Hair transplantation for women – what you should know

 

Female hair transplants can be a great solution for many ladies who experience hair loss.  While treatment may have once been a stigma, this is no longer the case thanks to new techniques and more natural-looking results.  This growing trend is slowly making its way into the spotlight, with some of the most famous celebrities undergoing the treatment.  Besides, the stabilization of hair transplant costs in Turkey for women in recent years has opened the treatment to many new patients.

Regarding hair loss, there are some similarities between hair loss in men and hair loss in women. However, there are also major differences regarding the causes of the two.  These differences mean that although male pattern baldness accounts for over 95% of hair loss in men – making hair transplantation in Turkey a viable option for most – only 2-5% of women who experience hair loss are suitable candidates for treatment.

 

 

How does female hair loss differ from male hair loss?

 

Both men and women can experience hair loss, known medically as androgenetic alopecia,. You may also hear the common term – as male or female pattern baldness.  For both men and women, this type of hair loss usually occurs due to a combination of genetics, age and hormones.  However, the production of several additional hormones and enzymes in women makes it difficult to diagnose the exact cause of hair loss. And it also causes it to look different.

Male pattern baldness tends to present itself clinically. Basically, this means that a specialist can usually understand the causes of hair loss. Simply by looking at them and asking some routine questions about family and medical history.  In most men, hair loss usually takes the form of thinning or balding on the front and top of the head.  However, hair on the back and sides often remains stable.  Although the degree and severity of hair loss can vary-as demonstrated by the Norwood scale-this is the usual pattern that is common in male pattern baldness.

However, in comparison. Women start losing hair, it’s usually diffuse. Which means that the hair is thinning all over the head, not just the top. This is crucial because in men, the hair follicles remain at the back and sides of the head resistant to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is thought to be the cause of hair loss.

Therefore, when DHT-resistant hair follicles are transplanted from the back and sides of the head, upwards and forwards during male hair transplantation, their resistance to DHT is what prevents future hair loss.

For female hair transplants, diffuse hair loss means that there is often not enough hair in the back of the head to transplant forward. In addition, diffuse hair loss may indicate that the hair at the back of the head is not resistant to DHT. Therefore, any transplanted hair is likely to fall out again in the future.

 

Common types of female hair loss

There are three main types of alopecia in women: diffuse, patterned, and localized.  Within localized hair loss, there are additional designations of scarring and non-scarring subcategories.

Scattered

Although diffuse hair loss is most common among women. Patterned baldness, similar to that commonly seen in men, is also possible.  During this, hair loss occurs only on the front and top of the head. With little or no thinning of hair at the back and sides.

Patterned

Women with pattern baldness usually retain most of their frontal hairline. With thinning occurring at the back or in sections along the hairline. Women who experience patterned hair loss are often the most suitable candidates for hair transplantation in Turkey in women, as hair on the back and sides of the head usually indicates resistance to DHT.

Local

Local hair loss refers to hair loss that occurs in specific areas. As opposed to a diffuse or patterned version. Localized hair loss often results in the appearance of bald patches in different areas of the head.

 

What are the factors that can cause female hair loss?

Women’s hair can be susceptible to underlying systemic medical conditions, resulting in hair loss. It often appears as an effect or side effect of one of these conditions. For these reasons, it is difficult to determine the cause of a woman’s hair loss simply by looking at her. Therefore, further diagnostic testing is often needed.

As we mentioned earlier, there are many factors that can contribute to hair loss in women.  In the case of diffuse hair loss, some medications can be common causes. Like mood altering drugs, birth control pills, nutritional deficiencies, gynecological diseases, chemotherapy/radiotherapy and stress.

It is worth noting that in cases where diffuse hair loss is caused by a particular medication, it is often misdiagnosed. However, once you stop taking the medication, the hair loss will most likely stop. The same is often true with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, although the hair may not be as thick as before.

Women who have taken medications that have caused hair loss, or those who have undergone treatments such as chemotherapy, may qualify for a female hair transplant. However, this eligibility often also depends on where the hair was lost? Is the remaining hair strong and resistant to DHT?

 

 

I am experiencing hair loss: am I eligible for a hair transplant in Turkey?

First, it’s important to remember that hair transplants for women are usually only feasible for those who have lost hair on the top of the head, but the hair on the back and sides is still thick, strong and DHT-resistant. Therefore, it is best to go for a dermatology consultation to confirm that this type of treatment is a viable option for you.

With this in mind, we have provided a brief outline of the types of hair loss that generally respond well to hair transplantation in women.

 

• Female pattern baldness: Thinning hair on the top and parietal area with little or no thinning on the back and sides of the head.
• Mechanical, or traction, or alopecia areata: hair loss occurs in the front hairline, temples, and sometimes on the sides of the head. It often occurs as a result of using hairstyles that pull the hair tightly.
• Hair loss due to aesthetic surgeries: this most commonly affects women who have undergone procedures such as a facelift or brow lift and want to hide the visible scars from the cut.
• Hair loss due to trauma: this often refers to injuries such as burns (fire or chemical), but can also apply to many other cases.
• Naturally high hairline: Typically, women in this category undergo a hair transplant in Turkey to lower their hairline by a few inches.
• Transgender people transitioning from male to female: in these cases, the person often wants to create a more feminine hairline to frame the face.

After consulting with your doctor and demonstrating that you qualify for a hair transplant in Turkey, your specialist will discuss which specific hair restoration technique is most appropriate. The most advanced and viable options are  Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Direct Hair Implantation (DHI).

 

Female hair transplantation: Preparation for the surgery

Before you can undergo a hair transplant in Turkey, you will need to visit a hair loss specialist for an initial consultation and testing. Your specialist will run a number of tests to confirm what the likely cause of your hair loss is.

However, before these tests, it is important to take a detailed look at your head and hair loss. When you contact Meditravel, we will ask you to send us some photographs of your head from the front, top, back and sides. This will help us and your doctor get an initial assessment of your hair loss and eligibility for hair transplantation in women.

However, hair loss in women can have many causes and are difficult to assess with vision alone. Your doctor may also perform additional tests such as a microscopic evaluation of the hair, a pull test or a pull test. A scalp biopsy or blood test.

If you have already spoken with a doctor who has recommended a hair transplant in Turkey, one of our consultants can help you get started on this journey to your beauty! Contact us and we will provide you with information about female hair transplant in Turkey. You will be able to browse specific doctor profiles. Read real reviews and choose a treatment plan based on the criteria that are important to you. You can also check out our hair transplant cost guide for more detailed pricing information.