Physical appearance has become more than just your outer appearance and has become the first thing that people judge you for. With the hyper world of social media affecting almost everyone on the planet, one cannot help but be more aware of how you look. Hair loss is a concern that a lot of those affected by it would like to manage immediately. But what kind of cure would be the right one for you when it comes to hair loss, and is hair transplant an option? Below are some of the things you need to know when finding the appropriate cure for your baldness.
What is Hair Loss?
To better understand the condition, hair loss – or what is scientifically named alopecia is the loss of hair on the scalp. This condition can affect the patient in various degrees.
One the common types of hair loss is male pattern hair loss, a progressive condition that affects men across a wide age range. Female pattern baldness affects some women and it involves hair thinning in varying degrees, but it rarely worsens to complete baldness. Male pattern hair loss is usually caused by a combination of male hormones and genetics, while the culprit behind female pattern hair loss is still unclear up to this point in time. However, the types of hair loss are not limited to these and can be caused by different factors.
Having given the types, the first thing to do is to identify the kind of hair loss and decide on the treatment from thereon.
Hair Restoration Treatments
There are some treatments that are considered to be effective for the type of hair loss that they aim to cure.
Among the ones that are approved by the FDA, Rogaine (topical minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) made it to the list. Rogaine is a topical solution that is applied directly on the scalp, and rubbed thoroughly on the affected areas. As much as it is proven to slow hair loss, it has not had much success in making the hair of the patient grow. In fact, there is only 10 to 14% of the patients who have tried it and were successful with hair restoration. Patients are advised to use it twice a day and to massage it deep into the scalp.
Propecia, on the other hand, is a pill that has been proven to treat male pattern hair loss. It works by keeping the male sex hormone testosterone from forming its DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) by-product. DHT plays a big role in hair growth because it shortens the growth phrase and lengthens the resting stage of the hormone-sensitive follicles.
It is worth noting that this pill must be taken under the supervision of a doctor. The biggest downside of this drug is that you you must take it indefinitely. Otherwise, there is a big tendency for you to go back to square one. Another side effect that guys ought to be warned about is the loss of libido. However, it has been said that this effect is temporary.
Benefits of Hair Restoration Treatments
Affordable
When one is faced with a tight budget, non-invasive hair restoration treatments would be the preferred choice because they are more affordable than hair transplants. However, do your research before trying out any of them. The safest approach is to use the ones that are approved by official government agencies and the ones that are licensed by the proper legal body.
Non-invasive
Unlike hair transplants, these treatments are perfect for those who are apprehensive about invasive procedures. These can be considered an alternative if an operation is not advised for your case due to the general condition of your health, or the presence of any pre-existing health problems.
The Best Candidates for Hair Restoration Treatments
There are special cases that prevent certain patients from getting hair transplants and they include the women with a diffuse or what is more popularly called as wide-spread pattern of hair loss. Those who do not have enough donor sites, which should be the source of the follicles, are also part of this list.
Hair Transplant
If the said hair restoration treatments do not work, the next alternative would be a hair transplant. This procedure works by removing the healthy hair follicles from a side of the patient’s head and implanting them into the area that is affected by hair loss. The number of follicles depends on how severe the hair loss is. Consequently, the number of follicles dictates the price of the procedure and the figures can be anywhere between $30,000 – $40,000. Such a steep price has made it the last option for a lot of patients.
Who are the Best Candidates for Hair Transplants?
Aside from being financially capable of getting the procedure, the other situations that would qualify a patient for a hair transplant include having male pattern baldness, female-pattern (generic) hair loss for women, and those who have lost hair due to burns or scalp injuries.
Benefits of Hair Transplant
A Natural Look
Because the transplanted hair follicles come from the patient, the hair tends to grow naturally and possesses the same hair color. With time and recovery, the result makes the growth look seamless and so natural that no one would suspect the patient had the procedure. Hair growth begins 2 to 3 months after the procedure and is expected to completely recover anywhere between 8 to 10 months.
Advanced Technology
Hair transplants used to be infamous for resulting into something unnatural. However, due to the advancement of the procedure, it would be so hard to detect the new hair from the existing hair. The concern with regards to scarring has also been addressed and has become almost impossible to detect, specifically with the follicular unit extraction (FUE) approach. This gives the patient the freedom to choose any kind of hairstyle he would like to have.
Permanent Results
Unlike hair restoration treatments that basically stop working on your hair the moment you discontinue its use, hair transplants are basically permanent. Because of this, you get to save more money in the long run, making it a good investment for those who really want to have their hair back.
If you are suffering from hair loss and want to know the right treatment for you, visit us at the Australian Institute for Hair Restoration. Our resident hair restoration surgeon, Dr. Andrew Kim, has years of experience in providing treatment plan for hair loss patients. Dr. Kim is known in the field of hair transplant in providing natural-looking and realistic results.
Call us now or simply fill-out our inquiry form to schedule your consultation with Dr. Kim today!
