HAIR TRANSPLANT
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Hair transplant of the receding hairline

Andreas Krämer Hair4life

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ANDREAS KRÄMER

Hair loss sufferer, consultant since 2004, co-author of the book “Hair Transplantation Guidebook” by Alliance4Hair, founder of Propatient with lawyer Chr. Bomke, co-founder of the HTTC training center for doctors. Known from SWR, SAT 1, ZDF, Spiegel and many others. About Us

Eliminate and fill a receding Hairline With the help of a hair transplant – this is how it works!

The first signs of androgenetic hair loss in men and women are often progressive receding hairlines. The medical term is Calvities frontalis1. It always describes the area above the temples to sometimes quite far towards the top of the head thinning out or even balding. The extent to which an affected person feels uncomfortable depends entirely on the individual case. Some find their advancing corners aesthetically unpleasing and distressing. Read here how to eliminate and fill in inherited high corners with a hair transplant and what the costs are!

Reasons for receding hairline: Androgenetic hair loss

A receding hairline is not uncommon in men and develops gradually in most as they get older, often between the ages of 30 and 40, but it can also affect men as young as 18 and, moreover, women.

The reasons lie in genetics and the classic inherited androgenetic hair loss. In this case, the hair follicles react sensitively to the male subhormone of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which has the consequence that the growth phases gradually shorten, the hair falls out more quickly and becomes thinner and thinner with each new growth phase until it finally falls out.2

Remedies and tinctures for hair loss and receding hairlines

Probably everyone who watches TV commercials, looks on the internet or even enters a pharmacy will have been offered remedies and tinctures for androgenetic hair loss and receding hairline somewhere – the market is richly stocked. Advertising often implies that it can also be used to eliminate and fill receding hairlines.

Without prescription
Minoxidil (Regaine Men, Regaine Women)Androgenetic alopeciapromotes blood circulation and thus stimulates hair growth in cases of hair loss
Alfatradiol (Ell-Cranell Alpha, Pantostin)Androgenetic alopeciaAlfatradiol inhibits the enzyme 5α-reductase and thus inhibits the synthesis of the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from testosterone3 and thus promotes hair growth in hair loss, reduces hormone-induced hair loss
Only with prescription
Finasteride (Propecia)Androgenetic alopeciareduces hormone-related hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men2
Hormone treatmentAndrogenetic alopeciapossibly helpful for congenital hair loss in women by administering antiandrogens2
Remedies and tinctures for androgenetic alopecia and receding hairline

Hair loss remedies tested: According to the german Öko-Test magazine, only seven of 30 tested remedies are good

In 2011, Öko-Test4 shopped in pharmacies and drugstores for a total of 30 remedies targeting the problem of androgenetic hair loss. Only the prescription medication finasteride achieved the grade good 7 times and the active ingredient minoxidil (non-prescription) achieved the grade satisfactory twice. Ell-Cranell Alpha and Pantostin with the active ingredient alfatradiol, which are mentioned in the table, only achieved the grade sufficient.4

However, all of the remedies mentioned can only work if hair is still present. In such cases, the hair can be made thicker and stronger again and the hair loss can be greatly delayed, but this does not usually result in new hair growth. In the treatment of receding hairline, the effectiveness of these medications is therefore often hardly convincing for many of those affected, and the disappointment is great when the corners do not grow back, could not be filled and eliminated by the medications as many had hoped, and then only a hair transplant with receding hairline is an option.


“I have not regretted the step to hair transplantation of the receding hairline and hairline for a second and I am still very satisfied with the result.”

Songwriter/DJ/ J.J. Hansen
More informations about the hair transplant of the receding hairline from J.J. Hansen

Hair transplantation of the receding hairline: Eliminate and fill in the bald patches

If hair loss remedies and medications cannot do anything about bald patches and corners, but those affected find their situation unattractive and stressful and wish to fill and to permanently eliminate the hairline, then ultimately only a hair transplant can help.

To “fill in” the bald areas, an experienced, renowned doctor will take various criteria into consideration: The appropriate choice of the procedure, a hairline that takes care of both the type and the patient’s taste, and also a hair density that can be expected to give a distinctly aesthetic overall impression as a result. It is advisable to rely on professional competence and in-depth experience when choosing to carry out the operation.


Hair transplantation for receding hairline and two examples of results for men

Example 1 of a receding hairline elimination

A hair transplant to eliminate and fill a receding hairline: right corner on the left before and right after the surgery
A hair transplant to eliminate and fill a receding hairline: right corner on the left before and right after the surgery

Thanks to modern techniques and years of experience in the field of hair transplantation, no one has to put up with their bald corners with a heavy heart nowadays, because help is offered by means of a receding hairline hair transplant!

