An average adult head has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs and loses up to 100 of them every day. While this is normal and not a cause for alarm, if you notice yourself losing more hair than this, it may be a sign of alopecia.
Hair fall may occur gradually or suddenly and may affect your whole body or simply your scalp.
Some hair loss types are permanent, while others are temporary. However, it is never too late to seek professional medical treatment once you notice an onset of this condition.
TREATMENTS AVAILABLE FOR HAIR LOSS AND GROWTH
The causes of hair loss in men vary widely, but androgenetic alopecia – genetically inherited, male pattern baldness – is most common cause. Male pattern hair loss are dependent on DHT (a form of testosterone, called dihydrotestosterone). Testosterone is converted to DHT by the enzyme, 5¤ -reductase. DHT appears to make the hair follicle deteriorate to the point where it can no longer produce normal hair. Some studies suggest that 30% of men will start experiencing Alopecia by age 30 and 60% of men will see hair loss by age 60.
Why Hair Transplantation?
1. Oral Hair Supplements
- Vitamin A, biotin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, iron, and zinc are important in hair growth. Protein supplements are essential for people with deficiencies in their daily protein requirement.
- Cyclical hair nutrition approach is very popular. These kits contain all the essential nutrition for the hair and are designed to avoid over dosage, proper absorption, nutrition balance and more.
- Omega 3 and omega 6 supplements provide essential nutrients and amino acids to the hair as well. They improve blood circulation and prevent hair follicle inflammation, thereby helping reduce hair fall.
- Eating right can solve a lot of our health problems at the start. So, while treating hair loss, it is important to inquire about patient’s dietary habits.
2. Prescription drugs
- Finasteride is a good prescription medicine option that inhibits the conversion of testosterone into 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is a hormone that contributes significantly to hair fall in men. Oral finasteride leads to increased hair growth and a decreased hair loss of the hair on the head. Hair growth on other parts of the body is not affected.
- For women, a good medication option is spironolactone. PCOD (polycystic ovary disease) can cause hair loss in women and needs to be treated – after few essential blood tests. For patients affected by thyroid health issues, it is important to visit an endocrinologist as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are both known to cause hair loss.
- Alternatively, Minoxidilcan be applied topically for female pattern hair loss and male pattern hair loss. It can also be used for hair loss due to hormones and age. It works better in women or men with a general case of hair thinning. If topical Minoxidil does not work, oral Minoxidil can be tried to stimulate hair growth with increased blood flow to the roots, after consulting your dermatologist.
3. Hair Mesotherapy
- In Microneedling technology, dermapen utilizes an advanced needle cartridge to pierce the skin vertically and induce hair growth by activating stems cells in the hair bulge region.
- At our Reborn Clinic, dermapen is passed over the scalp to create thousands of fine micro channels, followed by the application of peptides. This deeply penetrates the skin for renewed hair growth.
- This treatment is painless with no side effects and zero downtime.
4. PRP and GFC treatment
- Platelet Rich Plasma therapy refers to a process wherein an injection that is prepared with the patient’s blood platelets is administered to the affected scalp area to increase hair growth and prevent miniaturization of hair follicles.
- This allows for greater stimulation of hair follicles and boosts the hair growth factor.
- PRP is also used with hair transplant surgery to improve recovery and results. With this treatment, hair grows back thicker and the visibility of scarring on the scalp is also reduced.
- GFC is an advanced form of PRP, in which growth factor concentrate is prepared and injected into the scalp.
5. Hair transplant
- Hair transplantinvolves taking healthy hair follicles from one part of your scalp and transferring these to an area where you are impacted by hair loss.
- Two popular hair transplantmethods employed are Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
- Each may take several hours to complete, depending on the amount of work performed by the surgeon and on the severity of your condition.
- At our Reborn Clinic, we recommend Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) as the scarring in this process is relatively less and healing is faster. There is the minor discomfort that is usually associated with any type of surgery. We advise each patient on the best aftercare methods for quick recovery.
6. Scalp Micropigmentation
- Non-surgical, painless, and with zero downtime, Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) works similar to the traditional tattooing process.
- A non-allergic pigment is deposited into the epidermis with highly specialized equipment in thousands of tiny spots. This replicates the natural appearance of real hair follicles, giving a dense and fuller look.
- Scalp micropigmentation may be repeated two to three times every 20 days for best results that may last up to four years.
Some frequently asked questions regarding hair loss .
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS?
- All of the treatment options that we have covered so far can reverse hair loss or slow further thinning. We do like to remind my patients that results differ on a case by case basis.
- For safe hair loss treatments that bear good results, you should only seek the help of a certified medical professional.
NUMBER OF VISITS REQUIRED
- The answer to this question varies from patient to patient. In our experience, patients who face milder cases of hair loss may not need more than two or three treatment sessions.
- Similarly, a patient with a more severe case of hair loss may need multiple sessions before the treatment bears desired results.
- Do remember that hair fall treatments can be effective only if followed through on a regular basis per your dermatologist’s recommendations.
