Women experience baldness in different patterns than men. However, female baldness can often be treated with the same techniques and with excellent results. Nutrition and hormonal imbalance are more likely to be factors in thinning hair among women. Blood tests will usually be necessary to evaluate these possibilities. Women who have hair loss in the Ludwig patterns usually maintain a good hairline. The hair behind the hairline gradually miniaturizes, then becomes sparse. Usually the hair loss occurs at times of hormonal change such as childbirth or menopause. It is uncommon for women to thin beyond a Ludwig’s class II and very rare for complete baldness to occur. Christmas Tree Pattern may include the hairline. Often the hair loss accelerates in the early twenties and progresses over time. The hair on the back of the head retains its original density and can be used to create follicular unit hair transplants. Transplants are placed throughout areas of thinning hair. One to three (usually) treatments over time can produce considerable thickening of the hair. Menopause frequently exacerbates female thinning.

Balding in women can occur in various patterns.

1. Gradual pattern thinning throughout the top of the head behind the hairline. (Ludwig’s Pattern I, II, III).
2. Gradual thinning in one of the male patterns, rarely beyond IV.
3. Christmas Tree pattern
4. Diffuse alopecia (DA) in which the hair thins throughout the entire scalp.Women who have DA are not suitable candidates for hair transplantation. There is not sufficient donor hair to accomplish meaningful restoration. Fortunately, most women with hair loss fall into the other two groups and are treatable.

Hair Restoration after Mohs or Cosmetic Surgery

Before transplant:
Patient hair loss due to Mohs surgery for skin cancer two years prior.

After transplant:
One session of 2500 grafts covers scarring from earlier Mohs surgery