The amount of hair you have as a youngster and the amount of hair you are destined to hold on to throughout adulthood is mostly genetically determined. Presently, it is impossible to predict exactly how extensive your hair loss will be over your life time. What we can do today is to intervene at any stage to attempt to stop further hair loss, but also to stimulate new hair growth. It stands to reason that the ideal time to intervene is when hair thinning or accelerating hair loss is first noticed.
Non-surgical options include:
Additional substances used to improve the hair growth cycle include minoxidil, cream, zinc, and natural oils. None of these will negatively impact your overall health and can greatly improve your damaged hair follicles without the need for a hair transplant.
The best scientific evidence for the use of PRP therapy today is hair growth stimulation. As a standalone treatment, it has shown, in a significant percentage of patients, to not only stop further hair loss, but also to stimulate dormant hair stem cells. To obtain PRP, the patient’s own blood is drawn and spun at high speed to collect a high concentration of the patient’s own platelets. These platelets contain over 300 growth factors, that, when activated, promote healing, increase blood flow and wake up and stimulate dormant hair follicle stem cells. PRP is injected at the depth of the hair follicles once a month for 4 times. Single booster sessions are recommended every 3 to 4 months. We like patients to avoid anti- inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, Naprosyn and aspirin before and immediately afterwards as these might impair platelet function.
Oral finasteride has shown to stimulate new hair growth in up to 80% of patients. Despite those glowing numbers, many are hesitant to take it because of a small risk of experiencing side effects, the most concerning of which is decreased libido, which is mostly but not always reversible. Low dose minoxidil has recently become a very popular approach.
Topical Rogaine has reigned supreme for decades because it has shown the best results among OTC hair stimulation products.
Sunetics Laser is the only FDA-cleared device to use LLLT, Low Level Laser Therapy, to stimulate and heal hair follicles and has no side-effects. Fotona has been significantly successful at stimulating new hair growth.
Multiple companies are now manufacturing at home LED hair stimulation devices, allowing the patient to add to their hair stimulation program in the privacy of their home.
Dormant hair follicles can be retrieved via a natural remedy. Start by applying topical products. Simply massage the scalp with a thorough mixture of essential oils and other safe substances. From there, simply apply medication in spray form or otherwise.
