Gone are the days when a wig could be spotted from a mile, giving away the fact that all was not well on the hair front. Today wigs made from artificial or real hair, and kept in place by adhesives, look as natural as real hair.

Another remedy that has its share of takers as well as critics is the one which involves braiding or weaving synthetic or human hair into the existing hair. This is an expensive process and can cost up to $ 2,500.

The American Hair Loss Council recommends that this procedure be used by people who have plenty of healthy hair on their head and not by those who want to cover their thinning assets. It further cautions that "hair intensification" should be done only for a few weeks.

The council has several reasons for giving this advice. The first is that people who execute this process very rarely have a medical background. Two, and what's more important, is the fact that this process involves introducing a foreign body into the scalp and that always leaves scope for allergies and infections. Three, it makes cleaning the scalp difficult and puts stress on the normal hair which may cause it to break.

Hair pieces or toupees seem to have lost favor with the present crop of bald men. This is more so because most of them are so badly made that they make a nest look good. A good toupee is a work of art and very difficult to spot. If you want to sport one, and it is a great idea to, you must first consult someone who makes it and seek a customized solution. Off-the rack toupees do not work because there is no such thing as off-the-rack baldness.

Another thing you need to keep in mind is that in the long run synthetic toupees are better because while they look natural, they are far easier to clean and can weather wind, water and sunshine much better than the ones that use natural hair. Good toupees begin around the $1,000 category though lower priced toupees are available too

For cosmetic remedies you need to try the salons. If you have thinning hair, cutting it really short will make your hair look fuller and less patchy, and will be easier to maintain. When you have long, thin hair, it bunches up exposing large sections of the scalp.

Your barber could have a few tricks up his sleeve as well. Most often he will not cut the hair in the regions that surround the patch. This way it grows long and covers the adjoining spot. Keep that in mind while combing your hair too. If your hair is thinning at the crown of the head, keep the back short; if you still have reasonably thick hair on the top of your head, grow it long and cover the bald spot.

So whatever the state of your crowning glory, wear it with pride. That's the way to look good.