What are my options?

You are lucky! There are many options now available for men who are experiencing hair loss. Choosing which is the right one for you can be difficult.

Cosmetic Options

HairSoReal A finely textured artificial hair that looks just like your natural hair. HairSoReal sprinkles on, does not get all over the place like spray-on products and does not smear or run down your face like the cream products. It is an option to costly surgery.

• ADVANTAGES: Simple to apply, natural appearance, made of artificial hair fibers so it binds to your existing hair and looks real. Compatible with all other options and hair styling products. Instant benefits can be seen.
  
• DISADVANTAGES: Swimming is not recommended; must be reapplied daily.

SPRAY-ON PRODUCTS - These products are designed to coat the bottom of your scalp with a paint-like substance the same color as your hair that gives the appearance of hair underneath your existing hair growth.

Spray goes everywhere during application. Your face, clothes, hands and bathroom may get covered in it. It can have a shiny, glossy, unnatural look. You cannot use it where there is not significant hair already growing to cover it. Swimming is not recommended; must be reapplied daily.

CREAM PRODUCTS
These products are designed to coat the bottom of your scalp with a creamy, shoe-polish-like substance the same color as your hair that gives the appearance of hair underneath your existing hair growth.

The creams can run, smudge and stain your face, hand or the hand of someone who touches you. It can look shiny, glossy, and unnatural. You cannot use it where there is not significant hair already growing to cover it. Swimming is not recommended; must be reapplied daily.

TOPICAL REGROWTH OINTMENTS
These products are now available over the counter. They stimulate the regrowth of hair.

Continuous use of products is needed to maintain hair regrowth. If you stop, your previous hair loss process will start again. You will probably lose the regrowth you just gained in three months. At least four months of constant use may be necessary before you see any results. Twelve months of twice-daily applications may be needed to determine whether the products can really work for you.

HAIRPIECES, WIGS AND TOUPEES
Products made of human, animal or artificial hair shaped as naturally as possible to resemble your earlier hair growth.

Poorly made hairpieces can make you the butt of a lot of jokes. Embarrassing personal moments can occur when the hairpiece might slip or fall off. A custom made piece can be expensive.

Surgical Options
These are the longest lasting solutions, but the most expensive. Surgery can be used together with cosmetic products for maximum benefit. Hair replacement surgery is usually safe when performed by a qualified, experienced physician. Still, as with all surgery, there is always the risk that infection may occur.

HAIR GRAFTS
A surgeon takes small pieces of hair-bearing scalp from the back of the head and grafts it onto the balding portion of the scalp (usually at the crown or hairline). Grafts are sometimes called "plugs," and when done poorly it can be very obvious that little tufts of hair evenly spaced around the hairline have been put there surgically.

• COST: $3000-9000 or more
  
• RISKS: In transplant procedures, there is a risk that some of the grafts won't "take." Sometimes the skin plug dies and surgery must be repeated. Several surgical sessions may be needed to achieve satisfactory results. It may take up to two years before you see the final result with a full transplant series.

SCALP REDUCTIONS AND HAIR LIFTS
A scalp reduction is surgery to reduce the surface area of the front and top balding areas of the scalp. A surgeon removes a portion of the skin that is without hair, and in effect, stretches the remaining scalp forward. In a full hair lift, the entire scalp is moved up and forward.

• COST: $3000-7000
• RISKS: Excessive bleeding or tension scars may result from some scalp-reduction procedures. Risk of infection.

Remember: The long process involved in surgery can be aided with products like HairSoReal. A series of grafts that takes over two years to be completed can look finished right from the start with the right application of HairSoReal.