Hairline Transplant Surgery
What Is A Hairline Hair Transplant?
A hairline hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves relocating hair from the back and sides of the scalp to the receded area in an uneven hairline and temples. It can be performed using the FUE or FUT hair transplant method.
Our Surgeons are world-renowned experts in performing the procedure without the need to shave the entire head and this is called an unshaven or minimally shaven hairline transplant.
The surgery is often performed in patients suffering from hair loss affecting the hairline and temples. The procedure is best discussed and performed with a Surgeon as patients will need to understand the diagnosis of their hair loss and how surgery can help alongside medical treatments to maintain and restore their hair.
Common causes of a receding hairline
The most common cause of a receding hairline in men is male patterned baldness. It is caused by a specific type of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) making hair thin in the hairline, temples and crown.
Other causes include traction alopecia where hair is tied too tight causing tension across the hairline which over time causes the hairline to recede. Patients may also suffer from a stress, causing hair to thin across the hairline.
In women, the most common cause of having a hairline that appears receded, is a congenitally acquired high hairline. There may not be active hair loss causing the hairline to recede, but instead the hairline may have also appeared high which is something that is genetically inherited.
Early signs of hairline recession
Patients may notice subtle thinning across their hairline before the hairline actively becomes bald. The temples tend to recede backwards, leaving an "M" shaped hairline with an island at the front, sometimes called a widow's peak. Early hairline recession can also be associated with subtle crown thinning which is noticeable at the back of the head.
This patient has early signs of hairline recession, which was treated with medications and surgery to restore his hairline
Late signs of hairline recession
In later stages of hairline recession, the hairline and temples will have receded and become bald entirely, leaving a "D" shaped zone of no hair at the front. This late stage of recession is often seen together with crown balding where an round patch of hair loss is seen at the top of the head.
This patient had receded across his hairline forming a "D" shaped area. He underwent hair transplant surgery to the area to restore it to its original position
Benefits of Hairline Transplant Surgery
Hair transplant surgery offers numerous benefits for individuals suffering from hair loss. One of the most significant advantages is the long term and natural-looking results of hair restoration in a the hairline area.
The procedure is often performed using the FUE hair transplant technique which is a minimally invasive procedure that requires minimal downtime, allowing patients to return to their daily activities quickly.
The procedure is also highly effective in treating various types of hair loss, including male pattern baldness where the patient has suffered a receding hairline and temples.
Hair transplant surgery can also be performed in female sufferers of hair loss or in those who naturally have a high hairline and would like to cosmetically lower its position.
Dan’s Hairline Transplant
Type of Surgery : FUE hair transplant
Hair Loss Level : N/A
Number of Grafts : 1510
"If you are concerned about your hair, like a lot of guys are, getting in touch with The Treatment Rooms and making that change is the best thing I’ve ever done for my confidence"
The Treatment Rooms London Reviews
Hairline Transplants- Before & After Results
Our before and after gallery is one of the largest collection of hairline hair transplant cases in the UK and worldwide. Please feel free to navigate to help you understand how a hairline hair transplant can treat areas of hairline recession.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Hairline Hair Transplant?
Patients who are showing significant concern and distress from a receding hairline may benefit from exploring a hairline hair transplant. The area of recession may be more evident on windy days and patients may go to great extents to conceal a receding hairline with comb overs or the use of hair fibres. In these instances, patients are demonstrating significant avoidance behaviours because of their receding hairline will benefit from speaking to a hair transplant surgeon to see how they can help.
A good candidate for hairline hair transplant surgery tends to be a patient who has reached an age whereby they are unlikely to lose more hair or have stabilised their hair loss with medications like Finasteride and/or Minoxidil. Surgery can be performed in patients with early stage hairline recession as well as late stage, advanced hair loss.
Patients who consider surgery too early may end up with further thinning behind a hairline requiring more surgery. This requires careful planning and not all patients can have repeated surgery to restore hair that is continuing to fall out. All patients at The Treatment Rooms London will require a consultation with a hair transplant to diagnose the cause of hair loss and plan the appropriate treatment for it.
