Frequently asked questions
Table of contents:
Facial feminization surgery
What does this procedure cost?
You can find estimated prices here, after your consultation you will be informed of the exact prices of your operation. Prices are average and may vary depending on the exact treatment.
There are 3 options to receive a financial and operative proposal. You can either send us pictures and receive a quote and an FFS simulation, or you can book a Skype or a live consultation with Dr Bart van de Ven during which you will also receive a quote and FFS simulation. Click here if you want to get a general idea of FFS prices.
How would the clinic deal with an emergency if serious complications were to arise during the procedure?
If a patient needs hospitalization we would transfer her to the Middelheim hospital which is located 8 minutes or 3,5 km away from our clinic. This occurred merely 2 times in more than 2000 surgeries. We should always try to make your health insurance pay for this as most likely it is due to a pre-existing physical disorder. But don’t worry, there will never be the risk of extra costs for you. We will pay the hospital bill if there is no other way. Such complications are so rare that we can make this promise.
When can I judge the final result?
After three weeks you will look presentable, but it takes at least 4 months to get a good impression of the final result. Sometimes after chin and jaw work it can take up to a year for the swelling to completely disappear. Scars take about a year to fully mature. So it might take up to a year (or longer) before you will be able to see the actual final result.
What type of care is needed after the treatment? Will I require check-ups in my own country?
All care is provided at our clinic. In general, no extra care is needed in your home country. A check-up with Dr Bart will take place after 4 months, and can be held in any city where Dr Bart van de Ven provides consultations.
What happens if there are complications after the procedure and is this covered?
We will correct the complication if surgically possible, without charging any surgical fees. Hospital, material and traveling costs are for the expense of the patient.
How long is the waiting time to book an operation?
The average waiting time for an operation at the moment is 3 months. For big surgeries, it can be up to six months, for small surgeries, you might be looking at less than a month. You can check availability through your personal account. You will get access to your personal account after you've received your surgery proposal.
Is FFS painful?
There is no univocal answer to this. It depends entirely on the pain threshold of the patient, and the procedures that were performed. Most people report being uncomfortable rather than being in pain. You can find an extensive reply to this question right here.
Can I lose feeling (numbness) permanently in some areas following FFS surgery?
Some temporary numbness in any of the areas where bone work is done is an absolute certainty. That could include the scalp, forehead, chin, jaw or even cheek areas depending on where the surgery has been done. This happens because the soft tissue is detached from the bony area. Several thousand minor nerves are severed, and it will obviously take some while for those areas to heal. Up to 18 months of recovery time is not unusual, but it usually takes less time. You may not regain the same level of feeling as before.
I am interested in a surgery, in which country do you perform FFS and BFS?
Dr Bart van de Ven (FFS) travels to different European cities for consultations twice a month, but surgery is only performed in Antwerp, Belgium. Dr Maarten Doornaert (BFS) will occasionally also travel for consultations, but also only performs surgery in Antwerp.
How long do you need to stay in the hospital after an FFS?
When you’ve had an FFS you will most likely stay at our guesthouse for a week to recover. You arrive one day before your surgery, and then stay for seven more days. So if you’d arrive on Monday, you would be leaving again on Monday.
What if there are post-op complications?
It doesn’t happen often, but should there be a complication during your stay, you can notify Petra (our permanent resident) or one of the night nurses and they will get in contact with the surgeon in case they can’t help you themselves. There will always be someone by your side. When you leave our clinic, you will receive the phone number of the surgeon himself in case a complication were to arise later on.
Do the pictures sent for the online FFS quote/simulation have to be taken with a professional camera?
If you have a professional camera, definitely use it. The better the quality, the better the simulation can be. If you don’t own a professional camera, don’t worry. Just make sure you don’t take the pictures like you would take selfies. Prop up your camera against something, use a tripod, or even better: have someone else help you take your pictures.
How long will it take for the sensation in my face to return back to “normal”? What can be done to help?
Facial stiffness and a lack of sensitivity are both common factors after a Facial Feminization Surgery. Recovery time is different from patient to patient, but it can be expected that one will recover to “normal” parameters within six months to two years.
Is it safe to perform an MRI after FFS?
