While hair restoration surgery is now a proven treatment for restoring hair where it has been lost, Hair loss medication such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride), have made real contributions toward stopping and even reversing hair loss.

During the late 70’s and early 80’s it was discovered that minoxidil, used as a heart medication, had hair growing side effects. Minoxidil was tested for use as a topical scalp treatment for hair loss and proved to inhibit hair loss in many test subjects.

It has proven to be effective to some degree in slowing the hair loss process. For a minority of people it can even grow back lost hairs in the crown area (back of the head). However, Rogaine (minoxidil) does not slow or reverse the balding process in the frontal hairline area.

Rogaine is typically applied topically on the scalp twice a day, morning and evening. But once usage is discontinued the hair loss which had been inhibited will resume and the hair that was saved will be lost.

Rogaine originally required a prescription, but in 1995, it became available in 2% strength Rogaine over-the-counter. Today, men and women can buy 5% strength lotion over-the-counter as Rogaine or as generic minoxidil.

To date Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride)are the only hair loss medications with FDA approval. Propecia’s active ingredient, finasteride, was originally used to treat enlarged prostate glands. It was discovered that, like minoxidil, it had the “side effect” of stopping male pattern baldness and for some even regrowing hair.

Propecia is taken as a pill once daily and acts to inhibit the body’s ability to create dyhydrotestosterone or “DHT”. DHT acts as the active ingredient or catalyst in the balding process.

Rogaine and Propecia

The 90’s brought great advances in hair restoration, both surgical and non surgical. Now most people can realistically halt and reverse their hair loss with truly natural results.

In 1988 minoxidil, Rogaine, became the first hair loss medication to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss.

In 1998 the FDA approved Propecia for the treatment of hair loss. Propecia (finasteride) should NOT be taken by woman or children for any reason.

Learn about all your hair loss treatment options.
 

We know that and rogenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness is by far the most common cause of hair loss, accounting for 95% of hair loss in men and women. But there are a variety of other causes for hair loss in men and women. These include disease, aging, improper hair care, poor nutrition, and stress.

Disease and Illness

It's a proven fact that medical conditions, as well as treatments and procedures, may lead to hair loss. Many people have experienced sudden and large amounts of hair loss about 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery. Fortunately, this hair loss is usually temporary, and is related to the stress of the illness.

Hair loss may also signal a previously hidden disease,including lupus, thyroid disease or diabetes. Because hair loss may be an early sign, it's a good idea to identify the problem and begin treating it at this time.

Psychological disorders such as Trichotillomaniamay be responsible for self-inflicted hair loss Men and women suffering from this condition pull their own hair out by the roots.

Hair loss may stem from taking certain medicines, but this normally stops once the medication is no longer taken.

Hormonal Changes

Another cause of medical hair loss is hormonal problems. Essentially, having an overactive or under active thyroid gland may cause your hair to fall out. Treating the thyroid disease will usually help this hair loss. Hormones can also cause hair loss if male hormones (androgens), or female hormones (estrogens), are out of balance. However, if the hormone imbalance is corrected, the hair loss should stop.

Aging

Did you know that 40% of men have noticeable hair loss by age 35, and 65% by age 60?

Aging is one of the factors necessary for and rogenetic alopecia to occur, along with a genetic predisposition and the presence of hair loss-inducing hormones. Hair loss is dependent on exposing the vulnerable hair follicles to the proper hormones over time.

Improper Hair Care

Isn't it frustrating to see people with thick, full heads of hair treat it so badly? Dyes, bleaching, pigtails -- it all takes its toll on hair.

The chemicals used for dying, tinting, bleaching, straightening or any other hair-altering procedures can lead to hair becoming strained or damaged. Eventually, this hair may even break off.

But it's not any better in the hair salon, as excessive styling that pulls the hair too tightly may also lead to a type of hair loss, called "traction alopecia." As long as this pulling is stopped before the scalp scars, the hair will grow back normally. But be warned, scarring can cause permanent hair loss.

It's also not a good idea to subject your hair to hot oil treatments or the chemicals used in permanents. These may cause inflammation of the hair follicle. This too, may lead to scarring and hair loss.

