Non-surgical hair replacement: Toupee's, wigs, hairpieces, hair loss medications.….how do they compare?

1. Cost- Surgery to treat hair loss can be expensive and often is not covered by insurance. Medications vary in cost, but some can also be quite expensive. Over time, the costs of medication may build up to be similarly expensive to surgery. Of course, the cost of a hairpiece is typically minimal compared to the alternatives, although they can be initially expensive as well.
2. Risks-Surgery is always a risky decision. Although hair replacement surgery has advanced by leaps and bounds over the years, the element of risk still exists that not all hair follicles will remain healthy after surgery. The potential for scarring has been reduced due to new laser techniques. Medication may pose health risks as well. For newer medications, there is little knowledge of their long-term side effects. Hair pieces pose almost no risk at all, except for the potential risk of them falling off and causing embarrassment.
3. Effectiveness- Surgery can be the most effective if successful, and medication work mainly on those just beginning to have their hair thin. Hair pieces are the least effective because it is hard to make them look natural.