Yes, we use very small titanium screws and plates which are never a problem for an MRI. Also the bone cement does not contain metal.
I’m a bit overweight. What is the maximum BMI for elective surgery?
In principle, the maximum BMI is 30. If your BMI is between 30 and 35 but you are in good health, your case is considered on an individual basis by our anesthesiologist. You will be asked to fill out the anesthesiology form in your personal account and we will also need a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET). If your BMI is higher then 35 we don’t operate.
I only speak English. Will they understand me in Belgium?
In Belgium as good as everyone can speak English. Hence our entire staff speaks English (and Dutch, French, German,...) as well, so you will always be able to communicate whatever you feel or need!
Can I get this surgery if I’m a cis woman?
Yes, of course. We perform Facial Feminization Surgery on all women. Every woman is welcome at our clinic!
When should I stop my HRT treatment?
For FFS
You can continue your HRT treatment before, during and after your FFS. We prefer you to continue taking your hormones because FFS is emotionally already perturbing enough without messing with your hormone balance.
For BFS
Only for implant surgery of the buttock and hips we ask to stop one week before the surgery. The day after surgery you can continue your HRT treatment. This because this type of surgery implies some immobilisation (obliged) after the surgery. In this case the risk for blood clots is higher.
Which language does the FFS surgeon speak?
Dr Bart van de Ven speaks Dutch, English and German!
Can I get in contact with one of your former patients?
Yes, you can! Nearly each before-and-after page mentions the e-mail address of the patient. Feel free to contact them and ask anything you want to know!
Should I wait with FFS until I have taken hormones long enough?
The hormones will have their effect on the soft tissues of your face: the fat will redistribute and the muscles will atrophy a bit. The hair on the scalp will become denser and thicker (but facial hair won't diminish). All this will make your face look softer and more feminine. Dr van de Ven will try to make your face as feminine as possible and there is no negative effect to your face becoming even more feminine after your FFS due to the hormones. Those last changes will be very subtle. Therefore Dr van de Ven does not see a reason to postpone FFS if you have only started taking hormones recently.
Sometimes I get asked to model for a photoshoot. How long should I wait to book one after my FFS?
That is a very difficult one. It depends very much upon your healing and we can’t give you any guarantee about how long it takes before you look good enough for a photoshoot. It could be 4 months, but it could also be a year. Of course, it also depends on the amount of work that has been done, but everyone heals very differently. There is no way to predict how fast you will recover.
When can I have a sauna again after my FFS?
You will have to wait for 4 weeks, then you are free to have a sauna!
How long does it take for the final result to be visible and the bruises to disappear completely?
Recovery looks different for every patient, but bruising usually disappears after two to four weeks. The final result can be visible after a few months, but it may also take longer than a year. All information on recovering from FFS can be found on our recovery page.
Can I combine facial surgery and breast surgery?
Breast and facial surgery can be combined in the same week, not on the same day. . In that case, the operation of Dr van de Ven should take place on Thursday, the breast augmentation on Tuesday. Be aware you should be in Antwerp for the preoperative consultation on Monday around noon in this case.
Can I combine hip recontouring with facial surgery?
Unfortunately, that’s not possible.
Do I need to remove facial hair when coming to my FFS consultation?
Yes, it is highly recommended to remove all facial hair on the day of the consultation (shaving). Dr Bart van de Ven will take pictures of your face so he can make a simulation of what your face could look like after Facial Feminization Surgery. This isn’t possible when there is facial hair.
Hairline lowering surgery
What does this procedure cost?
You can find estimated prices here, after your consultation you will be informed of the exact prices of your operation. Prices are average and may vary depending on the exact treatment.
There are 3 options to receive a financial and operative proposal. You can either send us pictures and receive a quote and an FFS simulation, or you can book a Skype or a live consultation with Dr Bart van de Ven during which you will also receive a quote and FFS simulation. Click here if you want to get a general idea of FFS prices.
What happens if there are complications after the procedure and is this covered?
We will correct the complication if surgically possible, without charging any surgical fees. Hospital, material and traveling costs are for the expense of the patient.
Can I lose feeling (numbness) permanently in some areas following FFS surgery?
