Your scalp sheds up to 100 hairs each day as part of the normal growth and regrowth process. Hair integration -- or the process of attaching real or artificial hair to your scalp to cover baldness -- may be an option if excessive hair loss becomes a concern. Consult your doctor before considering any medical treatment for hair loss, says Family Doctor.org.
Significance
Men and women are at risk for hair loss caused by genes, medications, health conditions or other factors, says the American Academy of Dermatology. Androgenetic alopecia, or baldness inherited from a family member, is the most common cause of hair loss. If you feel your rate of hair loss exceeds the time it takes for hair to regrow, ask your doctor which type of treatment is needed. Your doctor can determine the reason for your hair loss and recommend one of several hair-integration options if necessary.
Function
Your doctor may suggest hair transplant surgery, in which a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist gets tiny plugs of skin and hair from your scalp and implants the plugs to conceal any bald areas. Scalp reduction is another type of integration that occurs when a surgeon removes flexible, bald skin on your scalp and closes the space with hair-covered parts of the scalp, according to MayoClinic.com. The surgeon may choose to create a flap by folding skin with hair over the bald area in some cases. A combination of scalp reduction and hair-transplant surgery often produces a more natural-looking hairline, so ask your doctor if this is an option based on the severity of your condition.
Considerations
Realistic wigs and hairpieces are less-invasive integration options when you don't want to undergo medical integration surgery, or when surgery does not bring a resolution. Prices vary based on the use of real or artificial hair and can be found in almost any style and color.
Time Frame
Surgical hair integration procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, although the procedures can be expensive and painful, reports MayoClinic.com. Your extent of hair loss determines how many procedures you require, and your doctor may need up to eight months to evaluate the quality of your new hair. Scarring or infection can sometimes result from surgical hair integration. Avoid surgeons who are not board certified.
Warning
Fad diets, eating disorders or a lack of iron and protein often trigger hair loss. Resume healthy eating and your hair should grow back without the need for hair integration pieces or other types of treatment. Scalp infections such as ringworm that can be treated with medication are another temporary cause of hair loss, along with overuse of dyes, bleaches, and straighteners, reports Family Doctor.org. Notify your doctor if you notice sudden hair loss or excessive hair loss when washing or combing your hair. This may indicate a serious health condition.
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