Transgender Hair Restoration Options

Transgender patients are no different than any person seeking hair restoration surgery. The main issue faced in regards to transsexual patients is the need to change a "masculine" hairline to a more "feminine" one. This issue applies to male to female transsexual patients who suffer from male patterned baldness. There are generally two issues: One includes the recession of the frontal corners which makes the frame of the face more masculine. Second includes additional miniaturization or balding of the rest of the hair which may require further hair restoration.

The first issue can easily be corrected through follicular unit hair transplant surgery. This includes refilling the receded frontal corners and correcting the hairline to a more natural and feminine looking one. The second issue is generally caused by testosterone. Anti-testosterone medication like Spironolactone can help to slow down additional hair loss but it does not stop the balding process. Transgender male patients whom have had their testicles surgically removed will not experience the same condition since they have eliminated testosterone production. Only people who are genetically susceptible to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) would have to be most concerned about medication options like Propecia.

A good hair transplant surgeon will have a good understanding in the differentiating facial features and proportions between a male and female hairline. Women hairline is different from a man in many aspects such as the location of the hairline from eyebrow level at mid frontal and laterals; temples need to be restored in a complete female shape; direction and orientation of hair shafts are also different between men and women. Transsexual hair transplant procedures must be treated meticulously and professionally.

A hair restoration procedure is a good recommendation for patients looking into changing their hairline to a feminine one. We recommend continuing all regular medical treatments of anti-testosterone medication and a possible hair transplant to reshape the frame of the face. Maximum fullness and a perfect female pattern can generally be achieved through more than one procedure.