Preparing for a Hairline Transplant Surgery
Preparing for hairline transplant surgery is crucial. This is best discussed with your dedicated surgeon. At our clinic we explore the underlying diagnosis for your hairline hair loss and how it has affected your mental health. As part of your treatment plan for your hairline, our Surgeons may suggest medications to help stabilise ongoing hair loss before having surgery.
Before the surgery, we advise patients on how they should prepare by stopping certain medications, food and drink to avoid issues during surgery.
As part of your preparation we supply specific instructions and a shampoo to use so patients should arrive with clean and washed hair. In addition we advise patients avoid wearing any makeup or jewellery.
Your hair transplant surgeon will provide personalised instructions and guidance to ensure you are well-prepared for the procedure.
Hairline Hair Transplant Procedure
A hairline transplant procedure involves transplanting healthy hair follicles from the donor area, typically located at the back and sides of the head, to the receding area in the hairline.
The procedure is usually performed using the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) or FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) methods, which involves extracting hair follicles from the donor area and implanting them into the recipient area. The common process of hairline transplant surgery involves:
- Outlining the hairline to be transplanted. This will require considerations around the direction and angle at which hairs are implanted
- Numbing the donor area and hairline recipient area with local anaesthesia
- Extraction of hair follicles to be transplanted
- Incisions made in the hairline for new hairs to be implanted
- Lunch
- Implantation of new hairs in the hairline to match the natural flow of the area
- Recovery at home
- 9-18 months for hairline to grow
The entire procedure can take several hours, depending on the number of hair grafts needed. A receding hairline transplant should give a result that lasts 10- 20 years or longer.
Hairline Transplant Surgery at The Treatment Rooms London
At The Treatment Rooms London our Surgeons are specialists in the FUE hair transplant technique for restoring hair in the hairline.
The first step in planning a hairline transplant is understanding the natural position of your original hairline and what you would like to achieve with surgery. Our Surgeons can show you where your original hairline was and what hairline would suit you best as you age.
The process of surgery involves the extraction of individual healthy hair follicles from the back and sides of the scalp and transplanting them into the hairline to restore hair in an area it has receded in. The process of a receding hairline hair transplant surgery can help:
- Restore good density in the hairline and temples that blend with existing hair
- Recreate a cowlick if there was previously one in the hairline
- Recreate natural hair direction and angulation so the new hair transplant looks no different to your hair previously
Your transplanted hair will grow over 1 year and we will review your progress at that point. The result should last 10-20 years or longer.
Hairline hair transplant cost
The cost for a hairline hair transplant will be based on the amount of recession you have and how much work you would like done. Typically the price for FUE or FUT hairline surgery ranges between £4,000- £10,000 in our clinic.
The cost will be dependent on the number of grafts you require for surgery, your hair type and whether you wanted to opt for a minimally shaven or unshaven hairline transplant. It will also take into account our clinic's policy of having every patient be seen and operated on by a Surgeon and ensuring their care delivered to a high standard.
It is crucial to select a reputable hair transplant clinic to ensure the best results and value for money.
Planning a hairline transplant
If you have a receding hairline, you may fall into one of the following categories:
- Your hairline has receded so much that you no longer have a defined hairline
- Your hairline has receded at the temples, forming an “M” shape or a “widow’s peak”
- Your hairline has matured into a “V” shape, also known as a matured hairline
- Or your hairline has thinned but still retains its general outline.
In most types of hairline recession, the main cause is male pattern baldness (1). This process is caused by DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which causes the hair follicles to become weak and fall out. It is called "pattern baldness" as the same pattern of hair thinning and balding appears in most men affected. The different types of pattern correlative with how severely you have been affected by hair loss. They are summarised in the Norwood Scale as you can see in the picture below.
By looking at the Norwood Scale you will be able to classify where your hairline is at the moment. Your Surgeon will be able to explain where they will recommend bringing your hairline to, in keeping with the health of your donor area and what you would like to achieve.
If you are at an advanced stage of hair loss, you will need to carefully consider how much you want to restore especially if you require work in your crown or in areas that may thin further. Our Surgeons may suggest planning a hair transplant that gives you a more conservative hairline position but maximises the visual density but compacting hair into a smaller area. Generally it is advisable not to plan a hairline too low as this may look unnatural as you age.
