Going Bald? 5 Remedies To Hair Loss Compared

Hair loss can be daunting – even if it is very common. In fact, 85% of men and 50% of women experience some hair loss by the age of 50. Hair loss can have many causes from stress to hormonal changes. It’s often age-related, but some people can experience it while they are still young. 

Some people happily embrace hair loss by shaving their head. But not everyone is comfortable going bald. If you don’t want to lose your hair, there are potential solutions that you can explore. This post looks at five different solutions and goes over them with a fine-tooth comb – comparing the cost, rate of success and suitable candidates for each.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a popular drug used to treat hair loss. You can take it as a pill on prescription, or buy it as a topical cream over the counter. This drug works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, which can help to stimulate hair growth. It is available under different brand names including Loniten and Regaine. 

Cost

Minoxidil varies in cost depending on what form you buy it in. A 60ml bottle of solution costs between £12 and £28. In its foam form, expect to pay £15 to £40 for a 73g can. Oral minoxidil meanwhile costs £20 to £50 per month. While relatively cheap in one does, it can add up over time.

Rate of success

Only 36% of people experienced notable hair regrowth after three years of taking minoxidil. It therefore is not a reliable solution to hair loss. However, it’s important to note that those with certain types of hair loss have been known to experience greater success.

Suitable candidates 

Minoxidil is suitable for both men and women in the early stages of hair loss. It is particularly recommended for those suffering from androgenetic alopecia – the most common form of hair loss.

Steroid injections

For some people, steroid injections can be a solution for hair loss. The injections work by suppressing the immune system and easing inflammation – helping to reduce hair loss caused by conditions like alopecia areata in which the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles. You can get these injections administered at a specialist clinic. 

Cost

You can expect to pay somewhere between £100 to £300 per session when getting steroid injections. The total cost depends on how many sessions you decide to get. 

Rate of success

Steroid injections have a success rate of 60% to 80%. That said, a single injection may only have a minimal chance of having any results – those who find this treatment successful often get monthly injections. This could be too expensive for some people.

Suitable candidates

This treatment is largely targeted at people who have alopecia areata – an autoimmune system that causes the body to attack hair cells. Both adults and older children can qualify. Hair loss conditions like female pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium cannot be treated with steroid injections. 

Hair transplant

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves taking hair from one part of the body and implanting it on another part of the body. It can include transplanting hair follicles individually or transplanting entire strips of hair covered skin. This treatment is carried out by a specialist surgeon and you will usually have to wait two weeks for it to heal, and several months for thick hair growth. 

Cost

Often costing between £4,000 and £15,000, a hair transplant is not a cheap solution to hair loss. The cost depends on the type of treatment you opt for, the amount of hair you want to transplant and the clinic that you use. The benefit of this treatment is that it can often be done in a single session (other hair loss remedies typically require ongoing treatment). 

Rate of success

Hair transplants have a high rate of success. 90% to 95% of the time a skin graft will be successful. The effects are permanent – you do not have to get any more procedures in the future and your new hair should last for years. Complications like infections can be avoided by choosing a reputable clinic and following aftercare instructions during recovery. 

Suitable candidates

Ideal candidates for a hair transplant will typically have androgenetic alopecia. It is best suited for treated hair thinning and bald spots rather than entire baldness – this is because there needs to be enough donor hair follicles, which typically come from the back or side of the head. Hair follicles can be transplanted from other parts of the body, but may not always grow in the same way as the hair on your head. 

Red light therapy

Using certain wavelengths of light, it may be possible to stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair regrowth. This is known as red light therapy. You can get red light therapy done as a procedure at a specialist hair clinic, or you can buy at-home devices to use on your head. Red light therapy is sometimes preferred as a non-invasive alternative to a hair transplant. 

Cost

A red light therapy session can cost anywhere from £25 to £100. At home devices meanwhile cost between £200 and £600 depending on the model and features. 

Rate of success

RLT is not a guaranteed solution. One study found that only 37% of people saw results from this form of treatment. Success can depend on various factors – you are more likely to see results if you get it done as a procedure and undergo multiple sessions.

Suitable candidates

One of the biggest benefits of this form of treatment is that it is suitable for most candidates and it can be used to treat many forms of hair loss. At home devices are very accessible and can be used by anyone with no notable side effects. 

Wig/hairpiece

The most traditional solution to hair loss is to wear a wig or a hair piece. Wigs and hair pieces come in many different styles and sizes – you can choose from online selections or order a custom-designed and custom-fitted wigs. Most wigs are designed to be put on and taken off each day, however there are also wigs that can be glued-in or sewn-in by a hairdresser. It’s essential that you buy a high quality wig if you want it to be convincing. Wig maintenance is also important to keep a wig looking good.

Cost

High quality wigs can cost anywhere from £100 to upwards of £1000. Human hair wigs typically cost more than synthetic hair wigs. You will also pay more for a custom-made wig.

Rate of success

Wigs don’t promote hair regrowth – but as a solution to hair loss they can still be very effective. When fitted properly and well-maintained, a high quality wig can look just like natural hair. Many people wear wigs and hairpieces that you wouldn’t even know were wearing them. 

Suitable candidates

Anyone can wear a wig – whether you’re experiencing hair loss due to medical reasons or genetics. And it’s not just balding people who can wear a wig – a lot of people who don’t have hair loss wear wigs as a trendy way to easily switch up their hairstyle. 

Which hair loss remedy is right for you?

When choosing a hair loss remedy, it’s important to consider your budget and the types of hair loss you are dealing with. Wigs and red light therapy are the most affordable and accessible options. Hair transplants, minoxidil and steroid injections can cost more and may be better for certain types of hair loss. The most permanent solution is a hair transplant, while the most immediate fix is to wear a wig. 

Image by Alexey Klen from Pixabay