Non-surgical treatments for baldness
There are several treatments that are scientifically proven to treat baldness: Minoxidil, Finasteride, low-level laser, and platelet-rich plasma. These treatments only work where there is still hair.
Success of the treatment depends on an adequate medical accompaniment. It is very important to undertake a photographic follow-up in order to evidence progression. Since hair growth is very slow, results will only be noticed after the fourth month. This is why many patients desist from continuing the treatment after not witnessing immediate results. If there is no hair in the region treated, there will not be any response to the treatments, and the only alternative will be surgical hair restoration.
If baldness has existed for a long time, there might be a good initial response but it does NOT tend to be sustainable in time.
Medical treatment aims to preserve original, non-transplanted, or native hair from the areas that are genetically predisposed to fall, and is a complement to surgical hair transplant. It is as important as hair transplant itself.
Platelet-rich plasma
Hair bio-stimulation with growth factors
This treatment is performed by taking the patient’s blood in order to extract its growth factors that platelets have. These platelets are mixed with a series of amino-acids that help hair grow, and are suspended in hyaluronic acid. Such growth factors are injected in the scalp and are fixed to the hair follicle, where they make effect for up to 6 months.
Benefits of hair bio-stimulation
Platelets are blood cells that contribute to the coagulation process and are the source of multiple growth factors. When platelets become activate, they liberate all their growth factors. It is a safe and effective treatment, since all the work is done with your own blood. It can be used as a complement to topical and systemic treatments or as a complement to your surgical hair transplant because it:
- Accelerates the scar healing process
- Decreases the risk of infection
- Increases graft-survival rate
- Shortens resting time of the follicle, accelerating proliferation of hair in the recipient zone
- Makes the scar in the donor zone less visible
- PRODUCES HAIR REGENERATION OF 20% of the hair follicles extracted from the donor zone in patients treated with the 2rmd FUE method.
For androgenic alopecia it:
- Extends the anagen phase, that of hair follicle growth
- Doubles hair growth speed
- Increases hair fiber caliper
- Improves hair color
- Improves the coverage in treated areas up to 75%
- Increases capillary density in treated areas
- It is the only treatment that stops active hair loss in less than three weeks.
- Changes start to be noticed 6 to 12 weeks later. Hair will look brighter and thicker. These benefits will keep improving as usage continues.
Topical treatments
There are diverse and excellent formulas based on Minoxidil, which act by delaying hair loss and improving local circulation. Continued use shows goods results, but when associated to any systemic therapy they are much more effective. Shampoos are recommended when there are other factors that contribute to heir loss, such as seborrheic dermatitis.
Oral therapies
Finasteride is a highly effective medication to stop hair loss.
It acts by blocking the enzyme 5 alpha reductase, responsible for the conversion of testosterone into DHT at the hair follicle. Women at childbearing age must not use it. Results start to be noticed during the fourth month, reaching its maximum after 2 years. It is a medication that must be used under medical supervision.
There are medicines that are considered complementary to this treatment, mainly useful for women. It is the antiandrogens. They regulate the levels of testosterone produced by women. They must be administered under medical supervision.
Other treatments use dietary supplements rich in trace elements, which contribute to hair formation.
Láser
Laser functions by producing a type of light with the specific wavelength to reach hair follicles.
This light is captured by the cells in charge of producing hair and transform it into energy for their benefit. Hair will grow thicker and with a better quality. Around 3 sessions a week –of 15 minutes each- are necessary to notice results, which become evident 6 to 12 weeks later.
Hair will look thicker and brighter, and results will increase along with continued use. This is a scientifically-proven treatment, effective for treatment of hair loss in men and women. Laser sends out low intensity light which provides hair follicles with an additional source of energy. In this way, follicles will produce hair with a better quality. This is similar to the sunlight taken by tree leaves in order to obtain energy.
Laser phototherapy stimulates growth factor production in the cells. This will make hair follicles enter an anagen (growth) phase.
10 to 15 minute sessions must be done 3 times a week in non-consecutive days, and results will be noticed during the fourth month. It is necessary to continue the treatment in order not to lose the volume gained. Treatment is safe and effective, and does not involve any counter-indications. It is also very useful to accelerate scar healing after hair implant and in order to obtain faster results.
