Non-Surgical Hair Replacement

As medical treatments for alopecia improve and develop, it should come as no surprise to see that other options are becoming more technically advanced too. To many people, ‘non-surgical hair replacement’ is simply a euphemism for wigs, toupes and hair pieces. But that is an out-of-date view. Non-surgical hair replacement techniques have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years. For many men, they now offer the most appropriate solution to male-pattern baldness.

In this article, we will take a more detailed look at non-surgical hair replacement. We will provide more information about the treatment and the procedure and consider the kinds of scenarios where it may be appropriate. We will also look at the disadvantages, and why some men may prefer surgical hair transplants to non-surgical techniques.

What is non-surgical hair replacement?

If you still think that non-surgical hair replacement means wearing a wig, think again. Today’s techniques create a result that is far more subtle, far more comfortable, far more natural and fair easier to live with.

Non-surgical hair replacement involves applying a thin, light, transparent membrane to the scalp, which is infused with human hair. This membrane is then attached to the scalp and woven in with the existing hair, to create a very natural effect.

This approach allows the hair in the membrane to be matched perfectly with the existing hair, in terms of colour, density and direction. Similarly, because the membrane is attached to the scalp using the very latest bonding materials, you can wear it with confidence, even while playing sport.

What does the treatment involve?

Most non-surgical hair replacement begins with an initial design consultation. This design consultation ensures that the product is tailored to sit naturally with your existing hair, colour and style.

From design to completion of a bespoke product normally takes about a couple of months. You can purchase products that are not bespoke and already prepared, so that they are cheaper and more readily available. But what you save in time, you compromise on in quality, workmanship and precision.

Once the design stage is completed, there are two more key elements in the procedure. Firstly, there is the membrane. There are currently a number of different types of membrane available on the market, but the most recognised types are monofilament, polyurethane and lace. If you are considering non-surgical hair replacement therapy, you should expect your practitioner to use one of these three types of membrane. Usually, the requirements of the user will enable your practitioner to recommend the most appropriate one. Monofilament is porous, so it suits people whose scalp needs to breath. Polyurethane is virtually invisible and very discrete. Finally, lace creates the most natural looking results and is often used to create the hairline or for the most visible areas of male-pattern baldness.

The second key element in the procedure is bonding the membrane to the scalp.  The latest, most sophisticated techniques bond the membrane to the scalp with an adhesive that is translucent and which will not be broken down by sweat or water. Some of your existing hair will need to be shaved away to allow the bond to stick directly to the scalp.

Why choose non-surgical hair replacement?

So why would you choose non-surgical hair replacement over other treatments for male-pattern baldness? The first and most obvious reason is that, for a lot of men, other routes such as using Minoxidil or Finasteride do not work. So if they cannot generate hair regrowth via medical routes, non-surgical hair replacement is their best option.

Of course, in these sorts of cases, non-surgical hair replacement is not their only option. They could try surgery. However, for many men who have male-pattern baldness, surgery is the last resort. One reason for this is that many people just do not want to have surgery unless it is absolutely necessary. Another reason is that surgery takes existing hair and moves it around your head. Therefore, the success of the surgery relies on having enough existing hair to be able to move some from the ‘donor area’. There is also the danger that, if you continue to lose hair in the future, you will need further surgery, which will once again diminish the hair in the donor area. Surgery therefore, is not a sustainable treatment.

Non-surgical hair replacement avoids these problems as it does not tamper with or remove the existing hair. For men try non-surgical hair transplants before surgery, so that they can evaluate the quality of the treatment before risking any of their existing hair. 

What are the disadvantages?

While non-surgical transplants suit many men, they do have some disadvantages. The main one of these is the fact that the product does require ongoing maintenance to ensure that the effect remains as natural as possible. If you need your hair cut, for example, you cannot just pay a quick visit to the barbers. You usually need to return to the hair replacement surgery, have the membrane removed and your existing hair trimmed. You may also then need the hair in the membrane restructured to compensate for any changes.

As you would expect, the membrane does wear out over time and will need to be replaced regularly. Depending on the type of product you choose, it can also require specialist care products.

All of these maintenance requirements add to the cost. So while non-surgical hair replacement may look attractive when you view it as a one-off cost, it is important to remember that it doesn’t end there. If you want to maintain the effect, you will have to keep on spending money.

How much does it cost?

As we’ve discussed, there are different types of hair replacement product available and which type you choose can affect the cost. Human hair is usually more expensive than synthetic versions. Similarly, certain types of membrane are more expensive than lower quality varieties. Finally, you can also expect to pay a premium for craftsmanship: good quality work takes time, but the more carefully the new hair is designed to fit with your existing hair, the better the result will be.

In most cases, the initial cost for non-surgical hair replacement is between £600 and £1000. You should always make sure that you arrange an initial consultation with a qualified professional, who will provide a clear treatment plan and costs in advance.