Most people normally lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day in the normal hair growth cycle. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, when hair falls out in large quantities, you should consult a doctor to find out if you have any underlying medical conditions affecting your hair loss. While some forms of hair loss can be treated effectively, there is no cure for many of the causes. A number of options are available for people who choose to replace lost hair.
Scalp Reduction
Hair restoration surgery is best suited for people who've lost small clumps of hair due to illness or injury, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Surgery reduces the size of the balding scalp, pulling the remaining scalp together and closing it with stitches. Extenders can be inserted into areas of the scalp that are still producing hair to stretch the existing hair and create a fuller overall appearance.
Grafts
Another type of hair restoration surgery involves grafting small bits of hair from one part of the head to the balding area. Strips of hair are removed from other parts of the patient's head that aren't as visible as the bald spots and transplanted to the patient's bald spots. Unlike transplants that strip larger pieces of the scalp, grafts are smaller pieces of hair that are punched out with needles and replanted one by one, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Hair grafts typically are most appropriate for people with thinning hair who want to achieve fullness and have heavy hair growth on the sides or back of the head.
Medication
When hair loss is due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, the hair often grows back with no intervention. Drugs that can help trigger new hair growth to replace lost hair that refuses to grow include corticosteroid injections or pills. Injections are made directly into the bare skin spots, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Steroid injections are best reserved for those with patchy hair loss. Those with more extensive balding should use oral medications. Topical minoxidil, combined with corticosteroid ointments effectively treats many people with hair loss, while anthralin creams work for others to regrow lost hair.
Wigs
Using a wig is an option that bears the least amount of side effects, pain and lost time. According to the National Cancer Institute, patients who know they will lose their hair often shop for a wig prior to the hair loss in order to match their natural hair color. Quality wigs can look natural when they are shaped, cut and cared for properly.
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