Some temporary numbness in any of the areas where bone work is done is an absolute certainty. That could include the scalp, forehead, chin, jaw or even cheek areas depending on where the surgery has been done. This happens because the soft tissue is detached from the bony area. Several thousand minor nerves are severed, and it will obviously take some while for those areas to heal. Up to 18 months of recovery time is not unusual, but it usually takes less time. You may not regain the same level of feeling as before.
Can I get this surgery if I’m a cis woman?
Yes, of course. We perform Facial Feminization Surgery on all women. Every woman is welcome at our clinic!
What are the chances that I will experience hair loss after the operation?
Many patients experience temporary hair loss. The hair loss just behind the hairline is caused by a reduced blood supply. The reduced blood supply is caused by the incision itself which cuts off the blood supply from the front and by the tension caused by the hairline lowering. The hair loss is at its maximum after about 1 month. Sprouting of blood vessels across the scar will create a new blood supply from the front and as tissues relax the tension will go down. This will ultimately result in a regrowth of the hair. To what extent and how long it will take varies per patient but in general most of the lost hair will be back after 6 months. If you want to do something about it you could use some Minoxidil lotion. You can start Minoxidil after proper healing of the incision wounds, three to four weeks after surgery.
How soon after hair restoration (crown/hairline) can chemical hair color be applied/can I dye my hair again?
You can dye your hair again after 2 months. Before you can start dying your hair again, the incision should have healed 100%.
Is it possible to have hair replacement done at the same time as the procedure to give a female hairline?
If you only get a hairline lowering it basically is possible to get a hair transplantation at the same time.
How long does it take until the sutures in my hairline dissolve?
The white skin sutures dissolve in 1 or 2 weeks. If they would still be in the skin after 2 weeks they will easily break when you pull with your fingers.
When can I start dying my hair again?
Before you can start dying your hair again after a forehead recontouring, the incision should have healed 100%. If the incision was made a few cm inside the hair (no hairline lowering), this will take about 6 to 8 weeks. In case you had a hairline lowering this might take longer (up to 4 months).
How long does it take for the final result to be visible and the bruises to disappear completely?
Recovery looks different for every patient, but bruising usually disappears after two to four weeks. The final result can be visible after a few months, but it may also take longer than a year. All information on recovering from FFS can be found on our recovery page.
When can I start using Minoxidil on my hair after forehead reduction or hairline lowering?
You can start Minoxidil after proper healing of the incision wounds, three to four weeks after surgery.
After a hairline lowering and brow lift I now have bumps along my hairline which are irritating, do these settle down?
Those bumps are the Endotines that have been placed just inside the hair to prevent the hairline from pulling back. They will dissolve in about a year, sometimes even a bit more.
How long does it take for the endotines to disappear?
According to the manufacturer it takes about 3-6 months for the endotines to absorb. According to our experience it takes about 6-18 months before the endotines dissolve completely.
When can I wash my hair?
Almost immediately. Don’t be alarmed if the wound bleeds a little bit while washing your hair. For wound healing it’s very good to remove all excessive blood clots and crusts, even better when you use shampoo. Just remember to blow-dry thoroughly and dab with a drying antiseptic, like alcohol, afterwards to eliminate any remaining moisture.
Is it common to have complications during the expansion?
Complications during expansion have become very rare since we place the expander on the back of the head. Leakage of the expander or a serious infection have never occurred.
Is the expansion very painful or disfiguring?
Thanks to a new technique developed by Dr van de Ven the expander can be placed on the back of your head. With the new technique, patients are complaining less of pain during the expansion anymore and it has become much easier to hide the expander.
What are the complications after having hairline lowering surgery?
General hair thinning—This complication has been reported by 1% of patients
Scar—Sometimes the tension on the incision is so big, a visible scar develops. In that case, a scar revision surgery has to be performed.
Diminished scalp sensation—It is possible the scalp sensation is diminished permanently. The patients who mention this don’t experience this as a problem.
Infection (e.g. S. Aureus)—As with any surgery, infection can occur. We advise you to: 1. use Floxapen 500mg (flucloxacillin) 4 times a day during 14 days; 2. use Fucidin ointment for 14 days; 3. clean the wound twice a day with chlorhexidine in water; 4. use Flaminal or Flammazine ointment on the wound twice a day; 5. to send an evaluation of the treatment after 10 days by sending pictures to Dr. van de Ven.