Example 2 of a hair transplant for hereditary receding hairline

1 year result after transplantation of the receding hairline - Dr. Michalis
1 year result after transplantation of the receding hairline – Dr. Michalis

Women’s result example

Example of a women’s corner and hairline fill with 1616 grafts


“For my first hair transplant of the receding hairline, I did not get good advice beforehand. After Hairforlife’s consultation and after the repair hair transplant, I am very satisfied!”

Fitness Couch Alexander
The Testimonial of the receding hairline hair transplantation of alexander Gaier

Hair transplantation receding hairline: methods TO Eliminate and Fill the bald corners

To fill in and eliminate the receding hairline (bald corners) through a hair transplant, there are basically two methods that come into question: FUE single removal and the FUT strip technique. The techniques differ mainly in the method of removal, whereby the FUE technique normally (with the exception of Unshaven FUE) requires shaving in the donor area. See the most important information in the following table (depending on your screen resolution, you can scroll the table to the left and right)

Method comparisonFUT strip techniqueFUE single extraction
Extraction of the grafts/follicular unitsIn this technique, the hair follicles are removed in a strip of skin from the back of the head and prepared for distribution under a microscope. Depending on the size of the skin strip, 2000 to 4000 grafts (or considerably more, depending on the elasticity of the scalp) can be harvested at once. The resulting wound at the back of the head is then surgically closedWith the FUE technique (single extraction) the hair roots are taken individually from the donor area, isolated into grafts with 1-4/5 hair follicles and transplanted into the thinned out areas. Since hair roots are taken one by one, this method requires more time
Duration of the extractionDepending on the number of grafts, 30 minutes to 1 hourDepending on the number of grafts and depending on the clinic and whether the harvesting is done manually or with a micromotor, only a few hours.
For whom is it suitable?People with good elasticity of the scalp and people who like to have hair over 1.2 – 1.5 cm long at the level of the scar in the hairline. Also for people with a great need for donor hair and those who do not like to be shaved in the crown of the hairFor lovers of short haircuts who, for example, like to have their hair 1-3 mm short in the crown
AnaesthesiaLocal anaesthesia always where the work is being doneLocal anaesthesia always where the work is being done
How many grafts are needed for the receding hairline? Both techniques! The exact number of grafts needed to remove the receding hairline is very individual. For small receding hairline, only 700-800 grafts may be needed, for medium sized receding hairline 1200-1500 grafts and for very large receding hairline even 2000-2500 grafts may be needed Both techniques! The exact number of grafts needed to remove a receding hairline is very individual. Small receding hairline may only require 700-800 grafts, medium receding hairline 1200-1500 grafts and very large receding hairline may even require 2000-2500 grafts.
ScarsAfter a strip operation, a linear scar is created. The extent of the scar, the width and thickness of the scar depends on the number of grafts taken, the closure technique, the know-how and experience of the doctor and the elasticity of the scalp, as well as the healing behaviour/scar tendency of the patient. If performed professionally by experienced doctors and if the patient is well prepared, scars of only 1-3 mm can remain, which still allows for quite short haircuts.After an FUE, small, fine, round scars develop which, however, can hardly be seen by the human eye when professionally removed. The size and visibility of the scars is highly dependent on the know-how and experience of the doctor, as well as the type and size of the removal instruments used. Are the grafts removed manually or with a micromotor? If the latter, with a micromotor from which manufacturer and with which punch sizes?
Risk/risks Donor area: Wider scar which makes it necessary to wear the hair in the crown long. Also the risk of prolonged tightness and numbness

Reception area: With both methods poor growth rate unnatural hairline, thick grafts, toilet brush effect, cobblestoning and pitting
Donor area: Decimated hair crown and “overharvesting”, moth-eaten and football field appearance. As a result, this not only brings visual and aesthetic damage, but also ruins the graft reserves in the donor area, with no options for the future.

Recipient area: Poor growth rate with both methods, unnatural hairline, thick grafts, toilet brush effect, cobblestoning and pitting

When is it possible to do sports again after a hair transplant for the receding hairline?After the operation, no sport should be done for at least 14 days and fitness training should ideally be avoided for 2-3 months. The risk increases so that the scar expands and a wider scar developsAfter an FUE, you can start doing some sport, such as light jogging and cycling, after only 10 days
Temporary Shockloss Both techniques! When the density in still hairy areas is to be increased (but can also occur in adjacent areas of 1-3 cm next to it):

