You have lost enough hair to consider taking the plunge! If your dermatologist is not giving you any hope for hair regrowth, what other options can you pursue? Baldness is a hard pill to swallow for some people. Comb-overs draw attention to your hair loss. Wigs and toupees, well most of them look like what they are – hairpieces, unless you spend a small fortune get one that really looks natural. Besides, this option always has one little drawback. You must eventually remove your bought hair, hopefully in private. Then you will have no choice but to face reality of your hair loss.

One alternative that is gaining popularity is hair replacement surgery. Only a competent plastic surgeon can tell you whether you are a good candidate for surgical hair replacement. The first factors that must be considered are your age and health conditions that might affect your ability to endure this kind of treatment. Next, the surgeon will evaluate the extent of hair loss, along with the kind of hair loss. Male (androgenetic alopecia) and female (androgenic alopecia) pattern baldness are conditions that usually do not leave the skin of the scalp damaged. Hair loss that results from medical conditions is more likely to have affected the skin. Some medical hair loss may cause scalp scarring, cicatricial alopecia. Scarring can reduce the potential for successful hair transplantation.

Potential surgical hair replacement patients need to make several inquiries to get opinions from more than one practitioner about the possibility of a successful outcome. The American Hair Loss Council suggests that you check any hair replacement surgeon’s references with the Better Business Bureau, your personal care physician, and your local medical association or licensing board. If you need recommendations or want to confirm claims that hair replacement surgeons or clinics make, you can also consult your barber or hairstylist. Once you narrow your choices down,  ask the surgeon to give you the names and contact information for one or two former patients. Do not rely on before and after pictures to help you make this important decision.