ABOUT 50% OF MEN AND 20% of women are affected by hair loss.

Baldness in women is usually attributed to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. Male pattern baldness, which usually begins with a receding hairline or thinning at the crown, is hereditary.

Other factors that can cause hair loss are: high fever, infection, diet, medications, birth control pills, thyroid disease, child birth, and cancer treatments.

Fortunately, male pattern baldness is the easiest form of hair loss to correct.

Micro grafting is a sophisticated technique that has replaced the "hair plugs" that used to result in a 'dolls- head" appearance. Micro hair transplantation has also largely replaced topical remedies that claim to stimulate or restore hair growth.

Skin flap surgery and scalp reduction techniques can be used to fill in larger areas without hair. Skin flap surgery uses a piece of hair-covered scalp to replace bald scalp.

You do not need to wait until you are bald to begin micro-grafting.

Most micro-graft hair transplant procedures require only local anesthesia. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.

The "donor" area of your scalp (at the back or side of the head) is measured and trimmed to a short length. Using a scalpel, the donor hair is removed as a long strip of tissue, just deep enough to remove the skin and hair follicles.

Each micro-graft will generally contain one to three hairs. The micro-grafted hairs are implanted randomly in the bald or thinning areas so that they will grow to produce a natural result. The grafts are carefully placed at the correct angle, mimicking your original hair.

It is not necessary to glue or suture the grafts in place because the blood in the tiny incisions provides a natural "glue" that holds them in place.

After grafting, your donor scalp area is closed with sutures and your hair is combed over the area so the incision site is hidden. The sutures dissolve in time and the grafts themselves form little scabs that peel off in 1- 2 weeks.

Many people return to work within a few days after having micro-grafting.

After about 6 weeks, the transplanted hair will fall out and be replaced about three months later when new hair grows in. Several micro-grafting sessions may be needed to achieve the desired density.