Regaining Your Crowning Glory with a Female Hair Transplant
Since ancient times, hair was and is an essential aspect of feminine beauty, thus, the term crowning glory attached to the tresses. Unfortunately, women are also susceptible to hair loss brought by heredity, hormonal imbalances and other health problems like stress, anemia and thyroid issues.
In the olden days, however, women were forced to live with hair loss because female hair transplant was unheard of. Methods to hide balding patches of hair included clever hairdos (side parts are still the most popular), highlights and lowlights to bring attention away from the bare areas, and wigs to cover up the entire head.
With the advent of hair transplant techniques, fortunately, hair loss in women now has a more effective, more permanent and more beautiful solution provided the right conditions are in place. Hair transplantation for women is a relatively routine procedure where surgeons transplant tiny groups of follicular units consisting of one to four hairs to the bald patches. The follicular units themselves are harvested from the thicker areas of hair in the sides and back of the patient’s head.
It must be emphasized that the female hair transplant procedure will only be as effective as the donor hair used in the first place. Thus, if the patient’s donor hair was of the thinner variety, then there will be lesser chances at keeping the results for a longer time than had coarse hair been transplanted. Also, more hair harvested and transplanted mean more success in keeping the new tresses.
The best surgeons will make more out of less hair by ensuring that the transplanted follicular units mimic the angle, direction and color of the surrounding strands. In this way, heads will turn but only to admire the abundant hair, not the bald patches on the head or the unnatural look of the hair.
However, not everybody of the millions who suffer from hair loss is eligible for a female hair transplant even when the costs are immaterial in the decision. Surgeons and patients must thoroughly discuss health issues affecting post-recovery, quality and quantity of the hair for harvesting, and measurement of skin elasticity, among other matters.
For example, coarse hair is best since it can cover up more areas as well as hold up better after the transplant. It is also important that the back and sides of the head, where the follicular units will be harvested, should contain sufficient amounts from ear to ear. Otherwise, the chances for long-term success diminish.
And then there is also the matter of hair loss-causing post-operative medications. The patient must also be assessed based on the body’s reactions to said medications as some women are more vulnerable than others.
Depending on the complexity and number of grafts, a female hair transplant can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 per individual. Keep in mind that hair transplant is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and, thus, will not be covered by insurance.
Hair transplant for women can be successful under the right conditions. Still, it is unrealistic to expect hair rivaling Rapunzel’s tresses although sufficient cover-up is possible. In many ways, regaining one’s crowning glory is now a dream come true.