TYPES PF HAIRLOSS AND SYMPTOMS
It is advised to consult with a dermatologist as soon as you notice any symptoms. The hair specialist will help you to understand all the various treatments for hair loss. Hair fall can occur with different symptoms like
- Androgenetic alopecia(male pattern hair loss) – gradual and diffuse hair loss; can start from early twenties; hairline starts receding like letter ‘M’; hair loss is along frontal hairline, temples and on the crown gradually; left with hair only around ears, back and sides; sometimes complete baldness results.
- Female pattern hair loss– for some women, may start after menopause, but general and diffuse thinning can start early; hair thinning in central scalp, frontal forehead areas or broadening at where hair is parted.
- Alopecia areata– hair loss is sudden; circular, smooth bald patches appear; about 2.5 centimeters diameter size; affects scalp only initially but can extend to eyebrows, lashes and beard areas. Prior to hair-fall, tingling and itchiness may be present. Finger nails look pitted or ribbed.
- Alopecia totalis– hair loss is complete, all over scalp.
- Alopecia universalis– complete hair loss on body and scalp.
- Telogen effluvium– sudden and rapid hair shedding after a physical stress or mental trauma incidence; diffuse hair loss pattern occurring only in women. Handfuls of hair fall out when brushing, washing, or combing.
- Chronic telogen effluvium– alarmingly excessive hair loss of scalp upto 400-500 hairs can be lost per day ,persisting for more than 6 months and has a fluctuant course for upto 6-7 years,but without apparent cause.This severe thinning is seen in women in the fourth and fifth decade of life and results in prominent bitemporal recession.
- Anagen effluvium– when chemotherapy causes sudden and rapid hair loss; can be all over the body and scalp; reversible after stopping chemo.
- Cicatricial alopecia– caused by another medical condition; sometimes itchy rash develops with inflammation; hair follicles are completely permanently destroyed with scar tissue formation.
DIFFERENCE OF HAIRLOSS BETWEEN MEN & WOMEN
- As men age, they tend to lose the hair on top of their head in a pattern that leaves a ring of hair around the sides and patch of bare scalp on the crown. This is known as male-pattern baldness.
- In a case of female-pattern baldness, the hair in the front remains intact while the hair thins throughout the top of the scalp.
DIAGNOSIS OF HAIRLOSS
- Physical examination of the scalp.
- Patient’s family history of hair loss. Details of lifestyle habits and your medical history. Also, bring to their notice all the vitamins, medications, and supplements that you are taking.
- Depending on the extent of hair fall, few tests can be prescribed.
- Trichoscopy
- Hair pull test
HAIRCARE TIPS
We advise all my patients to avoid hair loss by:
- Eating a protein-rich diet
- Consuming Vitamin A, B, and E supplements
- Avoiding tight hairstyles
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding alcoholic beverages
- Keeping your head sweat-free
- Avoiding constant heating and drying of hair
- Limiting chemical exposure to the hair through hair color and similar products
- Staying hydrated through the day
- Reducing stress and restoring hormonal balance with meditation and yoga
To sum up, let us reassure you that hair loss is not as severe a problem as it may sound or seem.
Do not let this condition cause you to shy away from social engagements. There is hope on the horizon.
With the right hair specialist and precise treatment plan, you can restore hair growth and go back to flaunting your long, lustrous hair in no time.
Answer: Hair transplantation is really about relocating (transplanting) the bald resistant hair follicles from the back of the head to the balding areas on the top of the head. This process works for a lifetime because the hair follicles taken from the back of the head are genetically resistant to baldness, regardless of where they are relocated to.
Answer: Hair transplantation, when done right, can be so natural that even your hair stylist will not know that you’ve had it done. But the skill and techniques of hair transplant surgeons does vary widely, as do their results. It’s important to choose the right procedure and clinic to assure that you will get completely natural results.
Answer: A typical session of between 1,500 to 3,000 grafts normally involves a 4-8hrs of surgery on an out patient basis. Most patients will arrive in the morning and will have their procedure completed by late afternoon or by evening depending on the number of grafts.
Answer: Patients are given local anesthesia in the donor and the recipient areas. Most patients find that once the anesthesia is given that they feel no pain or discomfort during the surgery. Following surgery patients may feel some amount of soreness and numbness, with some mild discomfort. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how minimal the discomfort from the surgical procedure is.
Answer: The amount of grafts you will need ultimately depends on your degree of hair loss, now and in the future, and on how full you desire your hair to be.
Answer: With today’s very refined micro hair transplantation procedure the punches are very small and less invasive than past procedures. This results in more rapid healing. Most patients feel fine within a day or two following surgery. The donor area heals in 48 hours. Because of the scabs for although some numbness and mild soreness can be expected for several days following surgery.
Answer: Normally it takes between three to five months following surgery before the transplanted hair follicles begin to grow new hair. The transplanted hair grows in very thin initially and gradually grows thicker and fuller over time. Most of the patients are happy at the end of five months but improvement occurs till one year.
Answer: Since the hair follicles that are transplanted to the balding areas are genetically resistant to going bald, they will continue to grow for a life – just as if they had been left in the bald resistant donor area.
