Hair Loss is More Common Than You Think

Hair loss can be a deeply emotional experience, and it affects more people than you might think. While many associate hair loss with men, women are just as likely to experience thinning hair, receding hairlines, or a widening part. If you find yourself avoiding mirrors or adjusting your hairstyle to hide scalp exposure, you’re not alone.

For both men and women, hair loss can be devastating. And yet, solutions like hair transplants are often misunderstood. In this blog, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about hair restoration, including what to expect, how to decide if it’s right for you, and why women may need a very different approach.

What Is a Hair Transplant?

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure where healthy hair follicles are taken from one part of the scalp (typically the back of the head, where hair is more resistant to hair loss) and transplanted to areas experiencing thinning or baldness.

There are two primary types of hair transplant procedures:

• FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation): Also known as the "strip method," this involves removing a small strip of scalp tissue and dissecting it into individual follicular units under a microscope before transplanting them to the thinning areas.
• FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): This technique involves extracting individual hair follicles using a tiny punch tool. The follicles are then implanted in the areas of hair loss.

FUE is the more popular method worldwide today, accounting for about 74% of all hair transplants. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for everyone.

Why Women Need a Different Approach to Hair Transplants

While FUE is often marketed as less invasive and scar-free, it requires shaving a significant portion of the scalp, making it less appealing to women who typically wear longer hairstyles. For female patients, FUT is often preferred because the strip of hair removed from the donor site can be easily hidden without shaving the entire area.

Moreover, female pattern hair loss differs from male pattern baldness. Women tend to experience diffuse thinning rather than defined bald spots. This requires a different strategy and a provider experienced in treating women’s hair loss.

Medical Therapy is the Foundation

Hair transplants are not a standalone solution. Dr. Kopelman, a leading expert in hair restoration, emphasizes the importance of starting with medical therapy before even considering surgery.

Treatments may include:

• Topical minoxidil (Rogaine)
• Oral finasteride or dutasteride (primarily for men)
• Spironolactone (commonly used in women with androgenic alopecia)
• Nutritional supplementation (such as biotin, iron, or vitamin D)
• PRP or mesotherapy treatments

Consistency is key. Think of medical therapy as the maintenance required to protect your investment in a hair transplant. Without it, newly transplanted hairs can eventually fall victim to the same factors that caused your original hair loss.

PRP vs. Mesotherapy: Which One Is More Effective?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained popularity in recent years. It involves drawing your blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to isolate growth factors, and injecting it into the scalp. While PRP can work well for some, results are inconsistent and highly patient-dependent.

Mesotherapy, on the other hand, involves injecting proven medications like dutasteride or minoxidil directly into the scalp. Dr. Kopelman notes that mesotherapy often yields more predictable and robust results than PRP, especially in long-term hair preservation.

What to Expect During and After a Hair Transplant Procedure

If you’re deemed a good candidate for a transplant, you can expect the following:

• Pre-Treatment: You’ll likely begin or continue medical therapy leading up to the procedure.
• The Procedure: Most hair transplants take 6–7 hours and are performed under local anesthesia. A team of skilled technicians assists in preparing and placing the grafts. Patients remain awake and can often watch a movie or listen to music during the procedure.
• Recovery: Bruising and mild swelling are common. Many people return to work within a few days, though full results won’t be visible until 6–9 months post-treatment.
• Results: Final results take up to a year. The transplanted hairs initially shed before regrowth begins. Patients often require multiple sessions to achieve desired density.

Hair Transplants Are Also for Eyebrows

Hair restoration isn’t limited to the scalp. Eyebrow transplants are becoming increasingly popular, especially for women who have overplucked or experienced thinning due to aging or hormonal changes. The procedure follows a similar method as scalp hair transplants, often with dramatic and natural-looking results.

Are You a Good Candidate for Hair Transplantation?

Not everyone experiencing hair loss is a candidate for a transplant. You may be a good candidate if:

• You have been diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss)
• You have realistic expectations
• You have good donor hair density
• You are willing to maintain medical therapy long-term

If your hair loss is due to scarring alopecia, autoimmune conditions, or medical illness, a transplant may not be the best option.

Choosing the Right Provider

Hair restoration is as much an art as it is a science. Look for a board-certified dermatologist or surgeon with experience in both FUT and FUE techniques, particularly someone who understands the nuances of treating female patients.

Red flags to watch for:

• Clinics offering only one method (often FUE) without evaluating your individual needs
• Clinics that do not require a full medical evaluation before recommending surgery
• "Hair mills" that prioritize volume over results

Top Questions to Ask During Your Consultation

1. Do you offer both FUT and FUE? Which method do you recommend for me?
2. What experience do you have treating female hair loss?
3. What will my post-procedure maintenance plan include?
4. What type of medical therapy will I need before and after the procedure?
5. How many sessions do you anticipate I will need?

Hair loss can be incredibly personal and emotionally draining. Fortunately, there are more options than ever—from prescription treatments and advanced therapies like mesotherapy, to highly customized surgical solutions. But the best outcomes happen when you work with a provider who listens to your concerns, evaluates the root cause of your hair loss, and designs a plan tailored to your needs.

A hair transplant isn’t just about regrowing hair. It’s about restoring confidence. And when done right, it can be life-changing.

To learn more, tune into the latest episode of The Skin Real podcast, where I talk with Dr. Kopelman about the ins and outs of modern hair restoration.