Hair transplant
Women's Hair Transplant
Diffuse thinning, frontal recession in women, scarring alopecia. A tailored surgical plan with unshaven options where appropriate.
Session length
6–9 hours
Grafts per session
1,500 – 3,500
Recovery (visible)
5–10 days
Final result
12–18 months
Technique
DHI (often unshaven)
Bloodwork
Required at intake
Female hair loss demands a different surgical plan than male pattern baldness. The hairline is usually intact; loss is diffuse across the central scalp. The challenges are also different: lower donor density on average, hormonal contributors that must be assessed before surgery, and a strong patient preference for unshaven techniques.
We will not operate on a woman until we have confirmed the diagnosis — pattern hair loss vs. telogen effluvium vs. scarring alopecia — and bloodwork has been reviewed. Operating on the wrong cause is the single biggest source of disappointment in female hair transplant.
Why Female Pattern Loss Needs Different Planning
Men typically lose hair from the front and crown while keeping a stable horseshoe of donor. Women lose hair diffusely from the central scalp — including the donor area itself. That changes the math: fewer "safe" donor follicles, more careful planning, and often a multi-session approach.
The Mandatory Pre-op Work-up
Before any surgical plan we require:
- Full thyroid panel (TSH, free T4, free T3, TPO antibodies)
- Ferritin (must be >50 ng/mL for healthy hair regrowth)
- Vitamin D, B12, zinc
- Hormonal panel — testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG, prolactin
- PCOS screen if menstrual irregularity is present
- Trichoscopic examination of the scalp
Unshaven Procedures
Most women prefer not to shave their head for a transplant. With DHI we can usually trim only the recipient area — leaving the surrounding hair long enough to cover the trimmed zone for 2–3 weeks. The donor area still needs to be trimmed short for graft extraction, but the trim is hidden under the surrounding longer hair.
When Surgery Is Not the Right Answer
Many women come to us hoping for a transplant when the better answer is medical management or SMP camouflage. We will tell you so directly. Active scarring alopecia, very low donor density, untreated hormonal disorders — all are reasons to wait or to choose a non-surgical plan.
Suitability
Is this the right procedure for you?
Best for
- Stable female pattern hair loss (Ludwig II–III)
- Diffuse thinning with documented stable bloodwork
- Frontal recession in women (post-FFA, stable)
- Stable scarring alopecia (Lichen Planopilaris in remission)
Not the right fit when
- Active frontal fibrosing alopecia
- Active telogen effluvium (wait until shedding has stabilised for 6+ months)
- Untreated thyroid disorder, severe ferritin deficiency
- Active scarring alopecia
The package
What is included
The figure you sign at intake covers everything below. No itemised invoices, no surprise add-ons.
Frequently asked
Honest answers
Will I need to shave my head?
Usually not. The donor area at the back of the scalp will need to be trimmed for graft extraction, but the surrounding longer hair covers the trim while it grows out. The recipient area can often be left unshaven entirely with DHI.
Why do you require bloodwork before surgery?
Female hair loss often has hormonal, thyroid or nutritional contributors that must be addressed before surgery. Operating during active telogen effluvium or untreated thyroid disease produces poor results. Getting the diagnosis right is the most important step.
How does my recovery differ from a man's?
Recovery timeline is identical — crusts gone by day 10, shock-loss at week 2–4, regrowth at month 3, final density at 12–18 months. The main differences are styling logistics during the early weeks (we cover this in detail in your aftercare plan).
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Start with a free intake.
No cost. No obligation. We will tell you honestly if surgery is the right fit — or if a non-surgical plan would serve you better.