Male To Female (MTF) HRT Hair Regrowth

While hair loss can happen to anyone and negatively impact your wellbeing, it can be incredibly challenging to accept as a transgender woman. 

But, the good news is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and many other hair loss treatments may help your hair to regrow.

Learn more about the science behind MTF HRT hair regrowth, why it happens and how a hair transplant with The Treatment Rooms London may help you on your hair journey.

MTF hair regrowth

Androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness, is where you lose your hair in a progressive pattern. It occurs because of a specific androgen in the body, known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Androgens alter the hair’s diameter and affect growth, leading to your hair falling out.

As a trans patient, androgenetic alopecia can be distressing, but several methods make hair regrowth possible.  

Minoxidil and Finasteride are the most common treatments for androgenetic alopecia – and both can cause hair regrowth. Sometimes, a male-to-female (MTF) hair transplant is also necessary, especially if you have significant hair loss. During this type of transplant, we can feminise your hairline by bringing it forward and giving it a softer look. 

However, hair regrowth may also be possible for you as a transgender woman because of taking HRT, which works by reducing the effects your testosterone has on causing hair loss whilst also increasing your oestradiol (oestrogen). 

Does MTF HRT cause hair regrowth?

Yes. HRT can help hair regrowth in transwomen. However, it can take at least six months on HRT to notice significant changes to your hair growth (as it will grow from a short length, close to your scalp), so you might not see a difference immediately. 

But, over time, many transgender women regrow a full, healthy head of hair that boosts their confidence and supports their gender-affirmation journey. 

Why does MTF HRT cause hair regrowth?

Your body naturally creates DHT, a hormone that causes your hair follicles to shrink, making your hair thinner and eventually stopping follicles from producing hair. So, the more testosterone you have in your body, the higher your risk of creating DHT and potential hair loss. 

However, by taking HRT, you may be able to reverse the effects of DHT and start your hair regrowth journey. This is because of the way HRT works in increasing oestradiol levels while reducing testosterone. 

The longer you take HRT, the more your testosterone levels fall in line with those of a cisgender woman – preventing more DHT from forming and potentially kick-starting your hair follicles into producing hair again.

Some transgender women will combine HRT with hair loss treatments like Finasteride to help quicken the process. But it’s important to remember that each person is different, so your hair growth journey on HRT may not be the same as somebody else’s. 
Here at The Treatment Rooms London, we can help if you’re concerned about hair loss, as we offer many hair restoration methods for transgender women.

We’re a leading hair restoration clinic in the UK and are proud to offer MTF hair transplants. Our team’s expertise in hair restoration ensures you receive natural-looking results that support your gender affirmation journey. 

MTF hair transplants at The Treatment Rooms London offer the chance to regrow and feminise your hairline. Our highly experienced surgeons can effectively support your hair regrowth journey and provide dedicated care when you contact us.  
After booking a comprehensive consultation with one of our team members, we will discuss your goals and desired look before offering personalised treatment and care. With our help, you can achieve your hair regrowth dreams.

Minoxidil for MTF hair regrowth

Minoxidil is an excellent non-surgical hair regrowth treatment for transgender women, as it works the same for everyone. 

You usually take Minoxidil in tablet form and doctors typically use larger doses to treat high blood pressure. However, in smaller quantities, Minoxidil can effectively increase the thickness and growth of hair follicles. 

Minoxidil does have some possible side effects, including: 

• Fluid retention (particularly in the ankles or feet)
• A fast heart rate or palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Skin rashes

However, on a low dose of Minoxidil, it’s unlikely that you’ll experience significant side effects. If you do suffer from any of these side effects, it is important to stop them and reach out to your prescribing doctor.

Minoxidil can be an option for effectively restoring your hair if your HRT hasn’t helped your hair to regrow. 

Finasteride for MTF hair regrowth

Finasteride is another hair loss treatment that may be suitable for transgender women if HRT is not providing your desired hair growth results. Finasteride is a tablet that blocks DHT’s production. It blocks it by stopping testosterone from binding with the androgen, helping to prevent and slow hair loss. 

Some transgender women may combine Finasteride with HRT, effectively stopping hair loss and encouraging regrowth. 

Finasteride does have some side effects, including: 

• Decreased libido
• Sore or enlarged breast (gynaecomastia)
• Rashes

However, not everyone develops adverse side effects, and many transgender women find Finasteride is an effective hair loss treatment. 

Hair transplant for MTF hair restoration

Hair transplants effectively restore your hair and help you on your gender-affirming care journey. The Treatment Rooms London’s MTF hair transplant is one of the best in the UK, with our specialist surgeons having a wealth of experience and expertise in trans hair transplant surgery. We work directly with you to provide your desired results. 

Learn more about the possible side effects of a hair transplant.

MTF hair transplants offer long-lasting results. A hair transplant can treat hair loss and recession, from thickening the hair on your crown to filling in your hairline and feminising it. 

Why an MTF hair transplant with Treatment Rooms London?

An MTF hair transplant with the Treatment Rooms London offers the chance to restore and regrow your hair. Our MTF hair transplants can alter your hairline’s appearance and add volume to your current hair. 

We hold thorough consultations to discuss your goals and assess your current hair loss. We’ll also discuss your hair transplant options – we typically recommend an FUT or an FUE (follicular unit excision) hair transplant – and tell you how many grafts we think you’ll need. This approach ensures you receive personalised care and excellent results.  

With our support, you can begin your hair growth journey and feel more confident in your appearance.