Am I a suitable candidate for PRP treatment?
Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible for this treatment. We do not recommend PRP treatment if you: suffer from an active scalp infection such as eczema or shingles | are diabetic | suffer from a coagulation disorder | take blood thinners. Not sure if you are eligible? Feel free to discuss it with our doctor.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of PRP treatment?
On the positive side, your own blood is used, so the risk of infections or allergic reactions is very low. Moreover, it is a non-surgical treatment that is safe and has positive results. Recovery is also very quick.
A disadvantage of the treatment is that not everyone can have it, that it does not work equally well with everyone and that the number of treatments needed varies greatly from person to person.
Body feminization surgery
How would the clinic deal with an emergency if serious complications were to arise during the procedure?
If a patient needs hospitalization we would transfer her to the Middelheim hospital which is located 8 minutes or 3,5 km away from our clinic. This occurred merely 2 times in more than 2000 surgeries. We should always try to make your health insurance pay for this as most likely it is due to a pre-existing physical disorder. But don’t worry, there will never be the risk of extra costs for you. We will pay the hospital bill if there is no other way. Such complications are so rare that we can make this promise.
What type of care is needed after the treatment? Will I require check-ups in my own country?
All care is provided at our clinic. In general, no extra care is needed in your home country. A check-up with Dr Bart will take place after 4 months, and can be held in any city where Dr Bart van de Ven provides consultations.
I am interested in a surgery, in which country do you perform FFS and BFS?
Dr Bart van de Ven (FFS) travels to different European cities for consultations twice a month, but surgery is only performed in Antwerp, Belgium. Dr Maarten Doornaert (BFS) will occasionally also travel for consultations, but also only performs surgery in Antwerp.
What if there are post-op complications?
It doesn’t happen often, but should there be a complication during your stay, you can notify Petra (our permanent resident) or one of the night nurses and they will get in contact with the surgeon in case they can’t help you themselves. There will always be someone by your side. When you leave our clinic, you will receive the phone number of the surgeon himself in case a complication were to arise later on.
Can I get this surgery if I’m a cis woman?
Yes, of course. We perform Facial Feminization Surgery on all women. Every woman is welcome at our clinic!
When should I stop my HRT treatment?
For FFS
You can continue your HRT treatment before, during and after your FFS. We prefer you to continue taking your hormones because FFS is emotionally already perturbing enough without messing with your hormone balance.
For BFS
Only for implant surgery of the buttock and hips we ask to stop one week before the surgery. The day after surgery you can continue your HRT treatment. This because this type of surgery implies some immobilisation (obliged) after the surgery. In this case the risk for blood clots is higher.
What is the price of body feminization surgery?
Click on the link for the price of body feminization surgery.
How long should I wait when I am on HRT before I get a breast augmentation?
Body Feminization surgeon Dr Maarten Doornaert would recommend waiting about 16 months.
Appointment
Which language does the FFS surgeon speak?
Dr Bart van de Ven speaks Dutch, English and German!
Would it be ok to arrive at my consultation in male mode?
That is absolutely no problem.
Do I need to remove facial hair when coming to my FFS consultation?
Yes, it is highly recommended to remove all facial hair on the day of the consultation (shaving). Dr Bart van de Ven will take pictures of your face so he can make a simulation of what your face could look like after Facial Feminization Surgery. This isn’t possible when there is facial hair.
Can I wear make-up during the consultation?
It is no problem to come with light make-up to the consultation. Try not to make it too heavy so Dr Bart van de Ven can make a good assessment of your natural facial features.
Do I need a Paypal account to be able to pay with Paypal?
You don’t need a Paypal account to be able to pay with Paypal. Just click on the bottom link below the Paypal window saying “Pay with Debit or Credit Card” (see screenshot below).
More than 2 years ago I received a proposal from you which has now expired. Do you want me to send new pictures?
As we try to improve our techniques all the time we would like to make a new proposal. Ideally, this is done during a consultation in person. If this is not possible, please send your pictures as explained here, preferably without make-up.
