Your 3 Best Hair Replacement Options

The hair is said to be a person’s crowning glory. Centuries ago in Europe, men wore wigs as status symbols, while women kept their hair long and silky to attract the most eligible bachelors. In any culture, women are depicted with long hair. Hair becomes thinner as people age due to  certain hormonal changes and stress. In an effort to resolve this dilemma several hair replacement options are being advertised in the media today.

There are three forms of hair replacement: hair replacement systems, hair replacement surgery and drugs and topical treatments.

Hair Replacement Systems

The hair replacement system, more commonly known as wig, is the oldest and cheapest hair replacement option available. These are detachable cosmetic pieces that cost between $200 and $2000 and last for about four weeks of regular use. There are generally two types: the custom and the stock hair system.

The stock hair systems have been mass produced making them easily accessible from your favorite department store. They are cheaper but are mostly made up of synthetic hair with the most common colors like straight blondes, black and brunette. The thing is not all people have the same head size and hair color.

Thus, the introduction of the custom hair system answers the previous restriction with stock. Custom hair system uses lighter materials and is tailored fit to the customer’s size and hair color.

Hair Replacement Surgery

Another option you have is hair replacement surgery. This involves the grafting of hair samples through incisions on the scalp. Popularly dubbed as hair transplants, these surgical procedures take about 2-4 hours to complete and cost from $2,500 to $20,000. Because of possible risks of infection, these can only be done by accredited doctors. There may be scars due to the incisions; but they can be easily hidden from view once hair grows and thickens.

This surgery is the best option for hair replacement at the present time; but not everyone can reap their benefits. The primary requirement a patient must pass is the age test. Those below 25 years old are not advised to go through the procedure, because chances are their natural hair might grow back and the drafts might hinder the process. Moreover, these procedures are only meant for those with minimal hair loss problems. This is because the use of hair transplants to achieve a full head of hair is virtually impossible.

Tips to help you choose the right doctor

Visit the clinic and know what their resources are. A single hair transplant needs a team of highly qualified individuals who have been trained to use high-powered magnification devices.

From the before and after photos, deduce the efficiency of the doctor and whether or not he is patient-focused. A patient focused doctor would not hasten the procedure in order to accommodate as many patients a day as possible. This kind of doctor does hair transplants to pay for his bills and mortgages and not simply as an additional source of income.

Drugs and Topical Treatments

The last form of hair replacement is drugs and topical treatments. These are described as oral drugs and/or creams that have been prescribed by the doctor. Of all the products available, there are only two that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration: Rogaine and Propecia.

The effectiveness depends on the user’s response to these treatments as well as the dosage. Drugs prescribed by the doctor usually contain pure contents while those over the counter have at least 5% of the essential ingredients. These drugs cost around $100 to $500. Although relatively cheap, this hair replacement option is time consuming and dose dependent. This means that once usage is stopped, progress will too.

Before you decide on any of the hair replacement options presented, keep in mind that there are natural means of caring for your hair. One technique is the regular massaging of the scalp to allow for blood circulation. Another is the avoidance of red meat and instead increasing the daily intake of nuts, fruits and vegetables. A full eight- hour sleep is also proven to do wonders for your hair and scalp health.

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