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A Guide to Non Surgical Hair Replacement

Knox Beasley, MD

Reviewed by Knox Beasley, MD

Written by Lauren Panoff

Published 12/13/2020

Updated 10/05/2024

Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is common, affecting an estimated 50 million American men. While some prefer to embrace their hair loss, others seek solutions to help fill in thin or bald patches, like medications or hair transplantation

If surgery isn’t your thing, you might consider non-surgical hair replacement. Think medications or using a hair “system” — AKA toupée — which is more convincing and modern than you might think. 

Below, we’ve explained what you can expect from non-surgical hair replacement, its pros and cons, and the surgical alternatives.

While surgical treatments for male pattern baldness can be effective, they’re not for everyone — and that’s okay. There are plenty of other non-surgical hair replacement alternatives that many men find helpful. 

Non-surgical hair replacement is pretty simple: it refers to treatments for hair loss that don’t require surgical procedures. 

This is a very diverse, broad category that includes non-invasive options for managing male pattern baldness like: 

  • Hair loss medications such as minoxidil and finasteride

  • Hair loss supplements 

  • Shampoos and conditioners 

  • Hair replacement “systems”

  • Scalp micropigmentation 

Some people may use the term “non-surgical hair replacement” to refer specifically to products worn on or applied to the scalp to replace lost hair, like hair replacement systems or scalp micropigmentation. 

We’ll look at all these options in more detail.

Regrow Hair

All about hair, here

If you’re looking for a non-surgical hair replacement option, you should know that many are available, so there’s likely one suited to your needs and preferences. 

Here’s what you should know about each option to make an informed decision.

Hair Loss Medications

The most effective way to treat hair loss is to use hair loss medications, which may be used alone or in combination with hair transplant surgery. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two different medications to treat hair loss: oral finasteride, which is sold as a generic medication and as Propecia®, and topical minoxidil, which is also sold as a generic drug or under the brand name Rogaine®.

These medications are backed by scientific research showing they can treat hair loss and stimulate growth. Certain formulations of these two hair loss medications may also be used together.

The biggest advantage of treating hair loss with medication is that it works — and not just in the short term. Instead of just masking the problem, medications can help stop hair loss for good by blocking it at its root cause. 

However, both need to be used on an ongoing basis to produce long-lasting results.

Finasteride

Finasteride prevents your body from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This androgen hormone that binds to receptors in your scalp and causes a receding hairline, thinning, and other signs of hair loss.

When used regularly, finasteride can reduce the amount of DHT in your body by 70 percent —  enough to slow down, stop, or reverse hair loss. 

Several studies have found that this medication works well as a hair loss treatment, including one in which 91 percent of men experienced improvements in hair regrowth even after ten years of regular use.

We offer finasteride online, following an online consultation with a physician who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. 

You can learn more about how finasteride works as a treatment for male pattern baldness in our guide to finasteride results and our detailed guide to reducing finasteride side effects

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a topical medication for hair loss that’s available over the counter. Unlike finasteride, it doesn’t block DHT. Instead, it improves hair growth by promoting blood flow to your scalp and shifting your hair follicles into the anagen, or growth, phase of the hair growth cycle.

Research also supports the efficacy of minoxidil, with several studies showing improvements in hair growth for men who use it. 

One study found that 59 percent of men with pattern hair loss who used minoxidil over a year demonstrated improvements.

The same study also found that minoxidil was particularly effective when used in conjunction with finasteride, with 94.1 percent of men treated with both medications displaying improvements over one year.

We offer minoxidil solution and minoxidil foam online, as well as a combined topical finasteride and minoxidil spray

Learn more about how minoxidil works in our guide to how long it takes for noticeable results and in our detailed guide to minoxidil side effects

Personal Care Products and Supplements

Many men find it helpful to use personal care products, like shampoo made with saw palmetto and other thickening ingredients, to increase the volume of their existing hair. 

Biotin supplements are also a simple addition to your everyday routine that may help support healthier hair, skin, and nails. If supplements aren’t your thing, you can increase the hair growth potential of your diet pattern by eating more foods rich in biotin.

However, like anything else, not everyone experiences the same results with these types of products. And even if you do get results, you’ll need to use them long-term to continue to see improvement — with no guarantee you’ll be able to avoid considering surgery to protect and maintain your hair in the future.

