In this day and age when faced with hair loss you have a number of choices.  Long gone are the days when you hid your thinning hair underneath an obviously fake wig ignored the jokes or just accepted hair loss as fait accompli. But today if you are not happy with the status quo you have the option of hair re-growth lotions, medicines, hair replacement systems and hair transplantation.

Lotions and Medications

A number of pharmaceutical products are available that affect the structure and working of the hair follicle itself enabling it to support the growth of healthy hair again.  These medications come in the form of lotions or as tablets to be taken with water.  There are prescription as well as over the counter drugs available to counter hair loss.  The prescription drugs are stronger, show a more remarkable difference than the over the counter types that are less effective but also carry less chances of side effects.

Minoxidil or Rogaine (Brand Name) is a hair growth stimulant that is applied topically to stimulate the follicles to grow hair.  Minoxidil or Rogaine is available as a lotion, hair spray, gel or foam and has shown to regrow hair in hereditary pattern baldness in men as well as in women. Minoxidil is dose dependent, meaning that to maintain the benefits to the hair the application of Minoxidil should be continued. Minoxidil 2% takes about at least 4 months of regular usage to show results whereas Minoxidil 5% may show positive results as soon as in 45 days.  Minoxidil 5% should not be used by women.

Retin-A by Ortho Pharmaceutical is a less familiar product that is used alone and in combination with minoxidil to treat male pattern baldness.  Retin-A increases the amount of minoxidil reaching the hair follicle cells thus some believe it works better.

Another solution known as Xandrox, used as an alternative to Rogaine, is manufactured with different percentages of Retin-A, minoxidil and azelaic acid. A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted to advise the suitable formula for you.

Finasteride or Propecia is the only ‘take-one-a-day’ tablet that is taken as a treatment for hair loss in men due to Male Pattern Baldness.  Finasteride stops the male hormone Testosterone from converting into DHT (dihydrotestosterone).  Dihydrotestosterone has been linked to hair fall in men genetically predisposed to Male Pattern Baldness. It is a prescription drug and is only prescribed for men with no liver complications.  It is not recommended for women or children.

Hair Replacement Systems

Hair replacement systems are hair additions or any external hair-bearings attached to the scalp or existing hair to cover bald spots or thinning hair. This category covers toupees, hairpieces, hair weaves, hair extensions and partial hair prostheses. These systems may consist of human hair, synthetic fiber or a combination of both.  More popular nowadays are partial hair additions which are secured in a number of ways to the existing hair.  Some of the techniques used are fusion, cabling, bonding and weaving.

The last and usually the most expensive treatment would be:

Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation is the surgical procedure of removing small plugs or hair bearing pieces of scalp from the thick hair on the sides and back of the head called the donor site.  These plugs are then inserted into punched holes on the bald or thinned out area of the head. There are several other types of hair transplant surgeries like scalp expansion, reduction and flaps etc. Hair transplants are done by cosmetic surgeons and great care should be taken while choosing a surgeon and a procedure.

Surgery is an expensive but long-term solution to hair loss (Alopecia).  Along with the price tag and the risks involved there is the added burden of finding the right surgeon with the right experience.  Though hair transplants are available for most types of hair loss but most of the men and women who opt for hair transplants suffer from Androgenic Alopecia or Male Pattern Baldness.  Hair transplantation being a relatively complicated and invasive procedure should be explored after exhausting the less expensive and less complicated treatments such as ointments or hormonal suppressant drugs.  The success of hair transplant depends mostly on the experience and skill of the cosmetic surgeon.

The Procedure

After your first consultation with the cosmetic surgeon and deciding on the number of sessions, blood work is usually done.  On the day of the transplant under local anesthetic a portion of scalp measuring about 1 cm x 30 – 35 cm from an area with dense hair is removed.  The donor areas are usually the back of the head or the sides.  The donor portion is then divided into single hair or sometimes tiny groups of hair.  These are now called plugs or grafts.  Tiny holes are then punched in the thinned out or bald areas of the scalp.  These plugs are then inserted into the punched holes where they bond with clotting.  Thinner hair is inserted at the front of the scalp while the thicker at the back mimicking the grading of nature.  2000 to 3,500 hair can be inserted in a one to two hour procedure.  The hair can take five to six months to settle.  This procedure can produce a noticeable difference in the re-growth and density of hair permanently in a relatively short time.  With the help of the right surgeon with the right experience, no one can detect you had a hair transplant.

Hair transplantation is also done with artificial hair and is marketed for Male Pattern Baldness.  In this technique synthetic fibres are implanted in to the scalp under local anesthetic.  This method however is not recommended by most experts as it carries with it a high risk of infection and scarring.

Another exciting and new advancement in hair transplant is cloning or multiplication. In this technique a small number of patient’s hair cells are taken and multiplied in the lab.  These hair cells are then injected into the scalp in the thinning and bald areas.  This is still a very new technique and is still undergoing clinical trials.  In one of the initial trials 58% of patients undergoing this procedure grew new hair six months after the treatment.  This technique has a long time before it is introduced to general public.

There are other surgical techniques also available that reduce the area of the scalp thus reducing the bald spot.  In another procedure known as the Flap a whole flap of dense hair bearing skin from the back of the head is attached to the front of the head giving a sudden growth of dense hair at the front hair line.  This method like others has its benefits and drawbacks.

Hair replacement may sound as a mystery to a novice but it is simply the latest term to what once was called a wig.  With the advancement of terminology came huge developments in the techniques of crafting and attaching the hair pieces resulting in such natural looking works of art that it would take an expert to tell the difference between the real thing and the manufactured.  It has become a natural course for men and women going through long hair transplant procedures to invest in a good hair replacement system if they choose to keep mum about their surgery.

Hair replacement systems are hair additions or any external hair-bearings attached to the scalp or existing hair to cover bald spots or thinning hair. This category covers toupees, hairpieces, hair weaves, hair extensions and partial hair prostheses. These systems may consist of human hair, synthetic fiber or a combination of both.  More popular nowadays are partial hair additions which are secured in a number of ways to the existing hair.  Some of the techniques used are fusion, cabling, bonding and weaving.

Do not think for a moment that these systems are a cheaper alternative to other solutions for hair loss.  With hair replacement systems you get what you pay for and natural doesn’t come cheap.  The more natural looking the piece the more invisible its attachment system the more expensive it’s going to get.  You should also factor in the maintenance and the adhesive or attachment accessories.

One of the best and most natural looking of the hair replacement system is the second skin membrane system.  The secret to its very natural look is the individual tied or looped strands of hair which are woven into a very thin co-polymer membrane, because of this it is very hard to tell the difference between the second skin membrane system and a real head of hair.  However these systems are very delicate and have to be replaced a few times a year.  This is most definitely the better and more natural choice for men facing hair loss as compared to old toupee or wigs.

The lace hair replacement system one of the most expensive systems is by and far one of the most natural looking system. To tell the difference between this hair replacement system and real hair is virtually impossible as each hair looks surely to be growing out of the scalp itself.  But the reality is that the hair is really only just knotted into the lace. The lace hair replacement system makes a very natural looking hairline and thus is most suitable for men as well as for women.

It is also healthier as it allows the skin of your scalp to breathe. The lace hair replacement system is very lightweight and comfortable to wear. Depending on how often you wear it, you may need to replace this as many as 2 -4 times each year.

If your hair loss is due to illness or chemotherapy or physical abnormalities, these hair replacement systems are a boost to your self confidence and help you feel more at ease with yourself.