Hair loss occurs in both men and women. Androgenetic alopecia is the clinical name given to male- and female-pattern baldness and it is one of the most common causes of hair loss. Poor nutrition, medications, hormonal changes and thyroid disease are all other factors that can contribute. Restoration hair treatment is often looked to in these situations.
Significance
Hair loss takes place over the course of time. It is not life threatening, but it can have a negative impact on your self-esteem. Restoration hair treatment can bring back your self-confidence and enable you to be social once again.
Function
Hair restoration treatment is designed with a few purposes in mind. It can be used to help regrow lost hair, stop hair loss and to cover up areas of the head where hair has already been lost.
Types
Minoxidil is a foam or liquid solution that gets rubbed into your head where there is thin hair or no hair at all. This treatment helps stimulate circulation to the scalp, which in turn stops hair loss and promotes growth of new hair. Minoxidil comes in versions for men and women.
Hair weaves are hair pieces that are placed on top of the head where there is no hair. They are woven into the existing hair on the sides and back and give the appearance of a full head of hair. Hair extensions are another form of restoration, but they are bonded into place, woven in or clipped on. Both hair weaves and extensions are made out of human or synthetic hair.
Finasteride is an FDA-approved oral medication that is taken to stop hair loss on the crown of the head. This treatment slows down the production of dehydrotestosterone (DHT) which is a hormone responsible for hair loss.
Hair transplants are done in a facility by trained professionals. Donor hair that grows on the back and sides of the head is uprooted in grafts then implanted into bald areas.
Scalp reduction is a surgical procedure where parts of the scalp with no hair are removed and scalp with hair on it is put in its place.
Size
Restoration hair treatments are generally expensive. Rogaine, which is a brand name of minoxidil, costs about $65 for a four-month supply. A generic version of minoxidil costs about $32 for a six-month supply. Hair transplants can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000 and hair weaves can range from $750 to more than $2,500.
Considerations
When you use a restoration hair treatment, be aware that there is constant maintenance involved. For minoxidil products, you need to apply them every day without missing treatments. For hair weaves, you need to come back to the clinic for monthly hair cuts and adjustments. Finasteride needs to be taken every day for the rest of your life.
Warning
With finasteride and minoxidil, it can take anywhere from three to six months before you start seeing results. Then, if you were to discontinue using these products, any results that you did achieve will be gone. Your hair will start to fall out as it did before you started the product. This makes these types of hair restoration a costly risk.
Finasteride is designed specifically for men. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should not touch open capsules due to the risk of birth defects.
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