The Ultimate Guide to Hair Transplant for women: Benefits, Procedure, Complications, Healing Process, and Aftercare Tips

What is a hair transplant for women?

A hair transplant for women can be an extremely effective treatment for those who struggle with hair loss and want to restore their hair to its former glory.

It is often thought that only men opt for hair transplantation to combat their hair loss. However, hair transplantation for women is fast becoming a trend in today’s society and is a common method of combating hair loss in women. Many clinics are performing hair transplants for women to help them tackle their thinning or total loss of hair.

The aim of a hair transplant for women is to restore feminine hairline and maintain hair growth in areas of the scalp that are thinning.  It is used to cure various hair loss problems in women, including female pattern baldness which is a common form of hair loss that is genetic.

Since reasons and type of hair loss in women are different from men, treatment process may differ. Hair loss in women is often a temporary condition due to hormonal causes and can be treated with medication. However, if the hair loss is genetic or in an advanced stage, hair transplantation is recommended for women.

The two techniques of hair transplantation in women are follicular unit extraction (FUE) and direct hair implantation (DHI). In both techniques, individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor site and implanted into the recipient site. Both are methods that are less invasive and do not leave a linear scar. However, in DHI technique each follicle is transplanted directly by a special tool called Choi Pen without opening a channel.

 It is important to remember that hair transplantation in women is not an instant solution. It is a gradual procedure that takes time to see the first results; usually it takes months, but sometimes a year. Apart from that, as with other medical procedures, there are possible harms and expected complications to watch out for.

What causes hair loss in women?

Any woman can be affected by hair thinning or loss, especially women over age 40, when hair growth slows and hair follicles eventually stop producing hair. Women most commonly experience non-permanent thinning hair due to stress, medical issues, pregnancies, and menopause. Some hair loss is a normal part of the aging process. It can be difficult to determine the cause of hair loss.

Genetic inheritance

Genetic factors can play a role in hair loss in women. Some women suffer from permanent hair loss, which is called genetic androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss. For most women, female pattern hair loss begins in midlife, when they are 40, 50 or 60 years old. In some women, it can start earlier. It is a progressive condition. However, women do not lose all their hair as some men do. Instead, the line where you part your hair often becomes wider. The hair near the temples may recede. Without treatment, some women eventually experience extensive thinning. If treatment is started at the first signs of hair loss, it can prevent hair loss from getting worse and help women grow their hair back.

Extreme stress

When women experience extreme physical or emotional stress, including chronic illness, injury and relationship issues, hair follicles that naturally grows quickly goes into the “resting” phase, and stopping production of new hair strands. This is called telogen effluvium.  In women, hair loss can last up to 3-6 months after the stressful event, but the hair will grow back on its own once the stressor is removed.

Hormonal Changes

Pregnancy & Childbirth: After you give birth, your estrogen levels drop and your hair goes into the resting phase of growth. Hair shedding usually peaks about four months after giving birth, and for most women hair will grow back within a year.

Menopause: Dropping levels of oestrogen and progesterone can increase levels of androgens (male hormones). Shrinking hair follicles can slow hair growth and accelerate hair loss. Hair loss at this stage is permanent and hair transplantation is advisable for women.

Thyroid Disease: The thyroid produces hormones. Problems with the thyroid include a variety of disorders that can result in the gland producing too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism). It usually causes thinning of hair across the scalp instead of specific areas.

Vitamin deficiencies

A lack of biotin, iron or zinc may affect hair follicles, leading to thinning or loss of hair.

Some weight loss diets or unhealthy eating habits result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Iron deficiency (anemia) is one of the most common triggers of hair shedding in women

What is female pattern hair loss?

Female pattern hair loss is a term used to describe hair loss and thinning in females. It is also known as androgenetic alopecia. It is the most common cause of hair loss in females. Female pattern hair loss can develop at any age. It is more common after menopause. Almost half of all females show signs of hair loss by the age of 50. Women tend to experience a subtle thinning all over the scalp rather than losing hair in patches as is common in men.

How is female pattern baldness diagnosed?

Female pattern baldness is easy to recognize, so you don’t necessarily need a healthcare provider to diagnose it. However, a healthcare provider can confirm it during a physical exam of your scalp.
He will examine your head and scalp, especially the areas where the hair is thinning. He will also ask you questions about your general health, your hair loss and any hair loss in your family. In most cases, no special tests are needed to diagnose female pattern baldness. In some cases, your doctor might perform a detailed examination (dermatoscopy) or a skin biopsy to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis.

Can female pattern baldness be prevented?

There’s no known way to prevent female pattern baldness. But there are ways to help keep your hair healthy that may promote hair growth.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact us if:
• Your hair loss occurs in an atypical pattern, including rapid hair loss, widespread shedding, hair loss in patches, or hair breakage.
• Your hair loss occurs with itching, skin irritation, redness, scaling, pain, or other symptoms.
• You want to treat your hair loss.

How is female pattern baldness treated?

Since reasons and type of hair loss in women are different from men, treatment process may differ. Hair loss in women is often a temporary condition due to hormonal causes and can be treated with medication. However, if the hair loss is genetic or in an advanced stage, hair transplantation is recommended for women.

• Medications

Currently, the most effective treatments for male pattern baldness are two FDA-approved medications: finasteride and minoxidil. Research also suggests that minoxidil and finasteride get even better when combined.

• Platelet-rich plasma

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy for hair loss is a three-step medical treatment in which a person’s blood is drawn, processed, and then injected into the scalp.
There hasn’t been enough research to prove if PRP is an effective hair loss treatment. However, PRP therapy has been in use since the 1980s. It’s been used for problems such as healing injured tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

• Hair transplant

Hair transplantation — sometimes called hair restoration — is an outpatient procedure that uses micrografting technology to donate your own hair follicles to other areas of your scalp that are thinning. A hair transplant can improve your hairline and almost completely eliminate signs of hair loss. Like other cosmetic surgeries, a hair transplant can be highly effective. The results of a hair transplant are visibly long-lasting and are considered to be permanent. The procedure is also time-consuming and does involve a healing and recovery process.

• Scalp micropigmentation

Scalp micropigmentation is a cosmetic procedure that can change the pigment of your scalp, creating the appearance of small, short hairs and a fuller head of hair. Simply, it’s a cosmetic tattoo that conceals hair loss. Just remember: it doesn’t treat anything and, like all tattoos, will fade over time.

Recommended Hair Transplant Procedures for Women

Since reasons and type of hair loss in women are different from men, treatment process may differ. Hair loss in women is often a temporary condition due to hormonal causes and can be treated with medication. However, if the hair loss is genetic or in an advanced stage, hair transplantation is recommended for women.

When it comes to female hair loss, the most permanent hair restoration treatment techniques are follicular unit extraction (FUE) and direct hair implantation (DHI). In both techniques, individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor site and implanted into the recipient site. Both are methods that are less invasive and do not leave a linear scar. However, in DHI technique each follicle is transplanted directly by a special tool called Choi Pen without opening a channel.

It is important to remember that hair transplantation in women is not an instant solution. It is a gradual procedure that takes time to see the first results; usually it takes months, but sometimes a year. Apart from that, as with other medical procedures, there are possible harms and expected complications to watch out for.