Can women have a hair transplant?

Yes, but it suits them less often than men. Good candidates have stable, limited hair loss with a dense donor area, a high hairline or scars. A medical check comes first.

What is the Ludwig scale?

A classification of female hair loss in three stages, from slight thinning at the parting to a strongly thinned area on top of the head. It's the counterpart to the Norwood scale for men.

Which blood values should I have checked?

That's for the doctor to decide. Iron, thyroid values and hormones are often tested.

Do I have to shave my head for the transplant?

Not necessarily. Some clinics only shave a narrow strip under longer hair or offer an unshaven technique. Ask about it specifically.

Does hair grow back after pregnancy?

Hair loss a few months after giving birth is common and usually resolves by itself. If it persists, have it checked by a doctor.

Female hair loss: when a hair transplant makes sense

Hair loss in women usually develops differently than in men, and it more often has causes that can be treated. Here you'll learn which patterns exist, what should be checked first and when a transplant comes into question.

By the Trichio team, Editorial and clinic reviewPublished October 23, 20264 min read

Key points

In women, hair usually thins at the parting while the hairline stays. This is classified with the Ludwig scale.
Treatable causes are often behind it, such as iron deficiency, the thyroid or hormonal changes. That's why a medical check comes first.
A transplant suits women less often than men, because the donor area often thins too. With stable, limited hair loss it can make sense.

What hair loss looks like in women

In men the hairline usually recedes. In women it often stays, but hair at the parting and on top of the head gets thinner and the parting looks wider. This form is called female pattern hair loss.

It is classified with the Ludwig scale in three stages: slight thinning at the parting, clear thinning, and a strongly thinned area on top of the head. There is also hair loss spread diffusely over the whole head, or round bald patches.

Common causes

Hereditary predisposition and hormonal influences, often stronger during menopause.
Iron deficiency and other nutritional deficiencies.
Thyroid disorders.
Hair loss after pregnancy, fever, surgery or severe stress. It often starts a few weeks to months later and usually resolves by itself.
Hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Constant pulling on the hair from tight hairstyles, extensions or braids.
Certain medications.

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Get it checked by a doctor first

Because so many causes are treatable, an examination by a dermatologist should come first. This usually includes a close look at scalp and hair and a blood test, for example for iron, thyroid values and hormones.

If a treatable cause is found, hair often grows back once it's treated. A transplant would then not be the right path.

When a transplant comes into question

A transplant suits women less often than men. With diffuse hair loss the donor area at the back often thins too, so good grafts are lacking. It can come into question, for example:

with stable, clearly limited hair loss and a dense donor area,
with a high or receded hairline, for example from birth or after tight hairstyles,
after permanent hair loss from pulling, once the cause has stopped,
with scars, for example after accidents or surgery.

Whether your situation is one of these is something an examination clarifies. A serious clinic also tells you if a transplant wouldn't help much in your case.

What exists besides a transplant

Treating the cause, for example iron or a well-adjusted thyroid.
Minoxidil, which is available without prescription in Germany in a strength for women.
Other medication that is only prescribed by a doctor. Finasteride is not approved for hair loss in women and must not be taken during pregnancy.
Cosmetic solutions such as hairpieces, powders or scalp pigmentation.

If a transplant is done: specifics for women

Many women don't want their head shaved for extraction. Some clinics therefore offer extraction where only a narrow strip under longer hair is shaved, or an unshaven technique. Ask about it specifically.

When densifying between existing hair, shock loss can also affect hair around the treated area. It usually grows back. Plan a few months of patience.