When the density in the corners of the receding hairline should be increased, the stress of the surgery, the anaesthetic, etc. can cause existing hair follicles to go dormant, which means that for 3-5 months after the hair transplant you may look slightly worse than before the surgery. Temporary shockloss, however, is only “temporary” and after 3-5 months the situation will gradually improve, when the growth of new hair will also slowly start
Both techniques! When the density in still hairy areas is to be increased (but can also occur in adjacent areas from 1-3 cm next to it):

When the density in the corners of the receding hairline should be increased, the stress of the surgery, the anaesthetic, etc. can cause existing hair follicles to go dormant, which means that for 3-5 months after the hair transplant you may look slightly worse than before the surgery. Temporary shockloss, however, is only “temporary” and after 3-5 months the situation will gradually improve, when the growth of new hair will also slowly start
Permanent Shockloss Both techniques! When the density in still hairy areas is to be increased (but can also occur in adjacent areas of 1-3 cm):

When the density in the corners of the receding hairline should be increased (in still hairy areas), existing hair can fall into the dormant phase due to the stress of the operation, the anaesthetic, etc. This means that 1. for 3-5 months after the operation you look somewhat worse than before the hair transplant (as with temporary shockloss), but 2. in the case of permanent shockloss, however, the hair is so traumatised by the stress of the surgery, the anaesthetic, etc. that it is damaged forever. The risk is all the higher the thinner the existing hair has already become due to hereditary hair loss. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict how sensitive hair that has already become thinner is and whether it will survive the surgery or not.
Both techniques! When the density in still hairy areas is to be increased (but can also occur in neighbouring areas of 1-3 cm):

When the density in the corners of the receding hairline should be increased (in still hairy areas), existing hair can fall into the resting phase due to the stress of the operation, the anaesthetic, etc., which has the consequence that 1. for 3-5 months after the operation, one looks somewhat worse than before the hair transplant (as in the case of temporary shockloss), but 2. in the case of permanent shockloss, however, the hair is so traumatised by the stress of the surgery, the anaesthetic, etc. that it is damaged forever. The risk is all the higher the thinner the existing hair has already become due to hereditary hair loss. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict how sensitive hair that has already become thinner is and whether it will survive the surgery or not.
Is a shave necessary for the hair transplant of the receding hairline?No at the back of the head and no in the area to be transplanted. However, depending on the hair situation, a hair surgeon may recommend shaving in the reception areaThe back of the head is usually yes and the area to be transplanted is usually yes. However, there are now some hair surgeons who at least do without a shave in the recipient area and only shave in the donor area. In the donor area, either a strip shave or a GJ cut can be performed (depending on the number of grafts). In the meantime, there is also an FUE without any shaving, the Unshaven FUE variant without shaving in the receiving area plus no shaving in the harvesting area. However, this method is expensive and is only performed by very few hair surgeons
Hair transplant of receding hairline and social skills Depending on the shave, a 14-day leave of absence is generally recommended. If there is still enough remaining hair and if this is not shortened in the recipient area and thus the cover for the resulting traces in the corners after the operation (redness/crusting) is possible (e.g. by wearing a pony), then it may be possible to go to work again one day after the receding hairline transplantation without anyone being able to recognise a surgical intervention (often possible when transplanting a smaller number of grafts)Depending on the shave, 14 days off is generally recommended. If there is still enough hair left and if it is not shortened and if it is possible to cover the traces in the corners after the operation (redness/crusting) (e.g. by wearing a pony), then it may be possible to go to work for less than a week or it is even possible to go back to work one day after the receding hairline transplantation without anyone being able to recognise a surgical intervention (often possible when transplanting a smaller number of grafts)
Does the health insurance cover the costs of a receding hairline hair transplant?Both techniques! No. Since it is not a medically necessary surgery, you have to bear the costs of the receding hairline transplantation yourself.
Both techniques! No. As it is not a medically necessary surgery, you have to pay for the hair transplant of the receding hairline yourself.
Hair transplant receding hairline methods

How much does a hair transplant cost?

How much does it cost to have the bald spots in the receding hairline removed with a hair transplant?

In the end, the prices depend not only on the respective technique and the respective clinic, but also on the necessary number of grafts, and the number of grafts depends on the following points, among others:

  • What goals have I set for myself?
  • How high/deep should my new hairline be and where exactly do I want to have the hair transplanted?
  • How large is the area that is to receive new hair?
  • What density should be achieved?

The exact number of grafts to be “transplanted” also depends:

  • On the characteristics of the donor hair (crown of hair). This means the density of the “ring of hair”, the diameter of the hair shaft, the colour of the hair (the contrast between the scalp and the hair) and whether the hair is curly, wavy or straight.

