Dr. Paul Rose, M.D., is one of the Hair Transplant Institute’s foremost hair transplant surgeons. Dr. Rose has more than 20 years of experience and is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the ISHRS Golden Follicle Award in 2008 and the Society of Hair Restoration Michelangelo Award in 2002. When it comes to hair restoration procedures, Dr. Rose believes that striving to mimic nature is the most effective way to generate authentic results. Surgeons at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami use this approach to perform procedures that naturally reconstruct hair to a thicker, fuller, and more youthful state. Procedures at HTI Miami deliver exceptional results to patients with frontal alopecia and other forms of pattern baldness as well, focusing on the restoration of the 5 key characteristics of a natural looking hairline:
- Hairline Undulation
- Irregular Irregularity
- Variable Thickness
- Graduation of Density
- Random Dispersion of “Island Hairs”
The Secret to Creating a Natural Looking Hairline
1. Hairline Undulation
*“The hairline in men without frontal alopecia has an undulating contour. […]The pattern is similar to the geographic border of a land mass. To achieve a natural-appearing hairline, we should try to duplicate this formation.”
The first key to constructing a natural looking hairline is to ensure the hairline itself is undulating. This means that the hairline gently flows inward and outward along a curved shape that extends across the forehead. Despite undulating, individual hairs diverge from the hairline by only a few millimeters in either direction. This creates the perception of randomly occurring indentations and projections along the hairline, which is a telltale characteristic of natural hair growth.
2. Irregular Irregularity
*“Although there may be an appearance of overall uniformity at a superficial glance, there is in fact randomness [in the distribution of individual hairs.]
Along with undulation, the creation of a natural looking hairline requires irregular irregularity among the hairs themselves. When observing a natural head of hair, the hairline appears at first glance to be even and uniform. However, take a closer look and you will find that the hairs along the hairline and scalp are indeed random. Natural hair growth does not create a series of evenly spaced hair. Rather, hairs grow at a variable distance from one another. Hairs also grow in groups of 1, 2, or 3, and such groups are likewise random formations. To produce the most natural looking results, the hairline must be reconstructed with individual hairs that are both spaced and grouped at random.
3. Variable Thickness
*“At the hairline there are hairs of varying thickness.”
In addition to implementing techniques of undulation and irregular irregularity, the hairline must also be reconstructed using hairs of variable thickness. Coarse, thick hairs may be used in the center area, however the hairs of the anterior and temporal regions must be fine. Correctly varying hair density will recreate the natural texture of the hairline. However, failing to do so may create subtle aesthetic aberrations that are distinctly noticeable by the naked eye.
4. Graduation of Density
*“The appearance of density actually appears behind the first rows of hairs.”
Graduation of density is a measure of the rate at which hair becomes denser as it gets farther from the forehead. As Dr. Rose states, the density that we perceive actually exists behind the very first rows of hair. Initial rows of hair contain individual hairs that are spaced far from one another and look thin compared to each subsequent row. As one moves across the scalp towards the posterior, individual hairs begin to grow closer to one another and density gradually increases. Recreating this subtle and gradual increase in density is a critical in achieving a natural looking hairline that appears to be “in sync” with the rest of the scalp.
5. Random Dispersion of “Island Hairs”
“Island hairs” are individual units of hair that are randomly scattered in ways often unrelated to the hairline. Sometimes, island hairs are simply remnants of where the hairline used to exist. In any case, island hairs are the final touch to reconstructing a precise and authentic front hairline. These hairs are sparsely scattered along the new hairline to contribute to the appearance of the natural hair growth.
Overcoming Frontal Alopecia (Hair Loss)
Androgenic alopecia, also known as pattern baldness, is the leading cause of hair loss among men and women. The term frontal alopecia simply refers to hair loss that occurs across the front portion of the hair, or hairline. Hair loss is a common occurrence in both men and women in the U.S.; about 2 in 3 men experience some form of hair loss by age 50 while about 20 million women experience symptoms of thinning hair over their lifetime.
If you are experiencing hair loss, you are not alone.
We understand that hair loss may have a profoundly negative impact on social and professional life. Our Institute is committed to making a difference in the lives and well-being of our patients through effective procedures that produce beautiful, natural, and lasting results. Schedule your hair loss evaluation to learn more about diagnosis and available treatment options. You may also call directly at 1.877.443.9070.
*Rose, Paul M.D. “Considerations in Establishing a Natural Hairline.” International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery 1 Nov. 19998: 24-26. Web.