Discovering that your gender identity does not match the sex you were assigned at birth is undoubtedly one of the most difficult life experiences to deal with.
Aside from the practical problems of aligning your outward appearance with your gender identity, there are often negative issues to deal with, regarding other people’s perception of the changes that you are undergoing.
Finding that you are losing your hair at the same time can make life seem unbearable. Hairstyling is an incredibly important facet of gender expression, so hair loss feels as though it is an insurmountable problem. If this is a problem that you are facing, then take heart, because there are actually plenty of options available to you.
Wigs and toupees
Forget about the unrealistic hair pieces of years gone by, and just look at some of the options available nowadays. Whatever your budget, there is such a wide range of options that you’re guaranteed to find something suitable for your requirements.
Human, animal and synthetic hair can be styled in an astonishing number of ways, so you can have hair that looks completely natural, or choose something a bit more ‘out there’ if you feel so inclined.
Prices range from under £50 to several times that figure for the most complex bespoke hair systems that blend seamlessly with your own hair.
Hair transplants
Healthy hair follicles can be harvested from your own scalp under local anaesthetic, before being carefully transplanted into areas of hair loss. Depending on the amount of scalp which needs to be treated, the surgeon will either use a strip containing follicles from your scalp, or will transplant smaller amounts of follicles.
The procedure usually takes up to eight hours and is completed under local anaesthetic.
Numbness, pain and itching are to be expected in the days following the surgery, along with the loss of the transplanted hairs, but this is perfectly normal. Within several weeks, the new hairs will begin to grow, giving you the head of hair that you have longed for.
Scarring is usually minimal, but if you suffer from keloid scars, it is important to discuss this with your surgeon prior to the transplant process.
Some people suffer from cysts following the procedure, and these usually disappear of their own accord, but any signs of infection should be reported to a medical practitioner, as should bruising or swelling that doesn’t resolve within a few days.
The cost of hair transplants varies according to the number of grafts required. A slightly receding hairline can be treated for around £1000, whereas a full crown could cost anything up to £30,000, so make sure you understand the costs involved before you commence treatment. You should also ensure that you seek treatment from a reputable company, even if it seems a little bit more expensive.
As with so many things in life, with hair transplants you get what you pay for, and an attempt to save money could cost you dearly in the long term.
Some reputable clinics worth considering are:
The Harley Street Hair Clinic – https://www.hshairclinic.co.uk/
Farjo Hair Institute – http://www.farjo.net/
Crown Clinic – http://www.crownclinic.co.uk/
The Belgravia Centre – http://www.belgraviacentre.com/
The Private Clinic – https://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/