For many trans women, hair is one of the most important parts of feeling like yourself. And for many, especially those who transition later in life, hair loss is part of the picture.
The good news is that there are natural-looking, non-surgical ways to get the hair you want. At Noelle Salon in Melrose, just north of Boston, we fit hair toppers, hair extensions, mesh integration systems and wigs for trans women in a private, judgment-free setting.
Why Hair Loss Happens During Transition
Many trans women start transitioning after years of male-pattern hair loss at the hairline and crown. Hormone therapy can help some women keep the hair they have, but it usually can't bring back hair that's already gone. Talk to your doctor about the medical side. Our job is giving you hair that looks and feels like yours.
Before and after: full coverage for hair loss at the crown.
Your Options
Hair Toppers
Most of our clients aren't completely bald, so a full wig usually isn't needed. A hair topper covers just the area where hair is thin, usually the top and crown, and blends into your own hair.
We attach toppers with a beaded matrix, small beads that hold the topper to your own hair. We never shave your head, and we only use tape in some cases. You can sleep, work out and go to work without taking it off, and we service it about once a month.
If you aren't living as a woman every day, we can make a clip-in topper you put on and take off yourself.
A hair topper for hair loss on top.
Hair Extensions
If you still have most of your hair, extensions can give you a longer, fuller, more feminine style in a few hours. They're also a great way to get through the awkward stage of growing your own hair out.
Extensions need hair to attach to: you need about 70% of your own hair to hide the attachments, and at least 4 to 5 inches of length. We often use Veila Pull-Thru extensions, the method I created, which go in without glue, tape or sewing and can be taken out and saved for later. That makes them a good choice for gender-fluid clients too.
Before and after: long, red hair extensions.
Before and after: hair extensions for length and fullness.
A Topper With Extensions
Many clients wear both: a topper for coverage on top and extensions underneath for length. One of our clients wears this combination every day, and she won an Iron Man competition wearing it. She didn't want a wig she'd have to take off for bed, workouts and work. Her system stays on, and we maintain it monthly.
Mesh Integration
For more advanced hair loss, mesh integration gives a secure base for a hair system, extensions, or both. It's maintained every 4 to 8 weeks, and the system usually lasts 6 months to a year.
A mesh integration hair system.
Wigs
For complete hair loss, a human hair wig can be the right answer. We fit and style a small number of wigs, but most of our clients are better served by a topper, which is lighter and doesn't have to come off.
A human hair wig for complete hair loss.
What About Hair Transplant Surgery?
In my experience, a hair piece gives you more hair than surgery ever could, with no downtime. Many of the women and trans women I see who had transplants weren't happy with the results. A topper or mesh system can give you a full head of hair right away and can be adjusted as your needs change.
Hair pieces can also cover hairline scarring after facial feminization surgery.
After facial feminization surgery, with a new hair topper.
Real clients of our gender-affirming hair services.
A Private, Supportive Experience
Some clients are very comfortable with their transition, and some are just starting. We offer a private room for services, and your privacy matters to us. I have often been the first person a client talked to about their transition, and that's an honor.
We work with health care and community organizations, including Fenway Health in Boston. Learn more about our transgender hair services and our commitment to Strands for Trans.
Book a Free, Private Consultation
We'll look at your hair, talk about the look you want, and show you which option will look most natural. You can also email photos of your hair to noelle@noellesalon.com first.
Book a free gender-affirming hair consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a wig?
Usually not. Most trans women we see still have hair on the sides and back, so a topper or extensions look more natural and are more comfortable than a full wig.
Will I have to shave my head?
No. We attach toppers to your own hair with small beads, and we never shave.
Can I take it off?
Attached toppers stay on day and night. If you want something you can remove, we can make a clip-in topper.
Do you use synthetic hair?
For toppers and extensions you wear every day, we use human hair. I don't recommend synthetic hair for anything attached or worn daily.