Will it be possible to make a professional proposal based on pictures of the face only?
We prefer a face to face consultation if reasonably possible. Being able to touch the face is better to properly analyze it. In most cases though, good pictures will give the doctor enough information to make a professional proposal. If necessary, the proposal can be slightly adjusted the day before surgery during the preoperative consultation.
If I pay for a proposal based on pictures do I have to pay for a first consultation as well?
Yes, the consultation fee has to be paid too.
What payment methods can I use?
When booking a consultation, surgery etc., you can pay via the following payment methods. Our payment methods are integrated and secured via the payment processor Mollie.
Credit card (e.g. MasterCard / Visa / American Express) | PayPal | iDEAL | Bancontact - Payconiq | KBC - CBC Payment Button | Belfius Pay Button | ING Home’Pay
Where is 2pass Clinic situated?
We are situated in Antwerp, Belgium! You can easily reach us by plane, train, bus,… you name it!
Why do I need to use the same name and email address throughout my transition?
To avoid misunderstandings in administration and communication, we ask you to use the same name and email address throughout your transition journey. This may be your female name you have chosen or your current name if you have not decided yet or wish to keep your current name.
Why do I have to pay the full amount within 10 days when booking a surgery?
Our policy towards payment has changed due to some patients cancelling their surgeries because they have not been able to get the financial resources in time against their expectations. It is understandable that this can cause a lot of stress, especially when patients realise they won´t be refunded in full (see our cancellation policy). On our end, it means extra paperwork, rescheduling staff and unexpected empty time slots in the operating agenda.
Therefore, a new payment policy has been adopted: payments should be done in full within 10 days after the surgery date has been chosen.
We understand this means surgeries might take place at a later date, but it also gives you extra time to reflect on what you really want, to inform yourself, to check finances or travelling plans etc.
Guesthouse
Can my partner, friend, family member sleep in the hospital with me?
We have two double rooms in the clinic. The extra charge for a double room is 60 euro a night extra.
Is the mentioned WiFi included in the charge for the room?
Yes it is.
Where is 2pass Clinic situated?
We are situated in Antwerp, Belgium! You can easily reach us by plane, train, bus,… you name it!
Is there a hair dryer in the guesthouse?
Yes, every room has a hair dryer.
How often are the towels changed?
Three times a week the towels in the guesthouse are renewed (Monday-Wednesday-Friday). If you want, during weekdays, you can also use a sign on your desk with the request for towel change.
For the intensive electrolysis program: is the stay included in the price?
No, in that price the overnight stay is not included. You can book your stay separately.
Electrolysis
For the intensive electrolysis program: is the stay included in the price?
No, in that price the overnight stay is not included. You can book your stay separately.
Do you also remove hair from the genital zone before the sex reassignment surgery?
Yes we do, we strongly advise electrolysis before the operation because laser is not always permanent, and after the operation you won’t get a second chance to remove the hair. Read all about genital hair clearing.
Is electrolysis hair removal painful?
The short answer almost no electrologist dares to give you is: yes it is. Some people can bear it, others barely. The longer version: Everyone has their own tolerance to pain. Descriptions of the discomfort vary from “no worse than a mosquito bite,” to “like having a rubber band snapped against my bare skin hard.” Electrolysis can give a stinging and pricking sensation, and each hair has to go through it. The degree of it is also relative to the area of treatment. Certain spots, such as the upper lip, are known to be more sensitive than spots like the brows. But! Luckily we provide local anesthetics, with which you will barely feel any pain at all! More information about local anesthetics!
Can I shave my hair in between electrolysis hair removal sessions?
Yes, one of the common misconceptions about electrolysis is that you have to let the hair grow in-between sessions. In fact, you can treat the hair as you would usually, even shaving the legs or face. The hair doesn’t have to be any longer than 1-2 mm for electrolysis to be effective. Longer hair is even contra-productive because it makes insertions more difficult. It is important you stop shaving 3 days prior to your electrolysis session. We should emphasise that in contrast to popular belief, shaving off the hair will not thicken it, coarsen it or make it grow more rapidly.
How many hours of electrolysis will I need to clear an area?
