Female hair transplant

Hair transplantation in women is just as common as it is in men. It is worth clearing up this question as soon as possible, as many women come to Instituto Médico del Prado asking whether they are also suitable candidates for a hair transplant.

It is true, however, that there are certain aspects to take into account. All hair treatments are suitable for both women and men, but the causes of alopecia may differ, and therefore some treatments may be advisable while others may not. Let’s explore these differences in this article.

Female Alopecia

Although baldness is culturally associated more with men, the data show that up to 30% of women will experience alopecia at some point in their lives. Female alopecia has different characteristics from male pattern baldness, and even its classification is different.

While male baldness is classified using the Hamilton-Norwood scale, female alopecia is assessed using the Ludwig Scale. The Ludwig Scale is divided into three stages: hair thinning or loss of density in the central frontal area (Stage 1), general weakening of the hair with hair loss on the top of the scalp (Stage 2), and obvious hair loss on the top of the head and crown (Stage 3).

In men, baldness may eventually leave only a narrow strip of hair above the ears and at the back of the head. This very rarely occurs in women.

The origin of androgenetic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss in Spain, is the same in women as in men. It is caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors that predispose us to progressive hair loss unless it is treated. The process may begin earlier or progress more rapidly due to external factors such as stress, an unbalanced diet, or a head injury.

Hormonal factors are particularly relevant in women, as hormonal changes—for example, during pregnancy—can affect hair health.

Solutions for Female Alopecia

The solution for female alopecia depends on its severity. At Instituto Médico del Prado, we offer various treatments to restore hair and increase hair density. If these are not sufficient, a hair transplant is always an option.

The most popular hair treatment is PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma). It involves taking a blood sample from the patient in order to obtain plasma, the component richest in platelets. Platelets are responsible for promoting healthy circulation and, consequently, help address the underlying cause of alopecia.

With a series of PRP sessions, excellent results can often be achieved without the need for a hair transplant in women. However, PRP can only be used when there is existing hair to recover—that is, when the follicles are miniaturised rather than lost. PRP can also be combined with other highly effective treatments such as hair mesotherapy or carboxytherapy.

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Hair Transplant for Women

However, when alopecia is more advanced and the miniaturised hairs can no longer be recovered, a hair transplant may be the best option. In women, the procedure is performed in exactly the same way as it is in men. This leads to a very common question: Is it necessary to shave the patient’s hair for a female hair transplant?

Ideally, for a hair transplant with FUE extraction and DHI implantation, the hair should be shaved. However, we all understand that hair loss in women can have a profound psychological impact.

For this reason, Dr. Espinosa Custodio does not completely shave the hair when performing a hair transplant on women. Instead, only the donor area—a section at the back of the head—is shaved. This area can easily be covered by the surrounding hair, making it virtually unnoticeable. Likewise, the recipient area is not shaved either.

This is possible because women rarely require a large number of follicular units. Dr. Espinosa Custodio spends the same number of hours on the procedure as he would with a male patient, but he has more time to decide how each follicle should be implanted. This allows him to select the best location and determine the position, depth, and angle of each follicle. As a result, the outcome remains completely natural, even without shaving the hair.

Dr. Espinosa Custodio works at Instituto Médico del Prado, his hair clinic in Madrid, and performs hair transplants in Mexico, twice a year. If you would like to make an appointment, you can contact us on +34 912 468 664, on WhatsApp +34 627 396 322 or on the contact page of our website. From Mexico you can contact us at +52 55 4590 9909.