Hair Transplant Women: Is it The Best Choice?

1. Female hair loss
2. Hair transplant for women
3. Who is a good candidate?
4. Female hair transplant cost
5. Results
6. Alternatives
7. Takeaway

Hair loss can be an incredibly stressful thing to experience. Especially for women, it can knock your confidence and make you paranoid about your general health and well-being.

There are many different reasons why your hair is falling out. Some are easily fixed, like changing shampoo or hairstyles, while others might require the help of medication, physical therapy, or significant lifestyle changes.

But if your hair loss is particularly severe, and you’re worried about going completely bald, you might be curious about permanent solutions, like hair transplantation surgery.

Is hair replacement for women a good option?

In this article, we’ll help answer all your questions about female hair loss. We’ll also explore whether hair transplantation surgery is viable for you while suggesting several alternative therapies you can put your faith behind.

What causes female hair loss?

Statistics show that only one in three women will experience hair loss. In the majority of cases, women will only lose their hair temporarily. Phew!

But remember, the hair will only grow back once you remedy the root cause.

Common causes of hair loss in women include:

• Hormonal changes
• Significant life events, including pregnancy and menopause
• Suffering from depression, stress, or anxiety
• As a side-effect of medication
• Excessive use of heat styling tools like curling irons, straighteners, or hair dryers
• Wearing tight hairstyles like buns, cornrows, or braids
• Suffering from an allergic reaction
• Wearing hair extensions for prolonged periods
• Genetic conditions like androgenetic alopecia
• Applying harsh chemical treatments, such as peroxide or perms
• Vitamine deficiencies
• Physical trauma to your scalp

You should consult with a professional as soon as possible for a formal diagnosis. This often begins with an online consultation and questionnaire.

Your doctor will closely inspect your scalp and may conduct several tests to gather additional information. Once they are confident they’ve identified the source, appropriate treatment may begin.

Though rare, women who suffer from extensive hair loss can undergo a hair transplant; this procedure offers a permanent, highly-effective solution.

The difference between male and female hair loss and hair transplants

While there are many similarities between how men and women lose hair, there are equally as many differences.

And these differences are why women aren’t often ideal candidates for hair implants.

There are two differences in particular that you should know about:

The type of donor hair

A hair transplant; and relies on taking donor hair (usually on the back and sides) and redistributing it into balding areas.

Research suggests that only 2-5% of women are eligible candidates for hair transplants because they have unsuitable donor hair.

In men, donor hair is often resistant to hair loss, making it an ideal resource for your surgeon to harvest. When implanted, they will resist harmful hormones like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and continue to grow.

Unfortunately for women, these donor sites experience the same hair loss as the rest of the scalp.

This means that when you implant these already-vulnerable hairs, they are highly likely to fall out, defeating the purpose of the transplant.

Men’s vs Women’s hairline transplant

Another striking difference between men’s and women’s hair is the hairline. Especially with genetic conditions like pattern baldness, men lose their hair entirely differently than women.

And hair transplants can only really address the man’s needs, not the woman’s.

In men, baldness typically begins at the temples. As the hairline recedes, it creates a distinguished “M” shape on the crown of the head.

Over time, hair loss conditions to such a degree that the top of the scalp is entirely bald while the sides and back of the head still retain hair.

In contrast, women don’t necessarily lose hair. Rather experience overall thinning throughout the scalp. Their hair part may also begin to widen. Unfortunately, hair transplants do not address “volume” issues.

It’s not all bad for women, though. Although hair transplants are often unsuitable, women tend to respond better to alternative therapies for hair loss than men, including medication, laser therapy, and lifestyle changes. Women often experience thinning hair instead of partial or total hair loss.

Hair transplant for women

Despite the low number, many women still undergo a hair transplant yearly. Because women only make up a minority of patients for hair implants, it’s essential that you only visit a surgeon who is well-trained and highly experienced with female hairlines.

Depending on the extent of your hair loss, a hair transplant for women in the UK can take one of two routes:

FUT hair transplant women

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is when a small strip of flesh is removed from the back or side of your head. This strip will have healthy hair follicles harvested and implanted into balding areas.

FUT surgery has two disadvantages: the strip method will leave noticeable scars across the donor area. And because it is invasive, the procedure will require a longer recovery time.

FUE hair transplant women

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a modern approach to hair transplantation. Instead of removing a strip of flesh, your surgeon will harvest hair follicles individually from the donor area and strategically implant them into bald spots.

A FUE hair transplant for female patients is by far the most popular and preferred method because it promises high-quality, natural-looking results, a shorter recovery period, and will leave no visible scars.

What’s the best hair transplant technique for women?

The best technique for women hair transplant surgery is generally the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method, as it allows for precise placement of hair follicles and minimal scarring.

However, you should keep in mind that a female hair transplant is generally less effective than its male counterpart, regardless of the technique you choose.

