Types of Technology for Hair Restoration

Hair restoration technology has improved greatly over the years. While men and women may have solely relied on the use of creams and magic potions in the past, today's technology has opened the doors to options that actually work. Prior to choosing a solution for hair restoration, compare all options for the one that best suits your particular needs.

Surgery

In the past, surgery either used donor skin to apply hair to the patient, which led to an unnatural amount of hair, or reducing the amount of bare scalp. The bare scalp option did not have a permanent result. As of 2011, the surgical procedures have become less evasive and more effective in creating a natural look that lasts. Surgery now consists of taking small amount of hair and inserting them into the follicle. The hair comes from a donor. The procedure may take a lot longer than previous methods, but it gives a more natural result. The main risk of this surgery is the risk for infection and certain medications that may hinder the procedure. Patients with hair loss may also use a laser procedure to help hair grow in thicker and to prevent further hair loss.

Drug Therapy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved hair restoration creams, such as Rogaine, which goes by the name of Minoxidil. This drug was originally created as an antihypertensive, since it decreased peripheral vascular resistance. In patients who use it for hair restoration purposes, their pressure rate may drop slightly. Finasteride was originally only prescribed to patients with enlarged prostates, but when it showed to have an effect on hair growth, it was later sold as Propecia and used for hair restoration. The drug Dutasteride, known as Avodart, treats the same condition and is used in the same way for hair growth.