Hair Transplant Alternatives
Hair transplantation is the only permanent method of restoring hair and is the most effective solution to hair loss, however not every person may feel this method is right for them. There are several alternatives to hair transplantation. With every alternative as with hair transplantation, there are pros and cons. We’ve provided a list of viable alternatives.
Hair Systems
Often referred to as hair pieces, hair systems are synthetic or real hair that have been made into a system that can be worn for all types of hair loss. With such an alternative, it is less invasive, but also less permanent. Hair pieces can look unnatural and must be taken care of with regular, expensive maintenance and must be attached by binding, weaving, or clipping, which in some cases can damage and even cause baldness in the clipping area.
Hair Camouflages
Hair camouflages cover up thin or balding areas. These products may improve the appearance of thinning hair, but do not provide a lasting solution, as most people who are thinning will continue to lose more hair, reducing the surfaces that the camouflage can cling to. This product works best for people who are just starting to lose their hair or need a temporary camouflage for healing hair transplants. Such hair products are available at IHSG or click on the Hair Products link to the left.
Topical Solutions/Oral Medications
There are only two proven medications for hair loss, Rogaine and Propecia. Although these are proven to provide some regrowth on a small percent of users, most will discover that such treatments only prevent further hair loss rather than the growth of new hair. For those who are fortunate to slow or even stop hair loss with these products, they must continue to use them topically or orally for the rest of their lives. If treatment is discontinued, hair loss will reoccur.
Rogaine (Minoxidil) - The first product to be approved by the FDA for hair loss, Rogaine is an over-the-counter topical solution that is applied to the scalp daily. The lotion is available in 5% and 2% for men and 2% for women. Minoxidil has been proven to slow down and in some cases halt hair loss. Though it has been found to regrow hair on the vertex of the head in a small percentage of cases, it has demonstrated little effect on frontal baldness, the area of greatest concern to most balding and thinning men and women.
Propecia (Finasteride) - Approved in 1997 by the FDA, Propecia is the first oral prescription medication to stimulate hair growth on the top and crown area of the head. Originally marketed at a higher dosage to treat enlarged prostates; it has been available for the treatment of hair loss since 1998.The drug is an androgen hormone inhibitor, which lowers the production of dihdrotestosterone, also referred to as DHT. Researchers have found that DHT hormone levels play a key role in the development of male pattern baldness.
Propecia works to inhibit DHT levels in the scalp and interrupt the progression of male pattern baldness.Side Effects: The drug is not prescribed to women as it’s side effects include birth defects and has not been shown effective in studies of women beyond their childbearing years.In less than 2% of male users, there have been cases of impotence associated with the use of the drug according to the manufacturer Merck & Co. These side effects went away in all men who stopped taking the drug because of it.
As with Rogaine, Propecia works best in younger people with limited hair loss. Results can be seen anywhere from a couple of months to a year after beginning treatment
Originally developed to treat high blood pressure, the drug has been studied for more than two decades and is considered safe, although how it works remains somewhat a mystery. It is believed Rogaine works by prolonging the hair growth cycle, which allows hairs to remain in a growth phase resulting in more scalp coverage.
The most common side effect (less than 2%) is an allergic rash. In some cases the drug can cause additional hair loss. Stopping treatment leads to gradual reversal of beneficial effects and hair loss will reoccur.
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