Cosmetic Ideas

Introduction

The treatments discussed here are cosmetic. They don't do anything to stop or reverse hair loss. They are cover ups, that temporarily thicken hair or mask bald spots etc. Great and normally comparatively inexpensive if you just have thinning hair or used in combination with other products or techniques. Always read the instructions and if in doubt see your doctor. Make sure to differentiate between a hair loss treatment and a cosmetic product meant to improve the appearance of hair. Be objective in your reading, and as an educated consumer you will be able to make an informed choice and select a product or service that meets your needs.

WHAT'S OUT THERE?
Cosmetic hair loss products offer a potentially helpful addition to more effective and proven treatments. See index left. If available, click the heading of each item for more information or to be taken to the makers or distributors site

WHICH PRODUCTS?
Wigs
The word wig is short for periwig and first appeared in the English language in the late 1600s. Today, a good wig can look absolutely authentic and wonderful. The best ones, however, are usually very expensive and fragile, needing a lot of attention to keep them in perfect condition.

Marketing men have had a field day with this area of hair loss. They've dreamt up fantastic names and terms to describe and help sell their products. It's not wigs anymore, you will be sold "hair extensions", "weaves" or some kind of fancy "system". of treatment - Polystrand , Microweave, Micro system, Matrix, Strand Excel, HeadRug X, etc etc. But, they are just wigs. For goodness sake just call a wig a wig. They are just an artificial extension of a missing body part! These prostheses are manufactured from either human hair, horse-hair, wool, feathers, buffalo hair, woven spider webs (strange but true) or synthetic strands

Most people associate a wig with one or two well know people in the public eye. Movie stars often wear wigs in film. These wigs tend to be exceptional quality and can be virtually undetectable. They are usually made from real human hair and are very delicate, making them only suitable for short term wearing. Money's no object in tinsel town.

Most "shop" wigs today can be attached with a variety of methods. Traditionally they would be taped or glued directly to the scalp. This has improved and now includes special adhesives on two-sided tapes and new improved waterproof liquids. Also, over the years manufacturers have developed different methods of attachment. Some wigs are firmly held in place by actual wire loops which are surgically stitched into the scalp. While the wig hardly ever falls off, serious infection can easily occurs. Holes in the scalp often don't fully heal and close. Another method of keeping a wig secure is "tunnel grafting". Here, Small skin grafts are taken from a donor site and formed into a small loop which is used to insert removable inserts permanently attached to a wig. Vacuum bases- held on by suction through an air tight fitting foundation can also be employed. 

Although most adhesives are safe, it is best to have a patch test done by a dermatologist if you have a history of allergies. Even if you do not, its always best to have a patch test done in advance anyway. If not done correctly, hair weaving and other types of attachment that place prolonged tension can cause permanent hair loss at the anchor site on fine, thin hair. Even temporary clips attached too tightly can also cause permanent hair loss. Proper hygiene must be maintained when wearing a hair addition for extended periods of time. 

A well-fitted wig can pass unnoticed. The more noticeable wigs are probably not custom made and perhaps the incorrect colour for that person. Furthermore, light can cause wigs to discolour, making them stand out from the wearers original hair. Also, a persons hair colour changes  as they age which can also cause a mis-match problem for a wig wearer.

So unless you can afford a perfect custom made wig, then a wig rarely looks natural and is often obvious to all. The cost of regular replacement is high and cleanliness can also be a severe problem. It is essential to clean the scalp and hair on a regular basis.

Having said that, in reviewing all treatment options, the wig appears to be the instant, safest means of obtaining additional hair. (This excludes sutures and tunnel grafting procedures).

VideoJug: Buying A Wig

Toupees
While wigs have a long and traceable history, the origin of the "toupée" is more difficult to trace However, you can reasonably guess that the first toupée was worn with the intention of deceiving the viewer into believing the hair was natural. A wig on other hand, was worn for decorative or ceremonial purposes and in early days could be easily viewed as one.

Toupees are similar to wigs but generally cover a smaller area. Problems with them revolve around fitting and cleanliness. Glossy advertisements will portray individuals out swimming, skydiving and enjoying all sorts of sports. The fact is you can actually swim and shower with a wig on, but such activities will cause damage to a toupee. Water will affect the colour and styling. Soap, water salt and chlorine will all shorten the life span of a wig or a toupee.

Wigs and toupees can be expensive. They need to be replaced on a regular basis. A person would also want a few of the same hair pieces, one for wearing while another is being cleaned and a spare for any problem that may occur.

Hair Weaving
Hair weaving is where hair is knotted to an artificial base that is then woven into whatever hair you may have left on the scalp.

Problems arise where the person can have additional permanent hair loss from the frequent retying and tensioning of the wig, a condition called Traction alopecia. As your own hair grows the weave will need re-tightening about once a month. After about six months a person can lose hair permanently along the stress point where the wig is tied. 

Initial costs of the weave can seem reasonable. The real cost is the ongoing expense in visits to have the weave re-tightened.

Artificial Hair Implants
Touted as one of the latest state of the art hair replacement methods. The result can look very good and presentable. This look does not usually last.

Hair implants are usually synthetic acrylic strands of filament, with a small hook at the end, similar to a fishing hook. The hook and strands are inserted into the scalp. The scalp is anaesthetised and the fibres are implanted one by one with a needle, which can be done at the rate of 500 implants an hour. This procedure repeated for every strand, can not only be extremely painful, it has been shown to cause serious infections and can cause permanent scarring to the scalp.

Rejection rate with these implants is usually a high 25 %.  This often leaves thinning patches on the scalp. After about nine months the implants have a tendency to snap near the base thus leaving tuft of strands on the scalp which look terrible. These broken strands can only be removed surgically and thus leave the scalp scarred for life. This is not a pretty sight and very seldom can anything be done to disguise it.

The cost of such treatment is expensive. 

Artificial hair implants have been banned in America. In other countries around the world (the United Kingdom, for instance) it is still carried out and the initial appearance can look stunning. Remember to balance this with the possible ongoing problems and expense.

Hair Bonding-Fusion
Similar to hair weaving. New hair, artificial or real, is glued or bonded with a surgical adhesive, to your existing hair and scalp, rather than woven. It still requires adjusting as your own hair grows. Again the initial cost may reasonably low but, as before, you have to go back to have the hair piece re-glued the gluing is not something you can carry out yourself again, be aware of the extra cost involved in continuous treatment.

Hair Extensions
Hair extensions are woven into you own hair and are a favoured method of treatment for women but usually not really suitable for males. Extensions can give an excellent result but still have to be retightened regularly. They are really suitable for people with a lot of existing hair to start with. It's a popular method with women wanting long flowing tresses of hair.

Artificial Hair Thickeners
This product is for fine or thinning hair. It is usually a lacquer mixed with a fine powder which clings to the hair and makes it look thicker thus hiding the thinning areas. The more it is sprayed the thicker the hair looks. After it is applied the hair can be combed or styled in the normal way. An application will last until the next time you shampoo your hair.

They are suitable for thinning or fine hair. They are also suggested for someone who has had a hair transplant which may need a slight cover up during the initial stages of treatment. If this type of product is applied with a bit of care then the results can be fairly dramatic and can cover up most small bald spots on the crown. Hair thickener are not usually suitable for large areas of baldness as it needs to be sprayed onto existing hairs to be really effective.


General Summary
As you can see there are a variety of ways that the scalp can be covered up without any surgical treatment taking place. These solutions may not be suitable for everyone. No two people are the same and what works for one person is not necessary suitable for another. Try all the options first. Make sure you see samples of wigs on actual people, not photographs.