests.
Medication: the foundation
- Topical minoxidil:
used by men and women to prolong the growth phase.
- Oral finasteride or dutasteride:
for men with pattern hair loss, reducing the hormone that shrinks follicles. They need a prescription and discussion of side effects.
- Other options for women:
doctors may consider other prescription options after assessment.
- Low-dose oral minoxidil:
increasingly prescribed by some dermatologists after screening.
Medication must be used continuously; stopping usually leads to gradual loss of the gained hair.
Scalp injections
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma):
your own blood is spun to concentrate platelets, then injected into thinning areas, usually monthly for 3–4 sessions and then every few months.
- Booster and exosome-style injections:
offered by many Korean clinics. Evidence is still developing, so treat them as supportive rather than a substitute for medication.
- Steroid injections:
a standard treatment for patchy alopecia areata.
Low-level laser therapy
In-clinic sessions or home devices such as laser caps may support growth when combined with medication. Results are modest and require consistent use.
Hair transplant
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) moves follicles from the back of the head, which is resistant to pattern loss, to thinning or bald areas. It suits people with stable loss and enough donor hair. Transplanted hair usually sheds within weeks, starts regrowing around month 3–4, and shows the final result at 9–12 months. In Gangnam a transplant typically costs ₩3,000,000–₩12,000,000 (about $2,140–$8,570), often priced by graft count, compared with about $5,000–$15,000 in the US. Read injections vs transplant.
What results to expect
- Months 1–3:
shedding slows; some people see a temporary increase in shedding when starting minoxidil.
- Months 3–6:
fine new hairs appear.
- Months 6–12:
visible density improvement.
Expats and visitors
For a short visit, you can get a diagnosis, a prescription where appropriate and possibly a first PRP session, then continue care at home. Expats with National Health Insurance may have some medical hair loss conditions such as alopecia areata partly covered, while cosmetic pattern hair loss treatment usually is not. See NHI dermatology coverage
and hair loss treatment costs.
Frequently asked questions
Which hair loss treatment works best?
Medication has the strongest evidence; injections and lasers are add-ons.
How long until I see results?
Usually 3–6 months, with fuller results at 12 months.
Is a hair transplant permanent?
Transplanted follicles are generally long-lasting, but surrounding hair can keep thinning without medication.
Can women get hair loss treatment in Gangnam?
Yes, with treatment tailored to female pattern loss and other causes.
Is PRP painful?
Clinics use numbing; most people tolerate it well.
How much is a hair transplant in Gangnam?
Typically ₩3,000,000–₩12,000,000 in 2026.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Suitability, settings and results vary by person. Always consult a licensed doctor and get an itemised written quote before treatment. Prices are typical 2026 Gangnam planning ranges at about 1 USD = ₩1,400 and change often. Updated October 2026.