Hairline Position in Men
A lot of male patients request for their hairline to be brought down to match the hairline they had when they were in their late teenager years. It is our opinion that this is not a good idea. Not only will this require many hair grafts that thin your donor zone but also a very low hairline will look unnatural as you age.
We recommend male patients restore their hairline to a position that has a mild temple recession. This might be slightly higher than what patients expect but means the procedure will be smaller in size and leaves plenty of hair in the donor area for patients to use in the future should they recede further.
Hairline Position in Women
The hairline position in women tends to be rounder and more oval when compared to men. Achieving an oval position is important in female hairline hair transplant surgery as this is a hallmark of a feminine hairline.
Hair Transplant Techniques
There are several hair transplant techniques available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The most common techniques include strip harvesting (FUT) and follicular unit excision (FUE).
FUT hair transplant surgery involves removing a strip of hair-bearing skin from the back and sides of the head, which is then dissected into individual follicular units.
FUE, on the other hand, involves extracting individual hair follicles directly from the donor area using a specialised tool. Both techniques require great skill and expertise to achieve natural-looking results.
Creating a Natural-Looking Hairline
Creating a natural-looking hairline is an important aspect of hair transplant surgery. The surgeon must carefully plan and create a hairline that complements the patient’s facial features, hair type, and overall appearance but also respects their ongoing hair loss condition.
The hairline should be placed at a natural angle and direction. A crucial part of ensuring a natural looking hairline transplant is implanting micro-hairs (single hairs) at the front of the hairline to give the natural looking hairline. At The Treatment Rooms London, our Surgeons ensure every patient has this planned as a default part of their procedure.
How old are you and will your hairline recede further?
If you are young (20-27 years old) then you might want to wait until you're 27 years or older before considering surgery especially if you are not taking hair loss medications. This means your surgeon can assess the full pattern of your hair loss. It is important to know how quickly you have receded, so your surgeon can plan for future hair loss and therefore a hairline that would suit you as you age.
How much donor hair can you transplant into a hairline?
Understanding how much hair you have at the back of your head is also crucial when planning your hairline transplant. You have a finite supply of hair on the back and sides that you can transplant so you need to carefully plan how best to use it. If you have dense hair at the back then it is likely you will have enough hair to achieve a hairline you would like. For those who don't have enough hair then you will need to carefully plan how you can achieve a hairline you want- especially if you have an advanced level of hair loss on the Norwood Scale. If you don't have much hair you may decide to have a hair transplant that gives you coverage of hair- this is particularly the case for patients who are Norwood 7.
Preventing hairline recession with Finasteride
If you are considering a hair transplant to your hairline, it is likely that your hairline will recede further, so you need to make sure you plan for future hair transplants or stabilise your hair loss with medications like Finasteride. Taking Finasteride is an important decision and as with all medications there are side effects which you can read more about here: Finasteride and its side effects. Our Surgeons will be able to advise you on the medication during a consultation.
This gentleman underwent a hair transplant to his hairline and took Finasteride to prevent his existing hairline receding further
Hairline Hair Transplant FAQs
- A hair transplant can reshape the hairline by designing a natural and aesthetically pleasing hair pattern.
Why Choose The Treatment Rooms London for your hairline transplant?
Our award winning clinic utilises the latest technology and surgical techniques, and we are considered one of the leaders and best known hair transplant clinics in London and the UK for natural results and personalised patient care. In 2023, the clinic was crowned Winner of Best Hair Transplant Clinic of the Year, testament to the medical, psychological and surgical care the clinic provides to male, female, repair and trans patients.
All consultations and hair transplant surgeries take place in London and are led by our owners and highly acclaimed hair transplant surgeons, Dr. Roshan Vara and Dr. Dilan Fernando. Our Surgeons personally carry out your hairline transplant with dedicated 1-1 care with no sales people involved.
James’ Hairline Transplant
Type of Surgery : FUE hair transplant
Hair Loss Level :Norwood 3
Number of Grafts : 1194
"I couldn’t have asked for more. Got the exact result I was hoping for and looks so natural that nobody could ever tell I’d had a hair transplant"
Authored by
Dr Roshan Vara
Full Medical Member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) Associate Member of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)
Reviewed by
Dr Dilan Fernando
Royal College of Surgeons
Full Medical Member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) Associate Member of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)
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