Can Women Get Hair Restoration Surgery?
Culturally associated with men, hair loss is actually a big issue for women. Whether due to traction alopecia from over styling, or the result of hormonal shifts from aging, hair loss is a real problem that affects women from all backgrounds. As many as 90 percent of balding men in the nation are believed to be good candidates for hair restoration surgery. Is the same true for women? If you’re a woman wondering whether this type of surgery can restore your locks, this article will answer your questions.
What Causes Hair Loss
The reasons for hair loss are just as varied as the types of people experiencing hair loss. Hair loss typically comes down mechanical causes – such as overly tight ponytails and braids – or biological causes, such as aging or even pregnancy. Top reasons include:
- Genetics
- Autoimmune issues
- Stress
- Medications
The list truly goes on and on. Hair replacement surgery is a popular and often successful option for many people. But its success depends largely on the type of hair loss you’re experiencing.
Hair Loss Types
Hair loss can be further broken down into diffuse hair loss and pattern baldness. The latter, usually experienced by men, happens when dihydrotestosterone shrinks hair follicles in limited areas of the head. Because hair follicles in some areas of the head are still stable, doctors can harvest them and transplant them with ease.
Not so for women. Women tend to have diffuse hair loss. This means hair follicles are affected all over the head, leaving few areas that would be suitable for hair removal and transplantation. A doctor could go ahead with transplantation but there would not be much use. Any hair transplanted from affected areas would simply fall out.
Can Women Get Hair Transplantation?
Despite this, there are still some women who can benefit from hair transplant surgery. Roughly 2 percent to 5 percent of women are good candidates. These are women who have balding very similar to male pattern balding, with hair loss mostly in the hairline area and crown. Other good candidates include women who lose their hair to traction alopecia or via other traumatic causes.
Like it or not, our hair is often a big part of our self-image. Maintaining a head of lustrous locks may get harder as we age, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. Understand the options if you’re a woman coping with hair loss and consult with a specialist in hair transplantation to see if you could be a good candidate.
Resources:
Wikipedia, Hair Treatment
