Hair transplantation for women, what is possible?
Hair transplantation is most often associated with men, but can be right for women too in selected cases. Here we go through when it works, and when it does not.
Hair transplantation is almost always presented with men in focus, but hair loss affects many women too, and the question of a transplant often comes up. The answer is that it can be right, but for fewer women than men, and it depends on what the hair loss looks like.
Why female hair loss is different
In men the hair loss is usually localised, recession and crown, with an intact donor area at the back. In women the thinning is more often diffuse: the hair becomes evenly sparser over the crown and the part widens, while the hairline is preserved. Two things then complicate a transplant: there is no localised bald area to "fill", and the donor hair at the back can itself be affected by the diffuse thinning.
When a transplant suits women
A transplant is often suitable for localised loss: a high or uneven hairline, thinning at the temples, scars, or after traction alopecia. Then there is a clear target and a stable donor area. We use DHI so you don't have to shave your hair, only a small, hidden donor area is trimmed.
When other treatments are better first
With diffuse thinning, PRP and microneedling, and investigation of iron/thyroid/hormones, are often the first choice, because the cause can be treatable and the follicles often alive. We almost always recommend a hormonal and nutritional investigation before surgery is considered.
At a free consultation we do a trichoscope assessment and are honest about which path gives you the best result.
Want to know more? Read about hair transplantation for women or book a free consultation.
