Nonsurgical Hair Restoration Techniques
Millions of men and women are unfortunately familiar with the debilitating effects of genetic hair loss. While hair transplants can provide balding patients with restorative and transformative results, a one-size-fits-all approach using hair transplantation surgery does not allow customized treatment for each patient. Not every hair loss patient will be an ideal candidate for hair restoration surgery, nor does every hair loss patient want to undergo an invasive hair restoration procedure.
At Arocha Hair Restoration and Transplant Center, we understand that sometimes a nonsurgical option can yield the best treatment for the right patient. By exploring nonsurgical and even noninvasive methods for hair restoration, we offer comfortable and simple treatments to our patients wishing to avoid surgery and the downtime that comes with it.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Androgenetic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss that is usually referred to as male or female pattern baldness, develops during aging as a result of hormonal effects. The male androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is responsible for choking out active hair follicles in both men and women, although studies are ongoing to determine exactly how it disrupts the hair’s growth cycle. While medications like Rogaine and Propecia are commonly sought after to treat the symptoms of hair loss, some patients are instead interested in attacking androgenetic alopecia at its source via hormone therapy.Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment intended to correct hormonal imbalances that develop for both middle-aged women and men during menopause and andropause respectively. Estrogen plays a large role in female hair growth, and expecting mothers experience a noticeable and enviable increase in hair density and thickness due to the higher production of estrogen during pregnancy. Using HRT, women can increase their estrogen and progesterone levels with prescription pills or creams to produce thicker, more youthful hair.
Male HRT focuses on supplementing the body’s slowing production of male sex hormones with additional testosterone, correcting commons symptoms of andropause like a lowered libido, irritability and muscle loss. While female HRT creates a noticeable improvement in hair growth due to an increase in estrogen levels, male HRT can actually be detrimental to hair growth by increasing testosterone levels and producing more harmful DHT in the scalp. Men interested in nonsurgical hair restoration methods should not consider HRT as a viable option, although it may still be a beneficial treatment to target other age-related concerns.
Female HRT can produce effective results in hair restoration; however, the treatment is not intended to be primarily for hair loss. Women interested in undergoing HRT should discuss their hair loss and hormonal imbalance symptoms with their doctor to learn more about potential risks and to determine if they are good candidates for the treatment. You should always consult with your physician to determine if this is the correct therapy for your individual case.
Advanced Hair Loss Treatments
For both male and female patients interested in nonsurgical hair restoration methods, Dr. Arocha provides more advanced options. Advanced Therapy utilizes the abundance of growth factors and hair-thickening nutrients present in the patient’s own body to rejuvenate aging follicles. When used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes hair loss medication, advanced therapy can combat thinning hair and fight androgenetic alopecia.LLLT is a relatively new hair restoration procedure that warms the scalp using red laser light to increase blood flow and nutrients in the treated area. With the LaserCap® LCPRO®, patients can take their hair restoration treatments home with them for ease and simplicity of use. Wearing the LaserCap® for 30 minutes at a time three days per week has been shown to promote hair growth without the need for invasive or uncomfortable procedures. LLLT is especially beneficial for patients who are not candidates for hair transplantation surgery or would like to stay at the forefront of hair restoration treatments.
