Hair Loss Treatments and Laser Hair Restoration

We understand the pain of waking up one day to realize that your hair is not as full and thick as it once was and more so for people dealing with a significant amount of hair loss. As usual, we want this article to be short and easy to digest so no fluff and fillers but with all the pertinent info you need. Let us take a look at the different types of Hair Loss treatments and why we favor Laser Hair Restoration as the proven method to address hair loss.

Initial vs. Advance Treatment of Hair Loss

We've separated hair loss treatments in two. Initial and Advance.

Initial Treatment:

Minoxidil and Finasteride

Medications (like Minoxidil and Finasteride) are usually the first option that people use in order to address their hair loss issue.

Advantages:

1. Ease of Use: Both Minoxidil and Finasteride are generally easy to use. It's either taken as a pill or as a topical solution.

   - Minoxidil most commonly used as a topical solution that you apply on your hair which helps stimulate hair growth.

   - Finasteride most commonly used as an oral medication that works by blocking the hormone (DHT) responsible for hair loss.

Disadvantages:

1. Prescription required: Finasteride is available by prescription only, which means it requires a consultation with a healthcare professional or a dermatologist.

2. Potential side effects: Finasteride can cause side effects in some individuals, such as decreased libido and erectile dysfunction while Minoxidil can have side effects such as scalp irritation and itching.

3. Limited Effectiveness: Both Minoxidil and Finasteride isn't really suitable if you have complete hair loss, meaning that the hair follicles are gone and no longer show any signs of activity. Treatment time is usually 4-6 months and if you do not notice any meaningful results then it's time to progress to an advance treatment option.

Advance Treatment:

1. Hair Transplant

Hair transplant is the process of removing hair follicles from one part of the body and transplanting them to the balding areas.

Advantages:

1. Natural appearance: Modern hair transplant techniques, such as follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE), allow for the transplantation of individual hair follicles, resulting in a natural-looking hairline and overall appearance. Skilled surgeons can strategically place transplanted hair to match the natural growth pattern and direction.

2. High success rates: Hair transplant surgery has a high success rate as long as it is performed by an experienced surgeon. The transplanted hair follicles typically establish blood supply and begin to grow new hair within a few months after surgery.

3. Customizable results: Hair transplant surgery allows for customization of results based on the individual's preferences and goals. Surgeons can adjust factors such as hairline design, hair density, and distribution to achieve the desired outcome.

Disadvantages:

1. Cost: Hair transplant surgery is the most expensive option here, especially when considering factors like surgeon fees and facility costs. Costs also vary depending on the reputation and experience of the surgeon and with regards to Hair Transplant results, you get what you pay for.

2. Invasive: Hair Transplant is a surgical procedure, meaning that it is an invasive procedure, and some degree of scarring is inevitable.

3. Risk of complications: Like any surgical procedure, hair transplant surgery carries a risk of complications, such as infection, bleeding, swelling, and numbness.

4. Limited donor hair: The success of hair transplant surgery depends on the availability of donor hair, which is typically harvested from the back or sides of the scalp. In individuals with limited donor hair or advanced hair loss, achieving marginal results may be challenging.

5. Time-consuming process: Hair transplant surgery is a time-consuming process, both in terms of the procedure itself and the recovery period. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve desired results, and the full outcome may not be evident until several months after surgery.

6. Not suitable for everyone: Hair transplant surgery may not be suitable for everyone, particularly individuals with certain medical conditions, unrealistic expectations, or insufficient donor hair. A thorough evaluation by a qualified surgeon is necessary to determine candidacy for the procedure.

2. Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)

Scalp micropigmentation is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that involves tattooing tiny dots on the scalp to mimic the appearance of hair follicles. This technique creates the illusion of a full head of hair and is especially useful for individuals with hair loss.

Advantages:

1. Immediate results: Scalp micropigmentation provides immediate results, with the appearance of a fuller head of hair or a defined hairline achieved soon after the procedure.

2. Non-invasive: SMP is a non-invasive procedure that does not require surgery or incisions.

3. Versatility: SMP can be customized to match various hair colors, styles, and skin tones, allowing for personalized results that look natural and blend seamlessly with existing hair.

Disadvantages:

1. Purely Aesthetic: While SMP does offer the appearance of having hair, it does not stimulate hair growth or grow any hair so a balding area will still feel bald/devoid of hair.

2. Fading/Discoloration: Over time, SMP pigments may fade unevenly, resulting in an unnatural appearance or discoloration, requiring periodic touch-ups to maintain the desired appearance.

3. Limited effectiveness for advanced hair loss: SMP is most effective for individuals with minimal to moderate hair loss or thinning. It may be less effective for those with advanced hair loss or large bald areas, as SMP cannot create the illusion of actual hair growth in completely bald areas.

4. Potential for allergic reactions: While rare, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to the pigments used in SMP. It's essential to undergo a patch test before the procedure to identify any potential allergies.

3. Laser Hair Restoration

Laser Hair Restoration has gained immense popularity as an effective treatment for hair loss and is often chosen as an alternative to Hair Transplant. This non-invasive procedure uses Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) which is aimed at thinning hair or bald spots. The light energy (laser) is absorbed by the hair follicles, stimulating cellular activity and increasing blood flow to the scalp. This, in turn, promotes hair growth and strengthens existing hair.

• Advantages:

  1. Non-invasive: Laser hair restoration is a non-invasive procedure that does not involve surgery or incisions. It uses low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to stimulate hair follicles without causing damage to the skin or surrounding tissues.

  2. Minimal Discomfort: Laser hair restoration generally produces only mild discomfort during and after treatment.

  3. Stimulates hair growth: Stimulates hair follicles by increasing blood flow to the scalp which promotes cellular activity. This stimulation can lead to thicker, healthier hair growth over time.

  4. Safe: Laser hair restoration is considered safe when performed by qualified professionals using FDA-approved devices. It also does not carry the risks associated with surgical procedures or medications.

• Disadvantages:

  1. Variable results: Laser hair restoration can vary from person to person, and it usually depends on factors such as the underlying cause of hair loss, the severity of hair loss, and individual response to treatment. It may be more effective for some individuals than others.

  2. Time-consuming: Achieving noticeable results with laser hair restoration typically requires multiple treatment sessions over a period of several months. Consistency and patience are key, as it may take time to see significant improvement in hair growth.

  3. Maintenance: To maintain results, ongoing maintenance treatments may be necessary after the initial treatment phase.

Why Laser Hair Restoration?

We favor Laser Hair Restoration as our treatment of choice for Hair Loss as it is an advance treatment to hair loss once the initial or first line treatment ceases to provide results (medications). It is non-invasive as it is not a surgical procedure, meaning less down time, less side effects, less complications and cost is much lower compared to Hair Transplant. It also stimulates Hair growth and is not just a purely aesthetic solution unlike Scalp Micropigmentation. It is a safe option as we have qualified experts administering the treatment and we only use the highest quality Laser Devices (FOTONA) that is available in the market today.

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