Who is a good candidate for a hair transplant procedure?

Every patient is unique, and you won’t know if you’re an ideal candidate for hair implants until you attend a consultation. That said, women who suffer from the following will often benefit the most from the procedure:

• Women whose hair loss is a result of physical trauma (like traction alopecia), or injury
• Women whose hair loss is a result of other plastic surgery
• Women with symptoms of female pattern baldness

Hair transplant women cost

The average female hair transplant cost ranges between £3,000-£10,000. But various factors can influence this figure, including the extent of your hair loss and the amount you are getting transplanted.

You should also factor hair clinic’s reputation and experience, too. Clinics with highly skilled surgeons may cost a premium, but it’s a price worth paying for better treatment.

You can get an accurate picture of current hair transplant surgery costs by booking an online consultation with a reputable clinic.

Many of these are free, so you have nothing to lose. Not only that, many clinics offer competitive payment plans to help you get the treatment you need.

Hair transplant before and after women

Alternative ways to treat female hair loss

Hair transplantation is not the only remedy for female hair loss, so don’t be discouraged if you are told you’re an unsuitable candidate.

Alternative hair loss treatments may prove even more effective in most cases. Below we will highlight some of the best treatments you should consider.

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Minoxidil is one of the most popular medications worldwide for treating hair loss. Sold under the brand name Rogaine, it comes in two forms, topical and foam, and is said to stimulate hair regrowth and speed up your hair’s natural growth cycle.

Minoxidil is not a miracle drug, though, with some drawbacks. You may experience several side effects while on the drug, including acne, redness and swelling, increased hair loss, and a burning sensation across your scalp.

Finally, this drug is not a permanent solution to hair loss and requires consistent use to maintain. Once you stop taking it, your results will fade away.

Laser therapy

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) works by irritating photons into your scalp tissue, softening the skin, and boosting blood flow to hair follicles.

It helps stimulate hair growth and improve circulation, though it is arguably best used with other treatments, like minoxidil.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that are particularly effective at treating a range of autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata.

This is because they can suppress the immune system, halting its attack on healthy hair cells.

The treatment comes in a variety of forms, including as a topical lotion, oral tablet, or an injectable. Injections are incredibly convenient if you have small, patchy bald spots.

Platelet Rich Plasma

Platelet-rich plasma, more commonly known as PRP, is a relatively new innovative treatment.

It is when a doctor draws platelets from your own blood supply and injects them directly into areas of your scalp that are balding.

Platelets help accelerates healing and show promising results in stimulating hair follicles to recover from dormancy.

That said, you may require several sessions of injections over some time, and like other alternatives, once you stop treatment, your results will fade.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy is a highly effective treatment for women who are going through menopause.

The treatment restores estrogen and progesterone levels, alleviating the severity of hot flushes and night sweats but helping retain your normal hair condition.

Scalp massage

A growing number of studies claim that physical therapies like scalp massages can help increase blood circulation in the area, allowing your hair follicle to receive all the nutrients it needs to grow strong.

Scalp massages are incredibly easy to do by yourself; using your fingertips, apply medium pressure in small circular shapes across your entire scalp daily.

Not only could you be helping rebuild your hair, but it’s also a great way to distress.

Eat a healthier diet

Hair loss can be a side-effect of a poor diet. Your body lacks the minerals and vitamins needed to sustain hair growth. Over time, hair becomes brittle and thin and sheds earlier than expected.

To counter this, you should aim to eat more nutritious foods or consider taking a vitamin supplement. Pay close attention to specific vitamins, such as Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Vitamin C, and Vitamin D, as well as minerals like Iron.

Hair loss shampoos

If your hair is beginning to feel dry, brittle, and weak, perhaps it’s time to switch up your haircare products.

There are a variety of highly-effective medicated shampoos on the market that aim to support your hair, nourish your skin, and remove dead skin cells.

Some brands even offer additional treatments like conditioners, hair masks, and hair spray.

One of the most common causes of minor hair loss is when pores become blocked and clogged. This not only interrupts the hair follicle’s natural growth cycle but can also attract dirt and grime, further irritating your scalp.

Conclusion

From stress and hormonal changes to extreme hairstyling, chemical treatments, and female pattern baldness, there are many reasons why a woman might start to lose her hair.

Thankfully, the effects of hair loss are not as severe as are often found in men.

That said, any amount of hair loss can still knock your confidence. And no doubt you want to try any treatments that can help restore your hair back to its former glory.

Female hair transplant surgery can potentially remedy the most severe hair loss cases. But given that only 2-5% of women will see results, you shouldn’t put all your hopes in the surgery.

That’s why visiting your local GP can be incredibly important. You will find the root cause of your hair loss and get recommendations on the most appropriate hair loss treatment for your unique situation.

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