Many people have been trying to find out the reasons for hair loss for a long time. Opinions have been wide ranging, and most of them had been put forward without much proof. So people came up with all sorts of reasons as to why a person loses his hair - like reduced circulation to the scalp, dandruff or vitamin deficiency. There have also been those who have suggested that one loses his hair if he wears his hat for too long. However all such theories have been proved wrong.

Today, physicians have narrowed down the causes for hair loss to a combination of the following factors:

1. aging,
2. a hormonal change, and
3. hereditary reasons.

It has also been seen the sooner someone starts losing hair, the balder he will grow with age.

There are other reasons also which may lead to hair loss like trauma or burns. But those are not the regular reasons for hair loss.

Who can have a hair transplant?

Many people go through some sort of depression, or lose some of their self-confidence as their hairline starts receding. As a way out many of them consider a hair transplant. However, if you are also considering hair transplant surgery, you should know a few things first.

First of all, the results you hope to have may not be in accordance with what you actually get at the end of the operation. Make sure that you have a detailed conversation with your surgeon and have a thorough idea as to what to expect. It is better for you to understand that success in such operations has its limits and it would not be wise to expect anything beyond that.

Another thing that you need to keep in mind is that all the techniques employed for your hair replacement use your existing hair. The surgery merely tries to put your existing hair into more effective use. For you to qualify as a candidate for a hair transplant, you have to have hair at the back and side of your head. These areas serve as donor areas. These are the places from where the grafts and flaps are taken.

The methods

1. Follicular Unit Extraction
The most popular method of all the surgeries this technique involves the placing of grafts of 1-4 hairs into receptor sites. This allows a more or less equal distribution of hair. The result is that the new hair looks more natural. It also doesn't cause any scars to your scalp. Surgeons generally use local anesthesia to perform the operation.

2. Mini & Micrografting
A cheaper alternative to follicular unit extraction, it also requires less number of sessions for you to attend. The main reason why costs are reduced is because in this method the surgeon uses grafts of a larger size, usually about 8 hairs. The downside to this process is that it can leave a wound which might take more time to heal.

3. Strip Incision
One of the older and basic techniques of hair transplant, here hairs are transplanted from one region to another in the form of small strips. But it needs an incision. This has also reduced its popularity and the method has largely been replaced now by the mini & micrografting method.

4. Laser Grafting
This method uses laser to make the graft receptor sites. One of the disadvantages with this method is that it leaves too many scars on the scalp. Surgeons generally don't go for this method as it promises nothing more than the other methods.

5. Punch Grafts
If finances are a real concern, but you still want to go ahead with the process of a hair transplant you can opt for this technique where each graft can contain about 20 hairs. But the results are not generally great.

How important is the surgeon?

In case of a hair transplant operation the needs are more aesthetic than health-related. So, the surgeon who will be operating on you needs to have an aesthetic eye. It is not just about getting the operation done. Here success is dependent on how much the surgeon has been able to live up to what you were expecting.

Before you go for the actual surgery, you need to sit with your surgeon and work out the details. This would include the method of surgery employed and the kind of results you are expecting and actually how far will any operation fulfill your dreams.

Before deciding on a particular method you should also keep in mind your budgetary issues.

Once you have had your hair transplant, more often than not you will see most of your hair has disappeared in about 5 to 6 weeks. Although many of us get extremely worried, but the truth is that such a thing is part of the process. Hair should grow back in another 5 to 6 weeks. And this time it will remain there.