Transgender Hair Transplants
For many people, the outward expression of their gender identity isn’t something they’ve ever put much thought into. If your physical appearance has always matched how you feel on the inside, it’s easy to understand why. For many trans men and women, however, it’s something they’ve had to think about their entire lives.
At RESTORE®, our goal has always been to help every single person who walks through our door look and feel their best—whatever that means to them. We’ve specialized in transgender hair transplants and non-surgical hair restoration techniques with the best doctors in the business, the best available technology, and the most compassionate team of experts you’ll ever meet.
We know that transforming your appearance is a big decision for anyone to make, but it’s an especially important decision for many people in the trans community.
Read all about Erin Parisi, a transgender athlete, and how Dr. Harris of RESTORE® Hair helped put the “the finishing touches” on her appearance.
No matter how you choose to express your gender identity, we’ve helped thousands of men and women achieve some incredible results. Whether our patients are trans or cisgendered, our approach is always the same—focus on the hair. Here are a few things that anyone looking for a masculine or feminine appearance may want to consider when it comes to their hair.
What Is A Transgender Hair Transplant
A transgender hair transplant is a specialized hair transplant procedure designed to help transgender patients align their hairline and overall hair pattern with their gender identity. Transgender hair transplant treatments are often used as part of gender-affirming care and can support both hair restoration and facial appearance goals. These procedures involve taking hair follicles from a donor area and placing them in new positions to reshape the hairline and improve hair density.
How Hair Transplant For Transgender Patients Works
Hair transplant for transgender patients uses the same medical techniques used in standard hair transplantation. During the procedure, hair follicles are carefully removed from the donor area of the scalp and transplanted into areas where additional hair growth is desired. This process involves taking hair follicles from somewhere else on the body to adjust a person’s hairline or fill areas affected by hair loss. The transplanted follicles grow naturally and become permanent hair over time.
Hairline Design And Gender Goals
Hairline design is one of the most important aspects of transgender hair restoration. Transgender patients may seek a hairline that better matches masculine or feminine facial characteristics. For example, male hairlines often sit higher on the forehead, while feminine hairlines typically appear lower and more rounded. A skilled surgeon works closely with the patient during consultation to plan a hairline that supports their appearance goals and overall facial balance.
Techniques Used In Transgender Hair Restoration
Many clinics perform transgender hair transplantation using modern techniques such as FUE. In this method, individual follicular unit grafts are removed and transplanted to the desired areas. FUE allows surgeons to precisely place each follicular unit and create natural hair patterns. These procedures can help restore hair in areas affected by hair loss while also reshaping the hairline.
Consultation And Personalized Care
A consultation is an important step before transgender hair transplant surgery. During this appointment, the medical team evaluates hair loss patterns, donor hair availability, and the patient’s desired results. Each treatment plan is personalized to the patient’s needs, ensuring that the final results look natural and support their gender expression. With proper planning and care, transgender hair transplants can significantly improve confidence and overall satisfaction with appearance.
Common Female Characteristics for Transgender Hair Transplants
When compared to men, women traditionally have a much lower frontal hairline, a rounded hairline, and thicker hair throughout their scalp and crown. For anyone looking to achieve this look, we typically remove hair follicles one-by-one from the back and sides of the head (where hair is generally much thicker) and transplant them individually throughout any areas of temple recession and frontal hairline or crown thinning.
This technique is called a FUE. We pioneered this modern technique and use cutting-edge technology like the ARTAS robot to help us execute surgeries as minimally invasive and painless as possible.
For our transgender hair transplant patients who have undergone gender reassignment surgery or take female hormones, common male hair loss patterns will, fortunately, slow down or stop completely. For those who choose not to go down that route but also want to keep as much of their hair as possible, we recommend taking topical solutions or an orally administered daily medication. These non-surgical solutions help slow down hair loss and improve thinning hair.
Common Male Characteristics for Transgender Hair Transplants
At the other end of the spectrum, men are commonly known to have receding and/or thinning hairlines whether they like it or not. So, if you’re after a more traditional male look and have a full head of hair, style it to your heart’s content!
Another common characteristic found on many cis men is, of course, facial hair. For anyone hoping to achieve a beard, goatee, mustache or sideburns, no matter how thin or wispy their current facial hair is, a facial hair transplant can help deliver natural results.
These transplants work very similar to hair transplants on your head. We move hair from the donor area (usually the back and sides of the head) to parts of the face where hair is missing. For our transgender hair transplant patients, this procedure has helped enhance the results of testosterone therapy alone. And don’t worry, the donor areas on your head won’t look any different than it did before the procedure. With approximately 100,000 hairs on the human head, your scalp won’t miss the 1,000+ needed to fill in facial hair.
We all deserve to feel comfortable in our own skin, and thanks to modern advances in hair restoration, you can. Contact us for a thorough discussion about your best options. We can’t wait to set you on your journey of transformation.
Dr. James Harris is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, inventor of patented follicular unit excision technology, published author in the field of hair restoration and an advocate for patient care. He is currently at the forefront of research and development in the field of hair cloning. Learn more about Dr. Harris or read rave reviews from his patients.