If you are dealing with balding or hair loss, you may be thinking about getting hair plug surgery, a procedure that involves transplanting little chunks, or plugs, of hair and skin to your bald area. While effective, hair plugs do need to be surgically implanted, and the recovery process can be a bit painful. As such, there are a few non-invasive hair restoration treatments you may want to try before resorting to hair plugs.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical treatment that can help encourage hair regrowth. It's most effective when the bald area is towards the front of the head, as seen with a receding hairline. It can also be used to help regrow thinning hair in both men and women. There are both cream and foam formulas containing minoxidil; they work about the same, and it really comes down to personal preference.
Minoxidil works for many people, but not for everyone — so you really have to give it a try and see. You should know whether or not it is working within 4 months. Side effects are usually mild and include burning and stinging, but some people do become dizzy or develop headaches when using minoxidil.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments for hair growth have really increased in popularity lately. There are a few versions of this treatment. You can visit a day spa or medical center for an in-office laser treatment, or you can purchase an at-home laser device. There are even laser-emitting combs that may be a good option for thinning hair.
All of these laser therapy options work about the same way. They emit a low-powered, red light with a wavelength that stimulates cells and helps encourage hair growth. You will need to be consistent with the treatment to see results. Costs can add up if you opt for in-office treatments, which is why many people end up buying their own device. You can expect to start seeing results within a few weeks, and they'll continue to intensify as time goes on.
There are really no side effects associated with laser hair growth treatments, but they don't work well on everyone, so there is a chance you could spend a lot and not experience much hair growth in return.
If you'd like to avoid surgery, these are two of the most promising hair regrowth options. Talk with a salon care professional to learn more about hair restoration treatments.
