With the plethora of hair replacement services advertised on television, in the newspapers, and online, more and more men are considering addressing their hair loss through non-surgical methods. There are many options for affordable hair replacement for men who have a good amount of hair left on the sides and back of their heads and who are not experiencing a rapid progression of typical male pattern baldness. The less hair a man has on his head, the more difficult it is to implement a successful hair replacement system.

Before continuing, however, it is worth saying that if affordable, permanent hair replacement can only be achieved through surgery. The most popular method is a hair follicle transplant where viable hair follicles are harvested from a section of hair-bearing scalp to the rear of the head and placed, one by one, into the bald areas. Over a period of six to nine months new hair will grow and cover the exposed scalp.

An alternate method would be alopecia reduction surgery in which the bald scalp is actually removed and the surrounding, hair-bearing scalp is pulled over the gap and reattached. These procedures cost anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000, carry some risk of complications, and involve a recovery period but the hair restoration achieved is permanent.

Whether as a consideration of cost or a desire to avoid a medical procedure, many men opt to have custom hairpieces or toupees crafted for their use or to investigate hair extensions. Both human hair wigs and synthetic hair extensions can create a natural looking head of hair, but there are maintenance procedures that must be observed with each method.

There are a number of factors that go in to the selection of a hairpiece that will be both serviceable and natural in appearance. Some basic information about the materials used in hairpieces and how they are constructed is essential in making a good choice.

The heart of any custom hairpiece is the base into which the hair is sewn. Polymer bases made of silicone or polyurethane are meant to imitate the appearance of human skin. These bases do not "breath" and they can be hot and uncomfortable. While durable, silicone cannot be dyed to accurately match the color of human skin. Over time, body acids will yellow polyurethane and thus shorten the effective life of the hairpiece.

Mesh bases are normally made from either woven nylon or knitted polyester. These bases tear easily and are vulnerable to damage from body acids. Still, mesh bases are the most popular choice for their ability to create a natural hairline and for their comfort during warm weather.