Hair Replacement Systems

Hair replacement systems are essentially wigs or toupées. Unlike the synthetic-looking, plainly artificial wigs that most people envision, hair replacement systems vary widely in quality — some are virtually impossible to tell apart from real, natural hair. 

At the lower end of the scale, you can find various stock systems or hairpieces. Many of these have a polyurethane base that sits against your scalp, with either artificial or human hair.

While artificial hair systems tend to look, well, artificial, many hair replacement systems that use human hair can be cut to match your natural hair and often blend in reasonably well. 

At the higher end of the scale, you can find customized hair systems designed to match your hair color, style, and head shape. 

Although a keen observer might be able to spot it, some of the higher-quality hair systems can look extremely convincing.

If you’re losing your hair or already have significant hair loss, a hair replacement system might offer certain advantages:

  • Cost. Depending on which one you choose, wearing a hair replacement system can be a much more affordable option than undergoing surgery.

  • Convenience. Surgical procedures such as hair transplantation usually require one to two weeks of recovery. A hair system can be an easier, more convenient option with zero downtime.

  • Personalization. Depending on how much hair loss you’re trying to mask, you might be in the market for a whole new look. This can be fun, providing plenty of options to personalize your non-surgical hair replacement piece to your liking.

On the other hand, hair replacement systems also have some disadvantages. These may include:

  • Possibly poor quality. Hair systems can vary significantly in quality, and some low-end products are poorly made and unconvincing. If you’re worried about your hair “looking fake” and don’t have the budget for a high-quality piece, using a hair system may not be for you.

  • Cost. Although the cost of certain hair systems can be an advantage, it may also be a disadvantage. Inexpensive hair systems tend to look cheap, while convincing ones can often cost a significant amount of money. 

  • Longevity. Many hair systems are only designed to be used for weeks or months, and then you’ll need to replace them. Over the long term, this can add up, both financially and in the amount of time you spend finding and fitting new hair systems.

Scalp Micropigmentation

Scalp micropigmentation, or SMP, is a non-surgical procedure that uses small, tattooed dots to create the appearance of thicker hair. 

Although it doesn’t replace hair, the dots created on the scalp by micropigmentation can cover up thin areas and replicate the look of fuller hair. 

Micropigmentation is used to cover up various types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata, scarring alopecias, and male pattern baldness. Many people (men and women) also use it to fill in the shape and fullness of their eyebrows. 

Micropigmentation can also be used to cover up scarring from a previous hair transplant surgery, which — when performed with older techniques — can leave behind clearly visible scars and areas on the scalp with little or no hair growth.

Like other non-surgical options for treating hair loss, scalp micropigmentation has advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of scalp micropigmentation include: 

  • Convenience. Scalp micropigmentation doesn’t cause the pain, discomfort, and recovery time of surgical procedures like hair transplant surgery.

  • Lack of maintenance. Unlike a hair system, there’s no need to reapply micropigmentation to your scalp. After the procedure, the pigmentation is applied to your scalp for the long term and usually doesn’t require significant ongoing maintenance.

Disadvantages of scalp micropigmentation include:

  • Unnatural appearance. Overall, patient satisfaction with scalp micropigmentation tends to be high. However, it may not produce a natural-looking result when it’s performed poorly or on a scalp with little or no hair.

  • It’s a tattoo. It’s important to remember that you’re basically getting several tattoos on the affected area. This means that the color of the ink could change over time as your skin ages. If it’s not done by a professional, you may experience complications such as infection or an allergic reaction to certain pigments in the ink.

  • Cost. Although scalp micropigmentation is generally less costly than hair transplant surgery, it’s quite expensive. A typical scalp micropigmentation procedure may cost anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000. 

Our article on scalp micropigmentation regrets shares more concerns to be aware of before getting this procedure. 

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Before/after images shared by customers who have purchased varying products, including prescription based products. Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. These customers’ results have not been independently verified. Individual results will vary. Customers were given free product.

Non-surgical hair replacement has several benefits, from the lower cost of using a hair system to the lack of post-surgery downtime.

Arguably, the biggest advantage of non-surgical hair replacement is that it immediately provides results — or at least an aesthetic improvement. If you opt for a hair system, you’ll look as if you have a full head of hair the moment it’s fitted to your scalp. 

This can provide a fast, convenient confidence boost without the long commitment of using medication.

