There are many hair loss treatment on the market. Some of them are topical and come in the form of a liquid, foam, or serum that you apply to your scalp daily. Others are surgical procedures, like FUT or FUE, that involve removing a strip of skin and reinserting follicles in the bald area of your head.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical treatment that stops hair loss and stimulates new growth. It is typically used twice a day and needs to be applied consistently for six months before it begins to show results.
It works by causing dormant hair follicles to enter the anagen phase of the hair cycle. It also increases blood flow to the scalp, which can help to supply your hair with the nutrients it needs.
It is normally prescribed by a dermatologist after a face-to-face consultation. It can be very effective for both men and women who have gradual hair loss (thinning at the top of their head). People can buy it in lotion, liquid or foam form and it is normally applied to the scalp, often using an applicator to ensure a uniform application.
PRP
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentration of blood that contains more platelets than normal. These platelets secrete growth factors that promote tissue healing and cell regrowth. Doctors use PRP injections to heal musculoskeletal injuries like torn tendons. In some cases, they also inject it into the scalp to treat hair loss.
A variety of doctors are now using PRP for hair loss, though more research is needed. In studies, they’ve found that PRP injections reduce androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness.
For this procedure, your healthcare provider will draw a small sample of your blood and put it in a centrifuge machine. This spins the blood quickly to separate the platelets from other parts of the sample. Doctors will then prepare the platelet-rich plasma for injection.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, is a modern hair transplant technique that involves moving individual hair follicles from one part of your scalp to the area where you’re losing your hair. This helps to give you a fuller head of hair and can improve the appearance of thinning or balding areas.
FUE is less invasive than the classic follicular unit transplantation (FUT) surgery, which takes a strip of skin with follicles from the back of your head. This leaves a long linear scar that can be visible when you wear your hair short.
Our Upper East Side celebrity plastic surgeon uses a small punch tool to carefully extract each intact follicular unit, which regulates hair growth. This technique requires great skill and attention to detail to avoid cutting the follicles too aggressively and causing them to die, a process called transection.
Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)
FUT hair transplant surgery is ideal for men and women with androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness). You must have enough existing hair to serve as grafts in order for this surgical option to work.
During a FUT procedure, a surgeon cuts a strip of skin from the scalp in the donor zone, typically located on the back or side of the head. Afterward, the strip is sewn together and your own hair will conceal the scar.
Your Bosley physician and medical team will then prep your follicular unit grafts for placement in the thinning areas. Using their experience and artistic skill, they will strategically place each individual follicular unit to achieve density and a natural-looking hairline. These follicles will be nourished by their blood vessels and eventually grow hair.
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI)
In DHI, hair follicles are extracted one by one using a specialised tool and then loaded into an implanter tool called the Choi Implanter Pen, which then implants them directly into your scalp. The channel creation and the implantation are done at the same time, which provides greater precision to the surgeon while implanting, as well as more control over the angle and depth of your new hair.
DHI offers the same natural results as FUE but leaves minimal to no visible scars on the donor and recipient areas. It is also a quicker procedure that requires less sessions to achieve your desired results.
Post-operation care is similar to that of FUE and includes following your doctor’s instructions on how to maintain your new, healthy hair growth.
