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Hair Replacement Systems

Hair loss can be a devastating ailment for both men and women. More than 65 percent of men have signs of hair loss by age 60, as do a substantial portion of women over 50. Early hair loss can also be triggered by various prescription drugs. Luckily, there are many systems available for preventing, halting or reversing hair loss using both synthetic and natural methods.

  1. Significance

    • Minoxidil--the active ingredient in hair replacement systems like Rogaine--is effective only when used properly. It must be applied twice a day as instructed by the manufacturer. Even so, a relatively small portion of males will see significant results from the treatment. Much is still unknown about how hair loss and replacement works, despite massive demand for working hair replacement treatments.

    Function

    • The most effective hair replacement method is a surgical transplant. Modern hair transplants don't involve unsightly hair plugs. Modern treatments involve tiny incisions into the scalp, into which smaller amounts of hair are implanted. The hair then behaves naturally, creating a full head of hair without the need for chemical treatments. The reliance on transplanting hair into the back of the scalp and the forehead make the procedure less practical for women, however.

    Features

    • There are also many alternative hair replacement treatments out on the market. The majority of them, however, have not been put through clinical study. Some of the drugs may mimic the effects of clinically proven hair drugs in blocking the hair loss hormone DHT. Hair follicles that receive significant and repeated exposure to DHT die, and stop producing hair. The earlier that hair loss treatment starts, the more effective it is likely to be.

    Considerations

    • There are other surgical baldness treatments besides transplantation. Plastic surgeons can reduce the size of the scalp or roll over flaps of skin to increase hair coverage. These methods can be effective, but they carry a greater risk of infection resulting from the surgery.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Malnutrition can lead to premature hair loss. Choose a diet or take supplements that are rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids to promote hair health. Ward off anemia by getting sufficient iron in your diet. Avoid hair loss scams that claim that they can regrow lost hair. Once a hair follicle dies, the only viable option for replacing the hair is to get a surgical transplant.

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