Men’s Wigs vs. Surgical Hair Replacement

Male pattern baldness used to be an inevitable part of life for over 85% of men. However in recent years, surgeons have developed a alternative known as a surgical hair replacement or a hair transplant. How does this procedure compare with wearing a wig?

How it Works:

Hair Transplant:

During a hair transplant, a 3-4”strip of scalp is removed from the back of the patient’s head and is divided into small grafts, which are transplanted onto the top and sides of the scalp. The procedure usually takes 4-8 hours and may require more than one surgery, depending on the extent of the hair loss and the desired thickness of the new hair.

After the surgery, the patient will often be on pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs for several days, but will usually be able to return to work within 2-5 days. In 6-9 months, most patients will have achieved 60% of their new hair growth, which is usually permanent. However, it’s important to note that a transplant does not stimulate new hair growth – it simply redistributes the existing hair.

Wigs:

Unlike surgery, the results of wearing a wig or toupee are immediate, painless, and result in as full of a head of hair as the client desires. However, the hair is not (usually) the patient’s own and is not alive. Instead of stimulating new hair growth over a bald spot, wig-wearers need to keep their scalp shaved in order to achieve a secure bond between the head and the hairpiece.

A wig or toupee also needs to be replaced periodically as it wears out. We usually recommend that wearers own at least two hair pieces (one to wear while the other is being maintained), and preferably a third as a spare. However the price difference between a wig and a surgery can be staggering – with a surgery costing up to $15,000, a cost that is rarely covered by insurance.

If you would like to look further into your options for treating hair loss, we invite you to stop by our Philadelphia location and browse our extensive selection of men’s best wigs and toupees. Our helpful staff will be happy to answer your questions. You can even contact us in advance for a private consultation.

Give us a call at (215) 725-3930 today!

We look forward to serving you.

Rosalind Stella’s Wig Boutique proudly serves the people of the following communities: Philadelphia, PA; Center City; Northeast Philadelphia; South Philadelphia; Main Line; Jenkintown, PA; Abington, PA; and Cheltenham, PA.

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