Hair Transplantation in Women

Background: Hair transplantation is a widely used treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and other hair loss conditions, with increasing demand from women in recent years.

Aim: Explore differences in hair loss patterns, surgical techniques, and psychosocial impacts between sexes that allow for a more tailored approach to optimize outcomes.

Methods: A PubMed review of 1,443 publications was conducted using the keywords “female,” “women,” and “hair transplantation.” Twenty-four studies focusing on hair transplantation in women were analyzed.

Results: Hair loss has a profound psychosocial impact on both genders, but women often face greater societal stigma. Women often present later than men for transplantation, with diffuse thinning across the vertex and temples compared to men who typically present with localized frontotemporal and crown recession. Women should be evaluated for systemic contributors and the presence of scarring or traction alopecia. Women favor follicular unit transplantation (FUT) due to donor area preservation and compatibility with long hairstyles, whereas men may be treated with FUT or follicular unit extraction (FUE).

Conclusion: Hair transplantation in women requires a tailored approach focusing on diffuse density restoration, donor area preservation, and adjunct medical management. Advances in techniques and adjunctive therapies are transforming the field, providing effective, patient-centered solutions for hair loss.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(9): doi:10.36849/JDD.8988