What works for hair loss and why.

Concealers

Start here. Concealers will make you look better and feel better immediately. Then with your smile restored, you can go out and explore the more costly and involved hair loss treatments described below. Concealers can even be used along with other treatments. They're the safest, fastest and least expensive of all your options.

Most people with hair loss aren't bald. They have areas of thin hair or small bald areas. Concealers make these areas disappear. For many, this is a miracle. Concealers work by coloring the skin to match your hair color. The best ones also add a thickening coat making the hair appear thick and full. The results are often spectacular.

Solid. This one's a hard-packed, powdery formula that you rub directly on the scalp with applicators. It coats and thickens the hairs impressively and looks very natural. You can brush your hair or even swim with it. They offer a free 2nd color to new customers and free applicators: DermMatch Topical Shading.

Sprays. These go on fast, but if you've ever spray painted anything indoors, you know the problem with overspray. Although they add a thickening coat to the hairs, they can look unnatural on the hair and they make it very tough to brush or comb your hair. You'll find that ProThik does stay on better than Ronco GLH Formula 9.

Sprinkles. These work like salt & pepper shakers. They drop tiny colored particles on the scalp. They're not as messy as sprays and they have no adverse appearance on the hair. They don't coat or thicken the hairs, however. Like the sprays, you have to avoid brushing, sweat, rain and water. Take your pick: Toppik or Nanogen.

FDA Approved Hair Growth Drugs

What's a drug? According to FDA, drugs are products that affect the structure or functions of the human body. Drugs you can purchase without a prescription are called over the counter (OTC) drugs. FDA requires that all drugs be approved prior to sale. For hair loss, they have approved two.

Propecia. (finasteride) This is probably the world's most effective hair growth product. It's by prescription only. It's also for men only. It works in front and in back. In tests, 66% of men grew hair in back and 42% grew hair up front. Almost all the rest stopped losing hair. Propecia inhibits the enzyme 5 alpha reductase to decrease DHT production.

Propecia's sexual side effects are often exaggerated. This is a perfect example of why you need to read test results yourself. Trust no one. For example, 1.8% of men taking Propecia reported decreased libido. So did 1.3% of men in the test's control group- they were taking placebos. Make sure you always use the Clinical Crash Course to help you understand test information. You'll find complete test results online for Propecia.

Rogaine. (minoxidil) This was the first hair growth drug approved by FDA. Now it's available without a prescription - extra strength for men and regular for women. Rogaine's effectiveness is established in front and back for women but only in back (vertex) for men.

Rogaine seems to work because of its vasodilator properties. DHT shrinks and chokes follicles, and Rogaine seems to combat this by swelling the follicle's tiny microvascular structures. This is not to be confused with a generalized increase in circulation to the scalp - a premise of many scams. If you want clinical test data, contact them and they will send references to medical journal articles. Reach Rogaine online.

Alternative Hair Growth Remedies

What else works? There are other natural and manufactured products that work for hair loss. New ones are always on the way. These have a scientific basis for effectiveness. Here's how to find the most effective ones and never get caught in a scam.

Contact. First, read How to spot a hair loss scam. Then weed out the obvious scams as you scour the vast product collections you'll find through Resources. Contact the companies whose products survive your screening and ask for "product test information". Only pursue products that offer test information or references to medical journal articles.

Evaluate. Don't be lazy. Your hair is at stake. When companies give you their product's test information or references to medical journal articles, gather them and dig for the most effective product. Evaluate with the Clinical Crash Course.

Hair Restoration Surgery

How much have you lost? Maybe you're past the point of help from concealers or growth products. If your hair is still thick on the sides and in back - or if you've previously had a bad transplant, keep reading. Now more than ever you should consider surgery.

Procedure. Some hairs never fall out. These are usually found on the sides and back of the head. They can be relocated to bald areas on top where they will continue to thrive. Although transplants have been around for decades, today's standard is light years beyond surgery done only a couple of years ago. The best surgeons today can even repair most bad transplants done yesterday.

Practitioner. Do your homework. Learn about procedures past, present and future. Walk into a surgical consultation fully informed. Above all else, find a qualified surgeon. You'll find everything you need when you read- top to bottom - Resources.

Hair Systems

Have you lost it all? No problem. No matter how much hair you've lost, these can help. Like surgery, hair systems are vastly improved today. They're lighter, more comfortable and they look more natural. And they're no longer called wigs or toupees.

Materials. The hair itself is either natural or synthetic. Each has its advantages. The greatest variation is in the methods of attachment and integration with any existing hair. Appearance, durability, comfort, health and cost are your major concerns.

Practitioner. As with surgery, do your homework first before you do anything. Learn everything you can. It's easy. You'll find excellent sources for educating yourself on every type of hair system as well as how to find a trustworthy practitioner in Resources.