Fields of Application
Female Hair Transplant
Hair loss in women may result from hormonal factors, genetic predisposition, iron and vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disease, the post-partum period and certain medications. The decision to transplant in female patients is therefore made only after a thorough differential diagnosis and only in permanent, stable loss.
- Classification
- Ludwig I–III
- Approach
- Unshaven / partial shave
- Preferred Technique
- DHI or combined
- Pre-Tests
- Hormone and blood panel
Characteristics of Female-Pattern Loss
Whereas men typically show hairline recession and vertex thinning, women usually retain the frontal hairline and thin diffusely along the midline (Ludwig pattern). This directly shapes planning: the goal in women is generally to increase density between existing hairs rather than to create a new line.
Candidates
- Ludwig I–II with a preserved occipital donor area
- Lowering of a high forehead (hairline advancement)
- Traction alopecia from tight styling
- Camouflage of surgical or burn scars
Diffuse unpatterned loss, active telogen effluvium and scarring scalp disorders may not be suitable; medical treatment takes priority in these cases.
Unshaven Approach
Most female patients do not wish to shave. A narrow strip in the donor area, hidden beneath the overlying hair, is trimmed short; the recipient area is not shaved and grafts are placed between existing hairs with a DHI implanter. The trimmed strip is covered by the hair above it after the procedure.
Preliminary Work-Up
Ferritin, B12, vitamin D, thyroid function and, where indicated, an androgen panel are reviewed before surgery. If an underlying medical cause is present, it is treated first and stabilisation of loss is awaited. This is decisive for the permanence of transplanted grafts.
Procedure and Recovery
Under local anaesthesia, typically 5–7 hours. Unshaven work takes longer than fully shaved procedures and limits grafts per session. Washing, crust clearance and shock loss follow the same course as in men; longer hair conceals the crusting phase more easily.