Thinning Hair Treatment Update, for Men and Women

Beyond topical minoxidil (Rogaine) and oral finasteride (Propecia), we have some newer treatment choices such as low level light therapy and Neograft hair transplant.  Many of my patients will ask about shampoos and liquids that they purchased at the salon for hair loss.  If your budget is smaller, it is my opinion that your money is better spent on a topical like minoxidil or a low level light therapy that has years of scientific studies to support it's efficacy, whereas the shampoos containing DHT inhibitors or nutrients are unlikely to give as much improvement.

Low level red light has been shown to help thicken hair, and is featured in home devices like IGrow, LaserCap, Ultimate II Laser, and the HairMax Laser comb ($550-750).  It is a chronic or never ending maintenance treatment.  These devices are helpful for some people but are not going to give miraculous results, and may be better for maintenance of a more effective treatment.

Hair transplants have evolved to allow very natural results.  The days of "tree farm" like plugs are over.  The Gold Standard or leading hair transplant treatment procedure is called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is when small clumps of hair - one to four follicles - are taken from an area of the scalp where they are abundant, and transferred to where they are needed like the front or top of the scalp.  Some physicians will use the SAFE system, other the Neograft for FUE which permit more efficient transfer of the hairs.

I happen to use Neograft for FUE at my office.  In the past, traditional hair transplants would leave a linear scar in the back of the scalp which was often visible in a man wearing his hair short.  With the Neograft system we have no linear scar, and men can get a buzz cut post-transplant as desired.

See post "Who is a candidate for Neograft..."

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