There are many options to choose from when it comes to repairing hair
loss. Although hair transplantation is the only permanent solution, there
are some temporary solutions available as well.
The chart below outlines some of the possible alternatives to managing
hair loss:
Options |
Descrptions |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Hairpiece |
Attachments to hair and scalp to cover balding area |
- Quick solution
- Non-surgical |
- High maintenance
- Expensive
- Looks unnatural |
Minoxidil |
Apply daily to scalp to slow hair loss process |
- Inexpensive
- Available over the counter |
- Must use daily
- Regrowth is rare |
Standard Punch Graft |
Transplant containing 5-20 hairs |
Most specialists can not find any advantages to this method |
Give unnatural, "plug" appearance to hair. |
Laser Grafting |
Graft receptor sites are made with a laser |
Most specialists can not find any advantages to this method |
- Scars the scalp
- May scar under
the skin as well |
Strip Incision |
Small strips of hair are transplanted from one area to another |
Less expensive than follicular Unit extraction |
There some scarring with this method and the effects are less
natural than follicular unit extraction |
Follicular Unit Extraction |
Grafts of 1-4 hairs are placed into the receptor sites |
- Equal distribution
- Looks natural
- No scarring on
scalp |
Most specialists can not find any disadvantages to this method |
Mini-Micrografting |
Larger grafts (1-6 hairs) are placed into receptor sites |
- Inexpensive
- Completed in less sessions than other procedures |
- Leaves large wound
- Slow healing time |
Scalp Extension |
Two step surgical procedure using an implanted extension device
|
- Device does not show |
- Risk of infection
- May stretch back
- Uncomfortable
- Expensive |
Scalp Reduction |
Surgically remove bald scalp |
Decreases size of area to be transplanted |
- Leaves a scar
- May stretch back |