Even though hair loss is something that affects most people at some point in their lives, we still have a strong social fear of going bald. This has led to an entire hair-growth industry brimming with foams, sprays, surgeries used to give you the "full, luscious locks you’ve been looking for."
It may be hard to believe that business people sometimes behave badly, but there are entrepreneurs in the hair-loss world that are just looking to make a quick buck off desperate, balding customers. Unfortunately, there are products and services that don’t come anywhere close to working—and in fact, some can be downright dangerous. If you’re in the market for a new head of hair, here are five approaches you’ll want to avoid.
- Scalp Reductions
This Frankenstein-esque procedure is referred to as alopecia reduction in the medical world. Scalp reduction takes a markedly gory and desperate approach to hair loss by literally slicing the bald spots right off your head and sewing the hairy patches back together. If you’ve got $5,000 to waste and don’t mind a doctor going Hannibal Lecter on your scalp, then this may be the perfect fit for you.
- All-Natural Supplements
Basically any herbal or all-natural supplements you find for hair restoration are going to be nothing more than glorified multivitamins. While it’s probably better to waste money on useless pills than a scalp reduction, ideally you shouldn’t be wasting your money on anything, right? These sorts of products may talk big, but they rarely have the scientific research to back up their claims.
- "Hair in a Can"
While canned-hair technology has made modest improvements in the last 20 years, you’d still be better off taking a good old-fashioned can of black spray paint to your head. For one, it’s considerably cheaper—spray-on hair can easily run $50 a can. Plus, considering the chemical nightmare behind hair in a can, spray paint is probably just about as safe to use as well.
- Comb-Overs
Donald Trump taught us that the only way to make a terrible person even more terrible is with a terrible comb-over. They may be cheap, and they may be safe, but the only person you’re fooling with a comb-over is yourself. Save us all that secondhand embarrassment and wear your bald spots with pride.
- Cheap Wigs
Unless you choose a wig that’s made out of actual human hair, it’s going to look like you’re wearing a wig. A high-quality hair piece can easily run more than $1,000, and most people don’t have the resources to spend that much on vanity products. Even if you do find a realistic-looking wig, people are still going to notice when you show up with a seemingly new head of hair overnight. Skip the wig and spend your money on something else.
