Other Hair Replacement Options

Man inspecting hair Hair replacement surgery is one option among several. Learn about your options and discuss them with a hair replacement specialist before making your decision.

At Hair Surgery Specialists Northwest Dr. Ross can evaluate your potential for hair restoration, talk with you about realistic expectations, and, if suitable, outline a treatment plan for you.

Hair Growth Medications

We understand wanting to take a pill or apply a tonic and have a full head of hair again. While medications have been improved recently, even the best results are not complete.

Product information for these hair growth medications is available at Rogain Direct and Propecia. Dr. Ross is happy to discuss these medications with you as well.

Some modern hair growth medications have been shown to slow hair loss and, in some cases, increase hair density. The two most popular medications today are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). Rogaine, available over the counter, is a liquid applied to the scalp twice a day. Propecia is a pill taken once a day, and is available by prescription only. Either medication must be used continuously for results to be sustained. If you stop taking the medication, any results you may have acquired will be lost. The cost to use these medications is about $15-$50 per month.

There is no scientifically proven benefit from other shampoos, lotions, etc.

Hair Systems

Artificial hair systems technology has improved significantly in recent years. Today there are hair systems that can be worn even during the most rigorous activities—swimming, jet-skiing, and surfing.

Some disadvantages to wearing a hair system:

The anxiety of being "discovered."
Servicing your hair system every six weeks or so.
In the summer sun your system may bleach at a different rate than your natural hair, causing it to look unnatural unless you adjust the color.
How about all those girls you'll be meeting? Has it occurred to you that at some point you'll have to confess that you're actually a bald guy who wears a hair piece?
And there's the cost. It never stops.

The advantage of a hair system is that results are immediate and last as long as you pay to keep and maintain your system. (Cost of hair restoration surgery compared to a hair system.)