Is There a Non-surgical Method of Hair Transplantation?
Hair transplantation or hair replacement attempts to replace lost hairs on the body. Hair transplanting can be carried out through surgical and non-surgical methods. The issue of hair loss to some people is nothing to worry about; however, for others, it is a grave issue that has consistently led to depression and loss of self-worth.
According to research, more than 60 % of males and 40% of females suffer globally from the issue of Alopecia. Therefore, if you feel less because of hair, know that billions of others are battling the same problem as you.
Non-surgical hair replacement provides an identical natural look and is a less expensive technique. Hair restoration takes less time than surgical hair transplantation; therefore, it is the best option for persons with a completely bald head.
The ability to regenerate or replace one’s hair through a hair transplant means you don't have to leave with this problem again. Thanks to innovation and technology, we have improved drastically in hair transplanting, and we now have exact human hair replicas.
Due to its wide acceptance, non-surgical hair replacement has become very common today. There are thousands of products along with this business. Although non-surgical hair replacement has its own merits, we must carefully select the right product.
Non-surgical hair restoration is helpful for both men and women. It may regrow your hair with natural-looking results and no visible scar trace.
This post explains the concept of non-surgical hair regeneration, including the various products and methods available. Preceding our guide on non-surgical hair replacements is also a guide on other alternative forms of hair replacement. However, before we proceed with non-surgical hair replacement, let us first explain what surgical hair transplant means because it will help us understand the other methods better.
Surgical Hair Transplantation Or Replacement
Although the prospect of having surgery to reverse hair loss might be intimidating, hair transplant surgery is a very successful alternative that may be worth exploring if you've already lost a significant amount of hair.
Hair loss surgery does not technically restore lost hair. It can, however, have a considerable influence on your look and assist you in filling in parts of your scalp with substantial hair loss. A surgical hair transplant is often done using the local anesthetic and sedation procedure; therefore, you will not feel any pain.
Non-Surgical Hair Transplantation
The term non-surgical hair transplanting or replacement is an ambiguous term because it describes all methods of human hair replacement that do not involve surgery, i.e., using scissors and a knife. However, marketing companies have minimized the phrase to mean hair replacement systems using a toupee or a wig. Below we will discuss non-surgical hair replacement systems and other alternative methods that may not be very popular among people.
1. Hair Replacement Systems (Wigs and Toupees):
This is a non-surgical method of hair replacement that has gained notoriety in recent times. Hair replacement systems are a fancy term used to describe the artificial synthetic material otherwise known as a wig or a toupee.
Non-surgical Hair Replacement Systems are a viable choice for people looking for a hair loss remedy. It is a painless method of replenishing your lost hair.
Hair replacement systems come in various colors and sizes, with a base made up of polyurethane.
Although the hair used is a replica, improvements in technology have seen near-human hair replicas. If you’re worried that it is fake and people may discover it, you can get a stylist to arrange it properly for you in a way that it will look real.
The human hair replacement system is fixed so that the membrane is attached to your scalp and then covered by the wig or hairpiece. In some cases, real human hair is used. Sometimes, when the hair replacement is properly done, it becomes very difficult for others to spot that you’re using fake hair.
Non-surgical hair replacement systems have proven to be the best alternative to the very expensive surgical hair replacement methods over the years. Despite the wide acceptability of using hair replacement systems over other hair replacement methods, it has merits and demerits. One of them is that the industry is overcrowded with different products, both low end and high end. Sometimes, getting the right and quality one requires spending large sums of money. Below are the merits and demerits of hair replacement systems in hair transplants.
Pros and Cons of Using Hair Replacement Systems
Everything has its advantages and drawbacks, and hair replacement systems are not an exception. Below, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using hair replacement systems:
Benefits of Hair Replacement Systems
- It is instant:
Taking the route of surgery in replacing is tasking. Sometimes the process may take three to four weeks and a period of healing which may vary for everyone. However, using hair replacement systems will take an average of 10 minutes to fix the new hair on your scalp. Using a hair replacement system is surely great assistance for people who don't have the time to spare for a long surgical process.
- Hair replacement system is affordable:
Did you know that the average human hair surgery costs about $10K? This is a huge sum for someone living paycheck to paycheck. However, replacements are affordable, and you can get them as low as $25.
- No side effects:
Taking the surgery route may sometimes bring injuries that may have a lasting impact on the scalp. However, the hair replacement system has almost a 0% chance of irritation.
- More beautiful:
Gone are the days when wigs looked too artificial. The advancement of technology has availed manufacturers of these systems to have the ability to disguise the natural human hair to near perfection. Today, many celebrities and athletes use hair replacement systems, with only a few people knowing.
- Convenience:
Imagine having the ability to remove your hair when you need to? That is the convenience that comes with using a hair replacement system. Your hair becomes detachable and movable, and therefore you can choose to remove it at your convenience.
