Chrissy Teigen had her hairline lowered, but what does the treatment entail?

Although we often associate hair transplants with balding men, the reality is a lot more nuanced. Dr. Bijan Feriduni has been at the head of the Feriduni Hair Clinic in Hasselt since 2000 and has also had many women visit him during that time.
“In terms of consultations, about 30% of my patients are female. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of female patients, partly due to the rise of social media. Not only do they emphasize a ‘perfect’ appearance more than ever, but they also make procedures such as hair transplants known to a wider audience,” says Dr. Feriduni, member of the Hairtransplant Network and the Belgische Vereniging Esthetische Geneeskunde.

In terms of operations, however, that percentage is much lower. Women represent only 10% of Feriduni’s interventions, because hair loss in women cannot always be treated with a hair transplant. In contrast to men, hereditary hair loss in women is often characterized by a diffuse loss in the middle of the head. And because only the top of the crown is susceptible to hair transplants, not every spot on the head is eligible for a transplant.

“In recent years, there has been a large increase in the number of female patients, partly due to the rise of social media. Not only do they place more emphasis than ever on a ‘perfect’ appearance, but they also make interventions such as hair transplants known to a wider audience.”
Dr. Bijan Feriduni, Feriduni Hair Clinic

“I estimate that about one in five women who come to us experience this type of hair loss or suffer from bald spots. In that case, we always start with a thorough analysis. Initially, it is recommended to consult your GP or dermatologist for an extensive blood test to determine whether the cause of the hair loss is hormonal or stress-related. Then we evaluate: are there deficiencies, are there underlying conditions? If so, we can sometimes improve a lot with medication.”

High forehead
However, hairline procedures, such as those performed by Chrissy Teigen, are the most common. “Some women naturally have a high forehead and that effect can increase with age, as the hairline gradually recedes in some people. This can be the result of hormonal fluctuations after menopause, but it can also be caused by certain autoimmune diseases,” says Dr. Feriduni.

Plastic surgeon dr. Alexis Verpaele, member of the Koninklijke Belgische Vereniging voor Plastische Chirurgie, external factors can also affect the hairline. For example, wearing your hair too tightly back for years can cause permanent damage.
For hairline treatments in women, medical treatment is therefore usually started. The first goal is to stabilize hair loss, because hereditary hair loss is a gradual process and if this stabilization does not occur, it is possible that a new hair transplant will be necessary a few years later.
The medical treatment also aims to stimulate hair growth if possible, but this is not possible for all forms of hair loss. Furthermore, vitamins and supplements can improve the condition of the hair, but according to Dr. Feriduni they are not a miracle cure for hair loss. As far as he is concerned, a healthy lifestyle remains the basis for a beautiful head of hair.

Women who experience hair loss for other reasons, such as a facelift, an accident or chemotherapy, can in some cases be helped with a hair transplant. However, every case is different and personal, which is why Dr. Feriduni works in three phases as standard: an online medical consultation form followed by an initial advice, a consultation in the practice and finally a possible treatment.

Lowering optically
Anyone who is bothered by a receding hairline or wants to change the shape of their hairline can consider two different procedures.
“A hair transplant is a possible solution to visually lower the hairline. Just like with men, it is important that the result looks natural. With the FUE method, the doctor takes hair follicles or grafts one by one from the back of the head and then transfers them to the areas to be treated. This is usually done under local anesthesia. Each hair is carefully placed to create a natural result. The procedure takes 7 to 8 hours with a few breaks and patients can go home the same day.”

“Some women naturally have a high forehead and that effect can increase with age, as the hairline gradually recedes in some individuals.”
Dr. Bijan Feriduni, Feriduni Hair Clinic

In the case of a hair transplant, you have to wait a while for the final result. After a few weeks, the transplanted hairs first fall out and three to four months later they start to grow again. The final result is usually visible after twelve months.
The price of a hair transplant depends on how many hairs are needed and can only be determined after a personal consultation. At Feriduni Hair Clinic, the average price of a transplant is between 7,500 and 12,000 euros excluding VAT.

Lower risk
Another option is the so-called SHA-lift (Surgical Hairline Advancement). In this procedure, the surgeon cuts away a piece of skin at the top of the forehead, causing the hairline to be lower. According to Dr. Alexis Verpaele, this procedure is mainly performed on women. The risk that women will subsequently lose hair at the hairline - which (partly) negates the results of the procedure - is statistically much lower.

Although the result of a SHA lift is almost immediately visible and is in principle cheaper (4,000 euros excluding VAT), Dr. Feriduni prefers a hair transplant in many cases.
“Unfortunately, a SHA lift always leaves a fine scar at the hairline. To soften this, it is possible to do a small hair transplant a few months after the lift. In this way, it is possible to soften the hairline and camouflage the scar. However, even with such a double procedure, scar formation remains a risk.”
Because hair takes time to grow, a hair transplant requires a little more patience, but it is the safest option.

Think before you act
Both hair transplantation and SHA lift remain surgical procedures and it is therefore important to inform yourself well in advance as a patient.
“We unfortunately have to perform more and more restorative treatments lately after mistakes by insufficiently trained or even non-medical providers. So do your homework: read experiences on forums, check the background of the doctor, for example via the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and opt for quality. Because what seems cheap at first can end up being much more expensive. A poorly performed procedure can lead to unnatural results or scars – and that is when the real suffering begins,” says Dr. Feriduni.

Dr. Verpaele confirms that it is not always easy to find the right doctor for such procedures.
“Inform yourself as well as possible. Research the training of the doctor in question, analyze the RIZIV number (for plastic surgeons, this ends with .210, ed.) and ask for references. A plastic surgeon, for example, knows the basic principles behind a hairline displacement, but does not have any experience. The right surgeon combines training and experience.”

“Also make sure who exactly will perform the procedure and ask for as many details as possible about the technique. For example, with a hairline lowering, it is very important that the scalp is detached almost to the back of the head, to avoid scarring and a tight feeling as much as possible. Not everyone dares to do that, with poor results as a result.”
Dr. Alexis Verpaele, Plastic surgeon

“The law of 23 May 2013 regulating the qualifications required to perform aesthetic interventions has already created a great deal of clarity in the sector,” concludes Dr. Verpaele. “However, there is still a grey area regarding non-surgical aesthetic physicians, who in some cases perform interventions for which they are not authorised, but we are working hard to also provide a legal framework for that category.”