Technically, yes—but it’s complicated.

There are some key differences between male and female hair loss, which can determine whether hair transplant surgery is a viable treatment option.

Both men and women can suffer from androgenetic alopecia or hereditary pattern baldness—the most common type of hair loss.

Generally, female pattern baldness differs from male pattern baldness in, essentially, the pattern—it looks different—and that can affect your treatment options.

Only a small percentage of women are considered good candidates for a hair transplant procedure.

Why the difference?

Women typically experience more diffuse hair loss, an overall thinning that impacts all areas of the scalp.

This includes the sides and back of the head, which are the main donor sites in hair transplants—or the areas where the hair is removed for transplantation to other areas of the head. Because thinning often occurs in these areas, it usually makes them unstable donor sites.

In male pattern baldness, the donor sites are more stable because those areas tend to be less affected by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink and eventually die.

For any hair restoration surgery, there must be a sufficient donor supply of viable, unaffected hair follicles to transplant. To restore hair loss and for hair to grow naturally again in the transplant area, healthy, normal-functioning follicles are necessary to achieve successful results. In women, the donor areas are more likely to be affected by DHT, meaning hair taken from these areas and transplanted elsewhere is just going to fall out, unfortunately.

Another important difference between male and female pattern baldness, though, is the impact on the frontal hairline, which frames the face. Unlike men, women suffering from hair loss tend to keep their frontal hairline, where hair loss is often most noticeable and a major factor in men seeking a hair transplant.

For women, loss of volume from the top and back is the more common concern and a hair transplant isn’t going to be incredibly effectual for increasing volume in that capacity. As a result, a hair transplant is not typically a treatment that can offer great potential for most women.

Of course, every individual situation is unique and you may not fall under the above generalizations.

Some women can absolutely benefit from a hair transplant procedure.

Could you be a candidate?

You may be potential candidate if any of the following describe your hair loss:

  • You have a distinct pattern of baldness (similar to that of male pattern baldness), which may include hairline recession, vertex thinning, and/or a donor area that is not affected by androgenetic alopecia (and the aforementioned follicular foe, DHT).
  • You have hair loss due to other, non hormonal forms of alopecia (such as mechanical, traction, or marginallis alopecia).
  • You suffer hair loss due to trauma (such as with burn victims and scarring from accidents).
  • You have had previous cosmetic surgery and concerned about hair loss around the incision sites.

Hair transplant surgery is not the only hair restoration treatment that can provide real results. For women suffering from hair loss, there are treatments options that can help. If you aren’t a good candidate for a hair transplant, there’s still hope.

Contact our office today to schedule your consultation. We can help you find the ideal, most effective treatment program for your unique needs.