Why Create an Irregular Hairline During Hair Transplant Surgery?

This question, from a member of our [tag]hair loss[/tag] social community and discussion forums, was answered by Coalition [tag]hair transplant[/tag] surgeons Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Glenn Charles:

During a recent hair transplantation consult, the physician told me that he will create an “irregular hairline” during my [tag]hair restoration[/tag] procedure. However, I’m wondering why he would chose to do that? Wouldn’t a straight hairline look better? Why create an [tag]irregular hairline[/tag] during [tag]hair transplant surgery[/tag]?

The goal of any hair transplant procedure is creating natural, realistic results. A very important aspect of achieving subtle, realistic results is recreating a natural hairline. Though many individuals assume that hairlines unaffected by hair loss are straight and regularly shaped, this is not the case. In fact, in order to create a realistic hairline, hair restoration surgeons must utilize an irregular, “zig zag” design.

In fact, according to Dr. Glenn Charles:

The term we often use to describe the hairline approach is creating a “regular irregularity.” Meaning there has to be a certain degree of randomness to give a natural appearance. However, there also has to be some method to the madness. You could also call this “Zig Zag” hairline design.

Dr. Ron Shapiro agrees, and said the following:

There are many individual characteristics of a normal hairline that work together to create a natural, undetectable look. Close observation of a natural hairline reveals that it initially appears soft and ill-defined but gradually take on more definition and substance as it moves posterior. The true fullness of a hairline begins slightly behind the most anterior boarder. In addition, the anterior border should be irregular and wavy. Creating too abrupt or straight of a hairline does not look natural and is a common mistake made by beginning transplant surgeons.

To create a natural hairline, the following must be taken into consideration: all hairlines have variable high, alternating with low, density spots along the anterior boarder of the hairline. This is called micro-irregularity. All hairlines have an undulating non-linear anterior boarder. This is called macro-irregularity. A straight line is abnormal and looks unnatural. All hairlines start soft and build density gradually over a few millimeters to a centimeter. A hairline that looks like a harsh wall is unnatural.

Clearly, this non-linear, irregular, “zig zag” pattern to the frontal hairline is necessary for creating natural results. Altogether, this is why physicians create an irregular hairline during hair transplant surgery.

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning

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