This is probably the most frequently asked question, and one we can unfortunately not answer with certainty. There are many factors influencing the number of sessions needed to clear an area, some of which are still unknown to us. To fully clear your facial hair permanently it can take anything from 8 months up to 2 years in some cases. The number of sessions needed varies from 8 to 15 sessions. The number of hours needed varies from 90 to 300 hours.
Should I be on hormones to start electrolysis?
No. Beard growth is driven by a genetic response of the hair follicles to the hormone called ‘androgen’. This response of the hair follicles is genetic, and sadly we cannot yet change the genetics of your hair. From our experience, unless the masculinization process is put to a halt early in puberty, or the individual naturally has sparse beard growth, extensive facial electrolysis is usually necessary for trans women.
Is electrolysis better than laser hair removal?
Laser is less effective than electrolysis because it targets the pigment of the hair that is only found in the Bulb, not the Bulge where the growth cells are. The damage to the hair is considerable enough that it will slow the growth cycle for a couple of months before reappearing. The other advantage of electrolysis is that it is suitable for pretty much all skin tones and hair colors, unlike laser hair removal. Laser first? The simple rule is: Do laser first if you have dark hair and light skin. If you have dark skin or light hair, skip laser and do electrolysis from the start. More info on the difference between laser and electrolysis hair removal.
Is electrolysis hair removal really permanent?
Yes. Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method that is recognized and approved as such by the FDA (The US Food and Drug Administration). The FDA is an agency of the US government that regulates a broad range of consumer products, services, and drugs in order to ensure not only the efficacy of the product but also the safety of the consumer.
Can I choose my electrologist?
For administrative reasons we do not give each patient the same electrologist each visit, although we try to meet the patient’s preference. The rotating of electrologists discourages personal dependence and more easily facilitates the exchange of skills, which maintains high standards.
Can I do Electrolysis at your clinic while recovering from the surgery?
Yes, you can. We suggest you book 1 day of electrolysis a few days after the surgery through our website. If you have a choice though it is probably a more comfortable option to book the electrolysis a few days before your surgery.
I have some discoloration on my face after electrolysis, is this normal? Will it go away?
Hyperpigmentation can occur after electrolysis. The inflammation caused by the electrolysis destruction can sometimes stimulate melanocytes (pigment cells in the skin) to produce pigment. This reaction is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. When this happens in electrology, tiny dark patches or dots appear 2 to 6 weeks after treatment where each hair was epilated. These marks may persist for 4 to 6 months, but disappear as the skin recuperates. This reaction can develop on any patient. However, this reaction is most common in darker-skinned patients. It rarely occurs in lighter-skinned patients. Sunlight seems to encourage this reaction. Therefore we advise our patients to protect against the sun for 2 to 3 weeks after treatment. In very rare instances, inflammation from electrolysis arrests the pigment production of the pigment cells and causes white spots or hypo-pigmentation. In all such cases, the melanocytes recuperate and the skin fully returns to normal; usually within several months.
I suffer from psoriasis, can I still get electrolysis?
On active psoriasis, zone electrolysis is contra-indicated.
I suffer from PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), can I still get electrolysis?
It is not a contra-indication, but in some people it doesn’t really help because too much new hair is recruited. You can read about the details of electrolysis on people with hirsutism/PCOS.
Why can I not cancel my session less than two weeks in advance and get a refund like in a hotel?
We understand your concern. If you cancel 3 days of an intensive program less than two weeks before, we will not find another patient to replace you because people need to plan these types of things in advance (take time off from work, etc). So these 3 days we will have to pay our electrologist, but she will have no client to treat. It is simply a different cost and income model than in a hotel. A hotel needs approximately the same staff if there are a few people less or more. In contrast to hotels, we don’t have 300 rooms but just a few electrologists that are fully booked most of the time. It is actually the same policy we use as with our operations (but there the cancel time is less than one month instead of two weeks). We hope you understand our policy.
Does tweezing/waxing the area where electrolysis is performed on, stimulate hairgrowth?
No, absolutely not! It actually takes longer for the hair to grow back as it is damaged. This will make the total treatment time longer as they take longer to reappear, before which they can't be removed via electrolysis.
Can a No shave FUE be performed the day before or after intensive electrolysis?
