Naturally occurring female hairline patterns.

[BACKGROUND] Hair transplantation is gaining popularity in women. Although much has been written about hairline design in male patients, more information is needed about natural female hairlines.

[OBJECTIVE] To determine the frequency, dimensions, and location of structures that compose the female hairline.

[METHODS] Hairline characteristics were measured in 360 female volunteers at an informal hair salon setting.

[RESULTS] A widow's peak was present in 81%. The mean distance from the mid-eyebrow to the frontal midpoint was 5.5 cm. Lateral mounds were observed in 98%. The mean distance from the frontal midpoint to the apex of the lateral mounds was 3.74 cm on the right and 3.97 cm on the left. The mean distance from the apex of the lateral mounds to the apex of the temporal points was 3.78 cm on the right and 3.51 cm on the left. The shape of the temporal recessions was concave triangular or concave oval in 87% of the subjects.

[CONCLUSION] This study provides proposed guidelines for designing the hairline in women.