Improper Nutrition

Researchers have found that some hair loss may be due to insufficient protein or iron in your diet, as well as malnutrition, in general. As effective as "miracle" or "fad" diets sound, they may cause damage. Vitamin deficiencies, as well as certain illnesses related to eating, such as bowel disease or eating disorders, can also cause poor nutrition. These may all cause hair loss.

Stress

Stress can be harmful to the entire body, and the hair on our heads is no exception. Regardless of the cause - illness, a traumatic experience, nutritional deficiency - our rate of hair loss may increase.

However, it should be noted that stress-induced hair loss is not a cause of male-pattern baldness. Rather, this type of balding is known as "telogen effluvium." Telogen effluvium is caused when the body senses a problem and diverts its energies there. This results in hair being shed, although it's usually reversible.

Stress affects the hair of men and women differently. It's been foundthat women's hair is more sensitive to stress' effects than men's hair. One possibility is that stress (along with DHT and other things) may facilitate hair loss for women who are genetically predisposed towards it While the cause of genetic female hair lossis a bit of a mystery, women experiencing hair loss are advised to consult a dermatologist or hair restoration specialist to determine its cause Many causes of thinning hair in females are non-genetic and hair loss is often reversible by treating whatever condition is promoting it.

It seems that lately, new hair loss treatments based on “revolutionary scientific research” hit the rumor mill on a monthly basis. Some of these treatments come to light via reputable scientific journals while others, like Recoverup, materialize one day with a flashy website, a lot of promises and very little verifiable data. Recoverup is a UK based company that claims to offer stem cell treatments for hair loss through clinics in Taipei, Taiwan and Penang, Malaysia. According to their website, this treatment is so quick and easy it can be performed in a single day with startling results visible in only one month. Does this sound too good to be true?

Recoverup’s baldness treatment process claims to rely upon Autologous Adipose Adult Stem Cells (AAA). Unlike controversial embryonic stem cell treatments, Autologous Adipose Stem Cells are derived from the patient’s own fat cells through a small liposuction procedure and are then grown into a culture to increase volume. These stem cells are then “differentiated” with “growth factors” and injected into the scalp in order to induce new hair growth. This multistage process from extraction to injection can be performed in two appointments scheduled in the same day.

The question is, does Recoverup’s baldness treatment really grow hair? They state that “Empirical data indicates patients would expect to see at least 40% of all treated areas showing one of four results; (1) darker hair (2) thicker hair (3) faster growing hair or (4) more hair per follicle. Overall the effect is of more volume, and density, in those areas which were treated.” However, the Recoverup website offers very little in the way of photo documentation. The few photos that are presented are of poor quality and covered in text making them very difficult to evaluate.

The estimated cost for the one day hair loss treatment is between $8,000 and $13,000 depending upon the area to be treated. However, if the area to be treated is sufficiently large enough to merit a second day of treatments then this fee increases. Recoverup states that the long-term effects of the treatment are unknown and are dependent upon such factors as the patient’s age and quality of the source stem cells. “However, as a general guide, in other areas of stem cell treatment, data indicates approximately 3-5 years of positive results from each treatment.”  Recoverup does offer a 30-day money back guarantee if a patient experiences no new hair growth but is also quick to point out that the results will vary. One can imagine quibbling over whether or not a single follicle that didn’t appear to exist prior to treatment would constitute success under their definition. In summary, assuming Recoverup’s AAA stem cell treatment does stimulate hair regrowth, a patient can expect to pay upwards of $13,000 plus travel expenses to Asia for a treatment that is, by their own estimates, about 40% effective and may last between 3 and 5 years. This hardly sounds like an attractive alternative or even supplement to today’s state of the art, ultra-refined follicular unit hair transplantation combined with the clinically proven medical treatments Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil). It is recommended that patients approach all unproven, “revolutionary” medical treatments with cautious optimism. Androgenic alopecia is progressive and avoiding proven surgical and medical treatments in favor of experimental procedures may lead to further hair loss.

Hair Replacement systems, also known as hairpieces, hair replacements, hair systems or toupees, have improved over the past decade. Quality hair replacement systems are now refined in construction and light weight. For those with extensive baldness who require a full head of hair to be satisfied they offer a quick and nearly instant solution.

Hair systems are constructed of human hair or synthetic fiber. Recent advances have made the synthetic hair much more natural in appearance and texture.