This is perfectly possible. You should look op availability in the calendar of electrolysis and hair transplant to find a good match.
Hair transplant
Hair transplant before or after FFS?
We advise having your hair transplants after your FFS. There's a couple of reasons for that. The first is that the incision on your scalp disrupts the blood flow and can cause you to lose hair around the incision. Usually, it's temporary but sometimes it's not. Future transplants can cover this area. The other reason is that the hair transplant can be used to hide any scar tissue.
Is it necessary to shave my hair before hair transplant?
You can choose. We use both the Shave FUE method (= Follicle Unit Extraction with shaving) and the No-shave FUE method (= Follicle Unit Extraction without shaving). It is also called "unshaven FUE", "non-shaven FUE", "U-FUE (or Undetectable FUE)" or long hair FUE. This entails transplanting long hairs. This way no one knows that you have had a transplant. Of course, the No-shave FUE method is more time-consuming and more cumbersome to harvest and implant. Therefore, the price per graft is also higher. We can only implant a maximum of 1500 hairs using the FUE method without shaving.
Will my hair regrow if I start using hormones?
There is a reversal of male pattern baldness in transgender women starting with hormone treatment to a degree dependent on age and likely other factors. Hormone therapy for male-to-female transgender patients with estrogen and spironolactone can not only reduce male-pattern hair distribution but can also reverse previous effects of androgen on scalp hair patterns.
The mechanism responsible for achieving hair regrowth in transgender women is the suppression of testosterone to normal female levels.
Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, is a process by which hair loss from the scalp occurs in a progressive, predictable pattern. Recent research has proposed that it is a result of the presence of sufficient androgen in a person with genetic predisposition. Without therapeutic intervention, hair loss will become more severe over time.
Will the long hair fall out after the hair transplant or stay the same length?
We cut the long hair before reimplanting it. This hair also falls out after 2 weeks. It will start to regrow 3 to 6 months after hair the transplant.
How long does it take for you to be able to dye the hair after surgery?
About 2 months after the hair transplant surgery you can dye your hair again.
What would be recovery time for this?
After the operation:
The hair is NOT washed or styled. The hair is still loose so it would just fall out. The skin needs time to grow back together again. You will be given a bandage that must remain in place for at least 1 day. You could go back to work, but we recommend taking a week off to fully recover.After 2 days:
You'll have to stop by at our clinic for the first washing. The bandage will be removed cqarefully and your hair and scalp will be washed with with water and a mild shampoo. Avoid powerful shower jets but let the water drip gently over your head. Pat dry gently (do not rub). In this stage, slight swelling and scabs will form.After about 2 weeks:
The newly transplanted hair will fall out - this is normal.After about 3 weeks:
The follwoing activities can be picked up again: exercising and sports, sunbathing, visiting saunasAfter about 2 months:
The hair can be dyed again.After about 3 months:
The new hair will start to grow until about 12 months after your hair transplant. And of course, if you have long hair, the new hair will take a while to catch up.How long do you recommend I leave between ffs surgery and a hair transplant?
We advise waiting 6 months after your FFS to have hair transplants.
I'm a cis-gender women, can I also have a no-shave hair transplant or is it only for trans women?
Cis-gender women are more than welcome as well:)
Can a No shave FUE be performed the day before or after intensive electrolysis?
This is perfectly possible. You should look op availability in the calendar of electrolysis and hair transplant to find a good match.
What is a PRP treatment for hair loss?
Hair thinning or hair loss is caused by poor blood circulation or by a shortage of certain essential nutrients. If you are considering a hair transplant, it can help to prepare the scalp by having PRP treatments done. It improves blood flow, making it easier for the grafts to attach themselves to their new location and for the scalp to recover. In addition, PRP treatments after hair transplant surgery ensure that the grafts develop better and that hair follicles become stronger, ultimately resulting in a thicker head of hair. If you want to topple hair loss using a preventative approach, the treatment course usually does not create new hair growth, but makes the hair healthier and fuller. The natural hair growth process is also boosted, as the blood flow to the hair follicles is stimulated. PRP treatment courses for hair loss are therefore often successfully used as a preventive measure in the case of androgenetic alopecia.
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