Rough estimate of the number of grafts needed TO eliminate and fill receding hair line with hair transplant

Please bear in mind, however, that this scheme only serves as a first rough guide to a preliminary number of grafts for the hair transplant of the receding hairline. For a more detailed assessment and advice from Hairforlife, contact Hairforlife via the contact form and also read the notes here regarding an online hair transplant consultation.

The possible costs for transplanting a Norwood scale II and IIa situation:

Graft estimate for NW II and IIa situations

Possible graft number for the receding hairline hair transplantation in this hair situation: 1500

FUE (FUE & FUI) 3750 Euro – 7500 Euro depending on country and doctor

FUT (strip & FUI) 2250 Euro – 5250 Euro depending on country and doctor

The possible costs for transplanting a Norwood scale III , IIIa and III vertex situation:

Graph estimation for NWIII_ IIIa_III vertex situations

Possible graft number for hair transplant of the receding hairline in this hair situation: 2250 – 3000

FUE (FUE & FUI) 5625 Euro – 15000 Euro depending on country and doctor

FUT (strip & FUI) 4050 Euro – 10.500 Euro depending on country and doctor

Read also here about the prices

Hair restoration surgery for receding hairline and the risks: Example of a failed surgery with repair

Hair transplantation receding hairline and risk unnatural hairline, thick grafts, wrong growth direction and poor growth rate - Hairlineclinic - Dr. Özgür Öztan
Hair transplantation receding hairline and risk unnatural hairline, thick grafts, wrong growth direction and poor growth rate – Hairlineclinic – Dr. Özgür Öztan

The picture above shows a failed result of a receding hairline hair transplantation with poor growth rate, wrong growth direction and thicker grafts and below the result of the repair surgery, achieved by Hairlineclinic

The risks of a hair transplant of the receding hairline are that when the grafts/hairs are transplanted by a doctor who does not specialise in hair transplantation and is inexperienced with hair restoration surgeries, the new hairs are transplanted in the wrong direction of growth, or that thicker grafts, so-called follicular units with 3 and 4 hairs, are transplanted in the front line, which leads to massive unnatural results, or simply only a poor growth rate is achieved.

Hair restoration surgery of the receding hairline with poor growth rate and unnatural hairline: Thick grafts, low density, unnatural design
Hair restoration surgery of the receding hairline with poor growth rate and unnatural hairline: Thick grafts, low density, unnatural design

“Many of the illegal clinics have fancy websites with references and testimonials that look very professional. However, the reality is that the hair transplant may be carried out by someone who has no medical training.”

Read more about the ISHRS.org “Fight The Fight” campaign

Campaign against illegal “black market clinics” World Association for Hair Surgery ISHRS.org


Hair transplantation receding hairline and general questions and answers

Hair transplantation receding hairline time curve: When the grafts start growing
Hair transplantation receding hairline time curve: When the grafts start growing

More examples of successful hair transplantations of the corners

Before and after pictures

Hair transplant receding hairline with 2485 Grafts
2485 grafts Dr. Feriduni
Resultat of a hair transplant from the receding hairline with 1943 Grafts
1943 grafts Dr. Mwamba
Filling of the Receding hairline through a transplant with 2333 Grafts
2333 grafts Hairlineclinic
Receding hairline hair transplant resultant of Dr. Lars Heitmann with 1750 Grafts
1750 grafts Dr. Heitmann
Receding hairline example of Dr. Feriduni with the graft amount from 1401
1401 grafts Dr. Feriduni
Dr. Michalis 1933 Grafts
1933 Grafts Dr. Michalis
Advance hairline and fill corners with 2400 Grafts from Dr. Heitmann
2400 grafts Dr. Heitmann
Corner filling
2500 grafts Hairlineclinic

Result videos

An FUE with 1906 grafts by Dr. Bijan Feriduni:

FUE hair transplantation of the receding hairline with 1200 grafts by Dr. Lars Heitmann:

1800 grafts from the Hairlineclinic in Ankara/Turkey:


Sources/References/Author

1 https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geheimratsecken

2 https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/ausgabe-452015/von-geheimratsecken-bis-zur-glatze/

3 https://www.pharmawiki.ch/wiki/index.php?wiki=Alfatradiol#:~:text=Alfatradiol%20inhibits%20the%20enzyme%205%CE%B1,Alfatradiol%20practically%20has%20no%20%C3%B6strogenic%20effects.

4 https://www.oekotest.de/gesundheit-medikamente/Mittel-gegen-Haarausfall-im-Test-Mehr-als-die-Haelfte-faellt-durch-_96471_1.html

5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2825128/

6 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233738772_Hair_Restoration_Surgery_The_State_of_the_Art

Author

Andreas Krämer/Hairforlife Expert Editorial Team