Hair loss is one of those problems that affects both men and women. However, the percentage of men experiencing hair loss is more than women. No matter who experiences hair loss, it significantly affects an individual’s confidence and self-esteem. Fortunately, today people have access to various advanced hair transplant methods to address the issue. However many people think that hair transplants are designed only to address patterned baldness in men. That’s not how it is! Contrary to popular belief, even women can undergo hair transplant surgery. However, certain considerations must be considered when it comes to hair transplants for women.
In this post, we will share everything about hair transplantation for women, including how it differs from men’s procedures. Read on!
Understanding Hair Loss in Women
Both men and women experience patterned baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia. However, their hair loss pattern differs significantly. As in men, receding hairlines, bald patches, or bald spots are pretty common. Women do not lose frontal hairline as men do. They often experience diffuse thinning and central thinning. Diffuse thinning is a condition where women notice a decrease in hair density across their scalp. Central thinning is a very common hair loss pattern in women. Central thinning leads to widened partition but does not usually show baldness. In addition to that, the causes of both women’s and men’s hair loss differ significantly. Men usually experience hair loss because of genetics, stress, age, certain medical conditions, and hormonal shifts. The causes of female hair loss include hormonal imbalance (especially occurring during the time of menopause), postpartum stress, deficiency of iron, medical conditions, excessive stress, and poor lifestyle.
Hair Transplant Options for Women
Women also have access to the same hair transplant procedures that men have. Three most popular hair transplant methods are used for women as well, namely;
Follicular Unit Extraction: Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, is a very popular hair transplant method used for addressing patterned baldness. It involves the extraction and transplantation of individual hair follicles from one location to another. It is a minimally invasive procedure. Moreover, it is often lauded for its scar-free results.
Follicular Unit Transplantation: Follicular Unit Transplantation or FUT is yet another popular method. This procedure also involves the extraction and transplantation of hair follicles. However, in this method, the doctor extracts an entire strip of skin containing hair follicles for transplantation.
Direct Hair Transplantation: Direct Hair Transplantation or DHT is similar to FUE. Like FUE, this method also involves the extraction of individual hair follicles and transplanting them into the area experiencing hair loss. It offers the highest graft survival rate.
Wondering how the difference in hair loss pattern affects the final outcomes for women. Read ahead for the same…
How do Hair Transplants for Women Differ from Men’s Procedures?
As said earlier, both male and female hair transplants use similar methods. Still, they differ, because of the following:
1. Hair Loss Pattern
Both men and women have varying hair loss patterns. Men usually experience receding hairline, bald spots, and so on. Women, on the other hand, suffer from diffuse thinning, which makes both the diagnosis and treatment more complex.
2. Hair Availability at Donor Site
The condition of the donor site differs for both men and women. Usually, doctors extract hair from the back or sides of the scalp as these areas are unaffected by dihydrotestosterone (DHT). At the same time, that’s not the case with women. Women may even experience hair thinning in donor areas, which can ultimately affect the overall outcomes for them. In such a situation, it becomes crucial to get your surgery at a reputable clinic. Doctors at reputable clinics carefully select the donor site with healthy hair follicles for the hair transplant to ensure lasting results.
3. Hair Transplant Design
Since men suffer from frontal hair thinning or bald patches, it becomes easy to create a design fitting to their existing hair. But in the case of women, the whole idea differs. Here, the main focus is on increasing density, particularly in the central or crown areas, while preserving the natural hairline. Because of this, only the most skilled surgeons should do the treatment.
4. Shaving the Scalp
Male transplants often involve complete head shaving (including the donor and recipient site). That’s not the case with female hair restoration procedures. Females often avoid transplantations that involve head shaving for multiple reasons, embarrassment being the most prevalent. Therefore, it becomes crucial to opt for a non-shaven hair transplant procedure. That’s when Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE hair transplant comes in handy. The non-shaven FUE technique helps females to maintain existing hairstyles without affecting the outcomes.
6. Hair Transplant Methods
Men can undergo any hair transplant treatment without any worry. However, doctors have to be very careful when choosing a hair transplant for women. This is because not every hair transplant method is feasible for them because of their no-shaving condition and other psychological concerns. Given the heightened precision required, getting a hair transplant by a highly qualified, skilled, and experienced hair transplant surgeon becomes indispensable for women.
7. Hair Transplant Sessions
Most men get the desired results in one hair transplant session. However, women must undergo multiple hair transplant sessions to get the desired results because of their hair loss pattern and length.
8. Hair Transplant Cost
Female hair transplants are comparatively more expensive than male hair transplants. The intricacies involved in female hair transplants, along with the use of cutting-edge technology, lead to an increase in the overall cost of the treatment.
Do All Women Qualify for a Hair Transplant Treatment?
No, not all women qualify for a hair transplant treatment. Several parameters are taken into account prior to determining whether or not you are fit for the treatment. A hair transplant surgeon first evaluates your overall hair and scalp condition to determine if you are the right candidate for the procedure. Women who meet the following criteria make the best candidates for hair transplant:
- You have well-defined areas of thinning or hair loss
- You have hair loss caused by burns, accidents, or trauma.
- You have a stable donor site with healthy follicles
- You have no underlying untreated medical condition that is causing hair loss
- You are experiencing distinct hair loss patterns, such as Female pattern hair loss (FPHL).
The Bottom Line
So, this is all about hair transplants for women. Not all women are ideal candidates for the procedure. However, it is always advisable to consult an expert hair transplant surgeon to narrow down your choices. They can help you choose the best treatment plan after a careful evaluation of your hair loss pattern, underlying causes, and overall health condition. Hair Aesthetica is a renowned hair clinic. We offer outstanding hair transplant treatments for women at the most affordable prices. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced surgeons. You can visit our clinic for a consultation. Our doctors will help you with personalized advice and recommendations so that you can restore both your hair and confidence!
