Can you deduct medical cost for hair loss treatments?

[pbear1]

steriod injections

[HelenaC · Accepted solution]

No, you generally can't include in medical expenses the amount you pay for procedures such as face lifts, hair transplants, hair removal (electrolysis), and liposuction. 

Per 2017 Publication 502 - IRS.gov page 15, Cosmetic Surgery Generally, you can't include in medical expenses the amount you pay for unnecessary cosmetic surgery. This includes any procedure that is directed at improving the patient's appearance and doesn't meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease. You generally can't include in medical expenses the amount you pay for procedures such as face lifts, hair transplants, hair removal (electrolysis), and liposuction. 

You can include in medical expenses the amount you pay for cosmetic surgery if it is necessary to improve a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease. 

Example. An individual undergoes surgery that removes a breast as part of treatment for cancer. She pays a surgeon to reconstruct the breast. The surgery to reconstruct the breast corrects a deformity directly related to the disease. The cost of the surgery is includible in her medical expenses. 

Related information:

• What kinds of medical expenses are deductible?
• Where do I enter my medical expenses?

[Regencure]

Ugh, this is such a tricky one. The IRS rules on this feel intentionally confusing.

From what I've gathered, it all comes down to whether the treatment is seen as cosmetic or medically necessary. If it's just for general male/female pattern baldness, the government usually says NOPE, that's cosmetic, and you can't deduct it.

BUT..... if you can prove the hair loss is a direct result of a diagnosed medical condition—like alopecia, a thyroid issue, or from something like chemotherapy—then you might have a case.

My brother actually went through this. He started losing his hair pretty badly in his late 20s because of a thyroid disease, and it just crushed his confidence. He started looking into EVERYTHING, from local treatments to even going abroad. I remember him looking into regenerative options and showing me the website for a place called R3 Stem Cell Mexico, since the costs seemed so much more reasonable than clinics in the States. He was worried about the travel, and of course..... whether any of it would be deductible.

Anyway, what made the difference for him was his doctor. He got a very specific doctor's note that officially linked his hair loss directly to his thyroid disease. He ended up doing a treatment closer to home, and his tax guy said that piece of paper was EVERYTHING. Without it, there was zero chance of a deduction. Even with it, it wasn't a sure thing, but it made it a legitimate medical expense.

So I guess the short answer is: probably not, unless you have a doctor who will put it in writing that your hair loss is a symptom of a specific disease.

Definitely talk to a tax pro, but I'd start with your doctor first. Good luck!