Transgender Hair Restoration Surgery

We have vast experience helping patients who are undergoing gender transformation. 

Guiding Points for Transgender Hair Restoration

1. Feminize with Natural Hair & Skin Characteristics

The goals for transgender patients are unique with the primary goal being to reshape male hair loss patterns into hairlines which project natural, feminine beauty. There is probably no better indicator of feminine style than a feminine hairline.

One way that Dr. Konior and Dr. Nadimmi achieve a properly designed hairline is by concentrating on the individual hair and skin attributes of their patients.  By taking those attributes into account, we can soften and feminize the appearance to frame the face in the most aesthetic way possible. The shape of the natural hairline, color of the hair and skin color all influence the planning of the hairline design.  In other words, the plan for the frontal hairline should follow typical female templates with attention to the unique skin and hair characteristics of the patient.  Dr. Konior and Dr. Nadimi implant at higher density in patients with fair skin and dark hair.  The higher density approach in these patients results in a more natural appearance because of the amount of color contrast between the hair and skin. In those with coarse or wavy hair, Dr. Konior and Dr. Nadimi implant a number of single hair units, often at lower density, into the frontal regions to display a soft and natural look.

2. Shape the Frontal Hairline to the Individual

Not every female template hairline will work well on every patient. There are general stereotypes of female hairlines and these must be integrated into the hairline design.  As important to the general rules that must be followed, the shape of the face, forehead, and brow must be taken into consideration in order to make the hairline work for the individual.  The cookie-cutter approach to hairline design often results in a feminized but odd appearance.  The secret, again, is making a unique hairline work for that unique individual.  Proper facial framing with a new hairline will enhance beauty by complementing the existing natural features.  If the hairline is raised or lowered, thickened or thinned, soft or more abrupt, more or less curved, with or without a widow's peak should depend upon the effect on the facial appearance as a whole.  The goal should not just be feminization, but rather feminine attractiveness.

3. Lower the Frontal Hairline and Round the Temples

As a rule, beautiful feminine hairlines are lower than masculine hairlines. The use of ultra-refined follicular unit transplantation can predictably reverse masculine hairline features such as recessed temples that otherwise do not appear soft and rounded.  For the transgender patient seeking a beautiful hairline, Dr. Konior and Dr. Nadimi will lower the hairline to enhance feminization.  The degree of lowering that is needed is heavily dependent upon the position of the eyebrows and the shape of the forehead.  Many transgender patients are familiar with the rule of thirds.  This ancient but reliable tool generalizes that beauty is best displayed with a perfect balance between the vertical distances between the three zones of the face.  When these three facial zones are observed to be in balance, the rule states that the individual is perceived to be more attractive.  In men with frontal hairline recession, studies have demonstrated that men are perceived as older and less desirable than their non-receeded peers (those where the rule of thirds is in balance).  In the transgender community, the hair transplantation strategy with lowering the frontal hairline and the temples is to restore a feminine rule of thirds balance.  With this feminine balance, the appearance of the hairline and temples is immediately conformed to a female standard of beauty.  The face as a whole is altered in a noticeably feminine way when proper framing principles are observed.

4. Add Density to Frontal and Mid-Scalp Zones to Disguise Thinning

Transgender patients can often display typical male pattern baldness in the form of thinning through the male pattern area.  When this thinning is obvious, perceived attractiveness is diminished.  Hair styling and surgical strategy can play a very important role for one desiring to feminize the frontal hairline while adding density to thinning areas.  Styling and strategy are most critical for someone with a poor donor supply and extensive hair loss.  The reason is that this person is already at a disadvantage in achieving hair feminizing goals compared with another with abundant donor hair resources.  If this patient has large scale thinning or baldness, by definition that patient will likely have insufficient donor resources to achieve full feminization.  A large amount of donor hair will be needed to lower and feminize the the hairline and to add density through the front, mid-scalp and crown, but sufficient donor hair will almost certainly not be available.  Many patients opt for a wig in order to hide extensive loss.  Others combine a multi-faceted approach as a solution.  Such an approach can consist of a strategy of implanting the hair most densely in the front and pulling it back into a pony tail or other combed back style.  This approach can give the appearance of a natural female hairline and natural female hair density.  Some will find that this style option will suit attractiveness very effectively, but it will not work on everyone.  A second option is to combine the hair transplant with the use of concealers to make the hair appear thicker in the mid-scalp or crown regions.  The hairline can be feminized as required for beauty, while the mid-scalp and crown are necessarily left thinner due to the lack of donor hair.  Concealers pick up from there and provide a boost in density to those thin zones.  In those transgender patients with extensive male pattern loss who are seeking to both lower, feminize, and fill the entire top, strategy must be used to employ the limited donor resources most effectively.  In those who are not limited by poor donor resources, lowering and feminizing can be accomplished along with adding density to the thinning areas behind the hairline.  These fortunate individuals can not only produce a soft feminine appearance, but mask effectively the thinning caused by male pattern baldness.

To contact our Chicago area office in Oakbrook Terrace to consult about transgender hair transplantation feminization and hairloss, complete the virtual consultation form or call us at 630-932-9690.