Framing the face, the hairline creates a transition zone between the hair and the face, marked by finer hairs and a lower follicular density. To avoid the risk of an unsuccessful hair transplant, an expert aesthetic surgeon meticulously works on this frontal hairline. But why is this so important, and how is it done?
How is a natural-looking hairline designed?
One of the key stages of an FUE or DHI hair transplant is sorting the grafts before implantation, based on the number of hairs in each follicular unit (usually 1 to 5). The finest hairs are used to create a natural-looking hairline.
This hairline must match the patient’s features to achieve a personalized and tailored result, where the artistic eye of the aesthetic surgeon is crucial. A common approach is to divide the face into three parts, respecting the main reference points (like the outer corner of the eyes and the glabella) and considering the original hairline placement.
An experienced hair transplant surgeon at Novesthetica will define various zones: the hairline and frontal line, the lateral temple areas, transition zones, and connection zones. Each area requires a unique approach, taking into account factors like age, degree of baldness, and hair texture. It’s essential to avoid grafting directly onto the frontal muscle, except in rare cases, to ensure the hairline remains stable and doesn’t shift with facial expressions.
Hairline differences between men and women
A hair transplant specialist treats the hairline differently in men and women, as each has distinct characteristics.
For men, the frontal hairline typically transitions to a medium position after adolescence, replacing the lower one. Over time, this line gradually moves up (often forming a V or M shape), with male-pattern baldness affecting the frontal areas earlier in some cases, sometimes as early as their twenties.
On the other hand, the female hairline is often rounder or more concave, though occasionally it can take on a V or higher shape. Female-pattern baldness tends to be less frequent than in men and usually appears after menopause, presenting more diffusely. Hair loss in women typically spares the frontal lobes, with thinning mainly occurring at the parting, while the frontal line remains largely intact.
Hair transplants and the frontal hairline: How to choose the best approach?
The DHI technique allows for a natural hair transplant through a minimally invasive procedure. It’s performed under local anesthesia and restores the hair’s original density. However, hair transplants are less effective in areas where hair never existed, as the scalp’s tissue structure differs, and grafts may not take.
In such cases, other techniques might be needed to redraw a natural frontal hairline. For example, forehead reduction surgery can lower the hairline by using a lifting technique to advance the scalp while removing excess forehead skin.
This procedure is usually done under general anesthesia, with a specialized “trichophytic” closure to make the scar nearly invisible.
When considering whether a hair transplant is the best option for correcting a V-shaped hairline, it’s important to assess each case individually. Factors like the causes of hair loss and the patient’s overall facial features will guide the decision, allowing the experts at Novesthetica to guarantee a natural and aesthetically pleasing result.