Dr. Antonio Alvi Armani

Hair Transplants for Women

Hair transplants for women are inherently different from specifically male hair transplants for a variety of reasons.  To begin, female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is perceived and treated socially much differently than male pattern hair loss.  Reactions to FPHL are often dismissive and ignorant to the many options women have to combat their hair loss, including medical therapy and hair transplantation.  Also, while hair transplantation was once thought to be nearly impossible for women, due to the unique nature of their hair loss, thanks to the recent advancements in follicular unit transplantation, they can now benefit from surgical treatment.

Hair transplants for women have come along in recent years.  The emergence of follicular unit transplantation has allowed women to benefit from hair transplantation along with men.  In earlier decades, hair transplantation consisted of transplanting large groups of hairs usually measuring 2 to 4 millimeters.  Because of the usually diffuse nature of FPHL (meaning that the hair was generally only thinning) there was not enough room between pre-existing hairs to transplant these large grafts, so this earlier version of hair transplantation was not possible for women.  But because of follicular unit transplantation, where smaller groups of hair measuring fractions of millimetres are used, women can now partake in the benefits of hair transplantation.

The diffuse nature of FPHL also changes the nature of the hair transplantation process itself.  Women generally have more stable hairlines, meaning that placing the majority of one- to three-hair grafts in the frontal third of the scalp will take care of the ‘see-through’ appearance of the frontal hairline (which most women with FPHL complain of) and will reduce the risk of effluvium.  For women with stable hairlines, the newly transplanted hair in this frontal area should remain cosmetically appropriate indefinitely.

There are also promising medical treatments available for women with hair loss.  So far only minoxidil, which is found in Rogaine, is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of FPHL.  Realistically speaking, the success of Rogaine on FPHL relies on compliance and reasonable expectations.  It is important to recognize that it generally takes 6-8 months before the patient may be satisfied with the results of the drug.  Rogaine can also be taken in conjunction with hair transplantation.  Also, proper hair care is very important as to not sabotage the efficacy of the treatment.  Minimal tension on the hair follicles and excessive chemical use should be avoided.

A common reason for women to seek hair transplantation is to correct damaged hairlines resulting from face-lifts.  Fortunately, a large number of one- to three-hair grafts at the natural angle of the hair in the hairline region makes a substantial difference and is generally more than satisfactory.

It is clear that women have many more options for their hair loss than was previously available.  Using the scientific and technological advancements that have occurred in hair transplantation, specifically follicular unit transplantation, women do not have to suffer silently with their hair loss any longer; they have more options than was previously available, whether it be medical treatment or surgical treatment via a hair transplant.