Coping with baldness by restoring the appearance of your hair may help to boost your self-esteem. Both men and women can experience hair loss and balding, although the problem is more common in men. Approximately 25 percent of men begin to bald by the time they are 30 years old and about two-thirds are bald or have a balding pattern by age 60, according to the National Institutes of Health. Several hair restoration options are available to regrow hair or improve the appearance of your hairline.
Medication
Minoxidil is a topical medication that can slow hair loss and spur hair regrowth. Both men and women can use the over-the-counter medication, although it may be several months before results are seen. Finasteride is a prescription oral medication used to treat male pattern baldness in men. Results may not appear for several months. Corticosteroids can be helpful in treating hair loss due to alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that results in small round patches of hair loss on the scalp or in body hair. Anthralin, a topical cream, also may be helpful in treating alopecia areata, according to MayoClinic.com. The prescription medication is usually used to treat psoriasis, but also works to trigger hair growth.
Scalp Reduction and Extension
Scalp reduction reduces the size of bald spots by removing several inches of skin on the head in the middle of the balding area. Doctors stitch the remaining skin together, pulling together sections of skin with full hair growth. Before a scalp reduction, it may be necessary to stretch the skin by inserting a scalp extender or tissue expander under the skin. The devices work to stretch out areas of the scalp that produce healthy hair. Scalp extenders or tissue expanders are inserted during outpatient surgery and remain in place for three or four weeks, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Hair Transplant
During a hair transplant, small strips, plugs or slits of the scalp containing growing hair are removed and grafted into place on balding areas. Scars resulting from the procedure are usually covered by hair growth. Several hair transplants may be needed to completely restore the appearance of the hair.
Other Solutions
Hair loss can be concealed by using hairpieces or weaves made with human hair, animal hair or artificial materials. Prices for hairpieces vary depending on the quality of the hair or materials used to make the hairpiece. The American Hair Loss Association warns that using hairpieces attached by weaving or gluing may accelerate hair loss on the area of the scalp directly below the hairpiece. Women may be able to use perms and creative hairstyling techniques to disguise hair loss.
