The widow’s peak has been the target of negative connotations throughout history. Originally said to be an omen of early widowhood for a woman, the widow’s peak is a hairline that many make an effort to be rid of. Despite the folklore surrounding the name, a widow’s peak is not limited by gender with one study finding the hairline occurring in 29.6% of women and 32.8% of men, while another study found it appeared in 15.45% of men and 16.36% of women [1,2].
Some people may be unhappy with this particular hairline, and try waxing, plucking, or other methods to remove their widow’s peaks. However, this is temporary as the unwanted hair will begin to regrow.
In this article, we’ll look at different types of hair transplants for widow’s peak, as well as some alternative therapies.
One of the most popular misconceptions about the widow’s peak is that it is a type of hair loss, such as male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness, or temple hair loss. However, this well-known and natural hairline is a product of genetics. The gene that causes a widow’s peak is called the morphogenetic trait. It causes an extension of midline scalp hair growth in a ‘V’ or ‘peak’ formation at the center of the forehead [3].
Therefore, though 79% of hair loss is hereditary, and the widow’s peak is passed through genetics, it is not hair loss. Nor is it to be confused with an ‘M’ shaped hairline, as this is usually a direct result of hair loss [4]. Where the ‘M’ shaped hairline has a much more triangular shape on the forehead, the widow’s peak is curved up the sides of the head, meeting in a triangular midpoint.
Some people go through life with a widow’s peak, never worrying about appearance. But others are keen to see the back of their genetic hairline. Many celebrities and models confidently sport their widow’s peaks. This can be helpful for anyone struggling with self-confidence, stress, and anxiety when it comes to their hairline.
History tells us that a widow’s peak was a bad omen for young women. However, this folklore actually derives from the mourning cap which women would wear circa 1600s. The cap had a ‘V’ shape which sat at the top of the forehead, creating the ‘peak’ shape. Despite this origin, the widow’s peak V-shaped hairline has also become a prominent look in vampiric folklore and film. It’s now the go-to hairline for the gothic.
The widow’s peak hairline is hereditary, so you’re more likely to develop it if someone in your family also has one. It’s based on genes, so the trait is present during foetal development, although it may not show until a child’s hair becomes prominent, or until even later stages of life. This means that it is difficult to predict when a widow’s peak will develop.
As you age, your widow’s peak hairline usually becomes more prominent, which can lead some to mistake their widow’s peak as a receding hairline. However, this is not hair loss but just your hair naturally changing to a mature hairline.
Hairlines do change shape and develop with age, so a child may not display their hereditary hairline until they pass 5 years old [5].
Having a widow’s peak can also be related to several other genetic conditions, such as:
If you’ve decided to have a hair transplant to blend your widow’s peak into the rest of your hair, the Wimpole Clinic can help. We offer two different types of procedures when it comes to hair transplants: FUE (follicular unit extraction) and FUT (follicular unit transplantation).
There aren’t many outstanding differences when it comes to deciding whether FUT or FUE is better. However, when it comes to choosing the right one, your surgeon will advise you on which is best for you.
A FUT transplant is performed by harvesting strips of skin containing healthy, active hair follicles from the back or side of your head. The surgeon then dissects this strip into hair follicle clusters, reimplanting the hair grafts into the affected areas.
This type of hair transplant costs a little more than FUE hair transplant surgery, as it’s a more involved, invasive procedure that requires more staff to perform it effectively.
There’s also a higher risk of hair transplant scarring with FUT, as the grafts need to be harvested in strips. This means that a FUT hair transplant is recommended for patients who intend to wear their hair long, covering the scars.
Although the surgery itself is usually completed within a day, it does take longer to complete due to its invasive nature. That’s why FUT recovery time is a little longer than FUE recovery. With both procedures, you’ll usually see new hair growth within 6-18 months.
If you think FUT is right for you, but you’re worried about scarring, scalp micropigmentation can help cover it.
An FUE transplant is a more modern, advanced approach to the procedure. The surgeon will use a tiny punch, 0.6-0.8mm in diameter, to remove follicles individually from the donor area. The procedure is minimally invasive and therefore does not cause noticeable scarring, meaning you can wear your hair however you like.
The Norwood Scale marks a widow’s peak as Norwood stage 1 to 2. This can be used to work out how many hair grafts are needed to get rid of your widow’s peak. A widow’s peak often sits at a 2-2a on the scale, so you may need around 500-1000 grafts.
The cost of a hair transplant to address a widow’s peak will depend on the number of hair grafts that need to be relocated. The number of grafts required for a widow’s peak hair transplant is generally not high, but it varies for each person.
The image below will help you estimate the number of grafts needed, but it’s essential to consider the density of the area as well. Although the area may seem small, achieving a natural appearance may necessitate a significant number of grafts.
The typical 2,000 graft hair transplant cost in the UK is on average £4,820.
If you’re looking for a solution that is less intensive than a hair transplant fix for a widow’s peak, there are a few options available. Instead of adding hair to the spaces highlighted by the ‘V’ shape, some people prefer to remove the ‘V’ itself.
This can be done by:
If you have a widow’s peak that is causing issues with self-confidence or you are experiencing hair loss, we’re here to help.
We’ve been performing expert hair restoration services for more than 50 years, even receiving the ‘Hair Transplant Clinic of The Year Award’ 3 years running. It is for this reason that our leading hair loss team is able to provide consistently outstanding services.
We offer a range of services, from FUT/strip surgery and FUE to eyebrow transplants and beard restoration services.
If you’re unsure about where to begin, read our prepared list of questions to ask before getting a hair transplant to get the most out of your hair restoration consultation. Our trichology team is on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your hairline and all things hair-related including treatments to prevent further hair loss.
Book your free consultation with our team to get started.
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