Your hairstyle plays an important part in your overall self-image. In one study, researchers even discovered that people generally find a person's hairstyle to be their most memorable feature. Unfortunately, hair loss is fairly common and can seriously harm your self-esteem and confidence. There and numerous reasons people begin losing their hair, including genetics, cancer treatments and other medical conditions. While hair loss can be difficult, there are effective hair replacement procedures available to help.

Hair Treatment Products

The first step many people suffering from hair loss take is to try a specialized hair loss product. These solutions are formulated to stimulate the growth of new hair. Some of the most commonly used treatments include minoxidil and finasteride. While these two treatments can be beneficial and actually help many people re-grow their hair, they are not guaranteed to work. Some people do not experience the same benefits and those who do have hair re-growth typically have to continue using the product in order to maintain these results. Fortunately, you still have a number of options if you are looking for a more permanent hair replacement procedure.

Hair Transplants

Hair transplants are perhaps the best-known surgical treatment for hair loss. This procedure involves taking small sections of hair follicles from the back of the head with the hair follicles intact and then transplanting them onto balding regions of the head. While this procedure gained some infamy in the past for producing less-than-perfect results, today's techniques allow surgeons to produce amazing results. Typical candidates for this type of hair replacement procedure are balding men over the age of 40.

Flap Surgery

Another popular surgical hair replacement surgery involves taking a section of scalp and relocating it to the balding sections of the head. Once the flap has been positioned, it is reconnected to the blood supply. This procedure has a good success rate and can produce excellent results for many patients. The biggest benefit of flap surgery is that it can produce dramatic results in a relative short span of time. The best candidates for flap surgery are people with excellent circulation and blood flow.

Scalp Reduction Surgery

Scalp reduction surgery is yet another effective hair replacement procedure. This treatment involves removing portions of the bald areas of the head, then suturing the remaining skin together. In many cases, this treatment may be combined with hair transplants and micrografting to reduce scarring and create a natural look. The key to having a good experience is to choose a skilled doctor and undergo a careful screening process to determine if you are a good candidate for scalp reduction surgery.

Hair loss can affect people of all ages for a wide variety of reasons. Whether you are facing genetic or acquired hair loss, there are steps you can take to regain a full head of hair. In many cases, you may want to begin with a topical hair re-growth solution before determining if plastic surgery is right for your unique needs.