To put this in perspective, hair loss treatments such as finasteride and minoxidil generally take three to six months to produce visible results and as long as one year to significantly improve issues such as hair thinning.

Surgical treatments, such as a hair transplant, also require a significant time commitment. Not only can the procedure take several days to complete, but it can take months before your new hair may completely grow back in.

In comparison, the process of having a hair system fitted is generally fast and easy, and using it once it’s fitted rarely takes long. 

Another benefit of non-surgical hair restoration is the cost. Although hair loss medication is far from expensive, hair transplant surgery can cost tens of thousands of dollars, especially if you want to achieve a full head of hair after your procedure.

In contrast, many moderate to high-quality hair systems can be purchased for several hundred dollars, a small fraction of the price of hair transplant surgery. 

Non-surgical solutions for hair loss, such as hair replacement systems and scalp micropigmentation, can help create the appearance of a thick, healthy head of hair. 

However, they don’t actually do anything to treat or prevent further hair loss, and you may still want to consider hair transplant surgery. 

Although undergoing surgery to reverse hair loss can feel daunting, hair transplant surgery is a highly effective option that may be worth considering if you’ve already lost a large amount of hair.

Hair transplant surgery involves moving hair follicles from the back and sides of your scalp — areas more resistant to DHT — to your hairline, crown, or other areas with visible hair loss. This is called follicular unit extraction (FUE).

Technically, hair loss surgery doesn’t replace lost hair. However, it can have a major positive impact on your appearance, especially if you have hair loss in a highly visible area.

Our guide to hair transplants goes into more detail on how hair transplantation surgery works, the different methods used to extract and transplant hair follicles, the typical costs of hair transplant surgery, and more.

Hair loss treatments, delivered

There’s no perfect answer for treating hair loss, but fortunately, there are plenty of options that can help you achieve healthy hair. If you’re considering non-surgical hair loss treatments, here are the key takeaways:

  • It offers many benefits. If you’d rather avoid hair transplant surgery, a non-surgical hair replacement option like personal care products, supplements, or a hair replacement system may make more sense. They may be less costly and are definitely less invasive. 

  • There are also downsides. Some non-surgical hair replacement options require a higher investment depending on your desired quality and longevity. And despite their hair “replacement” branding, not all of them replace the hair you’ve lost — they simply cover up the fact that it’s missing.

  • Everyone is different. Hair care is personal. FWhether you choose a hair system, medication, surgery, or a different solution, it’s important to consider your unique needs and choose the treatment option that best suits you as an individual.

If you’d like to get started treating hair loss, start by taking our free online hair loss quiz

Our guide to the best treatments for thinning hair also provides more information about successfully dealing with male pattern baldness.

8 Sources

  1. Asfour L, et al. (2023). Male Androgenetic Alopecia. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278957/
  2. Highlights of prescribing information: Propecia. (2021). FDA. Retrieved from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/spl/data/3c8dff7e-41ab-46db-bacf-c41cc237f9d9/3c8dff7e-41ab-46db-bacf-c41cc237f9d9.xml
  3. Hu R, et al. (2015). Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia: A randomized and comparative study in Chinese patients. Retrieved from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.12246
  4. Peyravian N, et al. (2020). The Inflammatory Aspect of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7667670/
  5. Rassman WR, et al. (2015). Scalp micropigmentation: a concealer for hair and scalp deformities. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382144/
  6. Yanagisawa M, et al. (2019). Long-term (10-year) efficacy of finasteride in 523 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337105943_Long-term_10-year_efficacy_of_finasteride_in_523_Japanese_men_with_androgenetic_alopecia
  7. Zito PM, Raggio BS. (2024). Hair Transplantation. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/
  8. Zito PM, et al. (2024). Finasteride. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/
Editorial Standards

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

Knox Beasley, MD

Dr. Knox Beasley is a board certified dermatologist specializing in hair loss. He completed his undergraduate studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and subsequently attended medical school at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. 

Dr. Beasley first began doing telemedicine during his dermatology residency in 2013 with the military, helping to diagnose dermatologic conditions in soldiers all over the world. 

Dr. Beasley is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Originally from Nashville, TN, Dr. Beasley currently lives in North Carolina and enjoys spending time outdoors (with sunscreen of course) with his wife and two children in his spare time. 

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  • Dermatology Residency. San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium

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