Disadvantages of Hair Replacements Systems
Hair replacement systems have their downside, like all products, despite the plethora of advantages. Below we discuss some of the constraints of adopting hair replacement systems as an alternative to other hair transplantation methods:
- Not cost-effective in the long run:
Although the hair replacement system prides itself as being cheap, in the long run, it proves to have less cost-effectiveness because after the usage for an average of three months, you have to change it.
- Low quality:
Although technology has advanced, manufacturers of these products can produce high-quality products faster. The market is still filled with thousands of substandard products and fake replicas.
Another issue related to both price and quality is that the quality of the product is tied to price, defeating the affordability advantage advanced by marketers of hair replacement systems.
- Longevity:
Unlike surgery which, once done, is permanent, using a hair replacement system is not sustainable for the long term because you can not use it for more than 5 months at best.
- It is fake:
Those who put on toupees or wigs are constantly overwhelmed by the thought of wearing something artificial.
- Hair replacement systems are difficult to maintain:
A hair adhesive may need to be applied to your scalp throughout the day. That implies it'll need to be washed regularly and cared for. This might become fairly time-consuming to maintain the greatest possible quality.
Other Non-Surgical Methods of Hair Transplant
Aside from hair replacement systems, there are several other ways of replacing lost hair using non-surgical methods. Below, we discuss some of these methods in detail:
2. Medical Procedures For Hair Replacements:
Finasteride is an oral medication that treats MPB by inhibiting the hormone that causes hair loss, dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone that weakens and shrinks your hair follicles, eventually causing them to cease generating hair. Although Finasteride may not give you an instant result, consistent usage has proven effective for most people.
Minoxidil is a medication applied on the scalp to improve blood flow and circulation into the bald area. Your hair needs nutrients and oxygen to grow, and Minoxidil helps trigger them. According to research, hair regrowth is seen in two-thirds of males who take Minoxidil. It offers a natural choice for restoring your hairline to its former splendor without the inconvenience of a toupee.
3. Scalp Micropigmentation
Scalp micro pigmentation is a non-surgical method of hair replacement that is gaining acceptance among the hair loss community. From the word 'pigments,' hair pigmentation involves putting small dark dots in bald areas to disguise baldness. Micropigmentation is an aesthetic treatment procedure that treats common hair issues such as Areata, scarring alopecia, Alopecia, and male pattern baldness.
Aside from use to cover baldness, micro-pigmentation is also applied after surgery to cover up the scars. Scalp micro pigmentation, although a simple and straightforward process, has its ups and downs. Some of them include:
Advantages Of Micro Scalp Pigmentation
- Comfortable:
Since scalp micropigmentation is not a surgical method of hair replacement, it is convenient and can easily be completed in a few minutes with no injury or scars left.
- No need for maintenance:
Unlike hair replacement systems, micro-pigmentation does not require maintenance; therefore, you have nothing to worry about.
Disadvantages Scalp Micropigmentation
Hair pigmentation is fake, like hair replacement systems. However, if the pigmentation is done properly by an expert, there will be nothing to worry about.
Scalp micro pigmentation can cost thousands of dollars, and too many people see spending that much on a 'scalp tattoo’ as just a no.
While hair replacement systems and micro scalp pigmentation can provide the illusion of a larger, thicker head of hair, they do nothing to prevent or reverse hair loss.
You are not all lost if hair loss increasingly worries you, and you do not want to fake it. Below are choices to assist you in halting or stopping your hair loss. In certain situations, if therapy begins early enough, you may be able to regrow hair from parts of your scalp damaged by male pattern baldness.
Common Myths About Hair Replacement Systems
Myths concerning non-surgical hair replacement treatments abound, both online and offline. Therefore, it is important that before you acquire a non-surgical replacement system, you should be aware of the following myths and study the facts:
- There is no color variety:
Many people have spread this narrative that hair color in non-surgical systems is only restricted to black color. However, this is false. Advancement in technology has enabled manufacturers to produce toupees in any color.
- Non-surgical hair replacement systems are fake!!:
This is another myth that has been popularized about toupees. Although toupees are artificial, there are near human hair replicas that a few people can only spot.
- They irritate the scalp:
Chances of toupees or wigs causing irritation or infections are rare. Non-surgical hair replacement, compared to the surgical method, has developed a revolutionary way of making your hair seem natural. This innovative process for restoring lost hair allows the individual to feel more at ease. You will be able to wear the hairpieces comfortably while engaging in activities such as sports or swimming.
Conclusion
You are left to choose the best type of hair replacement that works for you. If you are concerned about just having hair back, you can go for the non-surgical process regardless of whether it is real. However, for those who need total transplanting of hair, although daunting and expensive, the surgical method is the sure way to go.
Finally, it is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for managing hair loss. Therefore, it's essential to analyze your condition and pick the best method to suit your situation.