A quality hair replacement system is specially constructed for an individual recipient. These systems are made of real hair, synthetic, or both. They're designed to attach to the head for an extended period ranging from 3-6 weeks, without ever being taken off. Visit Farrell Hair Systems for more information.

Hair systems can work for both men and women. In fact, more and more women are opting for hair systems over wigs, as they can be more comfortable and look more natural.

The process of getting a Hair Replacement System

Typically clients first visit a hair salon for an evaluation. The extent of their hair loss is measured. They are given information including prices, maintenance, and future schedules. Usually, it takes several days for the system to be prepared, based on the client’s preferences.

While a person can get virtually any type of look, you are generally guided towards an option that looks more undetectable and realistic. These studios employ their own hair stylists to achieve ideal looks. Clients can visit these stylists for monthly haircuts or touch-ups.

With these hair systems, a fine mesh foundation is placed on the scalp's balding area and precisely cut to these dimensions. Later, real or synthetic hairs will be inserted into a foundation to create the "Hair System" or hair piece.

The foundations of the past were actually designed to be thicker and more durable. Fortunately, today's foundations are much thinner to make them undetectable. However, this thinness comes at a price, literally. The thinner a system the more delicate it will be and thus it will require being replaced more often.

Once completed, the hair system is attached to the client scalp using clips, weaving, and/or adhesive. The hair system is then styled to match your existing hair.

Maintaining a Hair Replacement System

The stylist in the studios also remove the systems about once a month for maintenance, cleaning, and styling. During these adjustments a person can expect to have their hair system removed, their scalp thoroughly shampooed, and their hair cut. The hair system may also be touched up and or colored if needed.

It's crucial to carefully groom the hair system to maintain a natural appearance. With a quality system, a person can expect to continue doing all normal activities such as running, bicycling, and weightlifting.

However, hair systems typically require time, money, and effort to keep them looking their best. And some clients may feel some discomfort, as well as some insecurity that their hair system may be detected.

Various Methods of Attaching a Hair System

Hair replacement systems can be attached in a variety of ways. They can adhere to the skin, hair, or a combination of both.

When attached to existing hair this method can provide an extra sense of security for clients who enjoy active lifestyles. This type of attachment goes by names such as fusion, weaves, cabling, beading and bonding. Because this type of attachment depends on the rate of the hair's growth, the system must be reattached periodically.

Hair replacement systems can also be applied to bare skin. This can be performed in a variety of ways, such as waterproof and biologically safe glues as well as two-sided tape. However, while these glues and tapes are generally safe for the skin, it's possible to have an adverse reaction. For that reason you should tell the studio stylist of any discomfort.

It's also possible to have a hair system applied surgically. In this case, small skin grafts, known as "tunnel grafts", are taken from a donor site. These tunnel grafts are then formed into tiny loops and placed in the balding areas where the outer edges of the hair system will be attached. The edge of the hair system is then attached to these loops once they have grown into the scalp. Since the hair system is now attached to the scalp, rather than the existing hair that grows out over time, the hair system does not get progressively looser over time.

However, this method of attachment is not recommended due to possible complications such as skin infections.

Finding a Quality Hair Replacement System

If you're considering a hair attachment, you need to be aware of just how to locate the nearest studio, as well as what to look for in one.

Of course you can use the Yellow Pages or the Internet to locate a qualified studio. However, once you do locate one, it may be a good idea to check with the local Better Business Bureau for complaints against the company. It's usually only a problem if there have been multiple complaints against the company.

It's best to consider a hair attachment studio that specializes in non-surgical hair replacement systems. And once you do find an appropriate office, it's best to bring along a photograph showing your ideal look. Plus, try to meet with other clients who are wearing the hair system you may be considering.

It's also important to find out how a company handles potential client problems and complaints. Do they have money-back guarantees or trial periods? These are important questions to ask.

You may also want to check around with the American Hair Loss Council (AHLC), one of the leading groups governing hair loss. The AHLC can't endorse any individual firm. However, this organization supplies clients with a list of local AHLC specialists, known as the American Hair Loss Council Source Book. The specialist and studios on this list are all required to sign a statement that says they honor the group's code of ethics. This code is designed to protect consumers.