For many women, hair loss can impact their self-esteem. While female hair loss is more common than you might think, oftentimes women feel like they are alone in their struggle. But rest assured, you are not alone. There are several hair restoration options for women, one of which is hair transplant.
Here we will explore female hair loss, its causes, and when hair transplant surgery is an option for women.
Female Hair Loss
Female hair loss is a common issue that affects millions of women worldwide. Unlike male pattern baldness, which typically results in a receding hairline, top of scalp and crown, female hair loss often presents as an overall thinning across the entire scalp.
Female pattern hair loss happens when hair follicles shrink over time, leading to thinning hair and eventually hair loss. This is known as ‘androgenetic alopecia’ or female pattern hair loss. “Androgenetic alopecia” is the medical term for genetic hair loss.
In addition to female pattern hair loss AGA, many other things can lead to hair loss in women. These include genetics, hormonal imbalances, medical conditions, certain medications, and hairstyles that pull on the hair.
Hair Transplant for Women
Hair transplants involve moving hair from a ‘donor site’ (an area of the head unaffected by hair loss) to a thinning or balding area.
Below are certain situations where women may be good candidates for hair transplant surgery:
Women Who Have a Distinct Pattern of Baldness, Like That of Male Pattern Baldness
Some women may experience a pattern of hair loss akin to male pattern baldness, characterized by a receding hairline and balding at the crown of the head. These women usually have stable donor hair and can benefit from hair transplants.
Women Who Have Experienced Hair Loss Due to Traction Alopecia (Non-Hormonal)
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss caused by constant tension or pulling on the hair follicles, often due to specific hairstyles like tight braids or ponytails. It’s non-hormonal, meaning it’s not associated with the hormonal changes that typically can cause female pattern baldness.
If the hair loss is extensive and the damaged follicles can’t regrow hair, a transplant surgery could be a viable solution.
Women Who Have Had Previous Cosmetic Surgery and Are Concerned About Hair Loss Around the Incision Sites
Sometimes, surgical procedures, like a face lift or brow lift, can result in hair loss around the incision areas, either due to scarring or the disruption of blood flow to the hair follicles. In such cases, a hair transplant surgery can help restore hair in these areas.
Women Who Suffer Hair Loss Due to Trauma, Including Burn Victims, Scarring from Accidents, and Chemical Burns
Traumatic events can lead to hair loss if they damage the scalp and hair follicles. For those with permanent hair loss due to such trauma, a hair transplant surgery can be an effective way to restore hair growth.
Hair Transplant Options for Women
There are two primary hair transplant techniques available for women: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE).
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
This method involves removing a strip of hair from the back of the head (the donor area), dividing it into individual hair grafts, and transplanting these grafts into the thinning or balding areas. FUT is often recommended for women because they can keep their existing hair in the donor area long.
The procedure can provide a dramatic improvement in hair density.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE involves extracting individual hair follicles from the donor area and transplanting them into the thinning or balding areas. For woman patients with long hair, the no-shave FUE tequine may be an option.
Hair Transplant Surgery in Washington State
At Northwest Hair Restoration, we understand the unique challenges women face when dealing with hair loss, and we’re here to help.
Our team, led by Dr. Robert Niedbalski, offers a range of surgical and non-surgical hair restoration treatments, tailored to the specific needs of our female patients. Whether it’s follicular unit extraction (FUE), follicular unit transplantation (FUT), or ACell + PRP Therapy, we leverage the most innovative techniques in the industry to help restore not just your hair, but also your confidence.
For more information, call us today at (253) 572-2949 or request a consultation online. We look forward to serving you!
