We get this question a lot – is hair transplantation a cure for hair loss or a treatment? The difference between treatments and cures can get a little confusing so let’s break it down.
Treatments
Treatments are medications, therapies, or surgeries that help address the issue at hand. In this case, treatments like Finasteride, minoxidil, laser therapy, and PRP therapy address hair loss in individuals. These treatments may help prevent hair loss, slow its progression, or address an immediate concern (scalp buildup, infection, promotion of healing or growth factors, etc.).
Cures
Cures solves the problem at hand. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for hair loss at this time. There is some promising research, and scientists believe they’re close to curing baldness, but at the present time, the aforementioned treatments will have to suffice for those suffering from hair loss.
So which is hair transplantation – a treatment or a cure?
This is where it gets tricky. Despite what many believe, hair transplants don’t cure hair loss. They may solve the immediate problem at hand (filling in an area of baldness), but the root of the problem is not solved. In other words, your hair loss will progress through your native (non-transplanted) hair as you age despite getting a hair transplant. While you can rest assured the transplanted hair is here to stay (not effected by hair loss progression), if you only rely on hair transplantation to solve your hair loss woes, you’ll be playing a costly game of catch up for the rest of your life.
This is why we recommend a multi-method approach to addressing hair loss. Choosing an effective treatment to work alongside hair transplantation will extend the life of your hair and buy you more time before your next hair transplant.
If you’d like to find out more about hair transplantation and if you’re a candidate for this procedure, give us a call today.
Tag Archives: hair loss options
Baldness: what do your hair genetics say about you?
Our hair dictates a major portion of our appearance. No hair, full head of hair, thinning hair, curly hair, straight hair, dark hair, light hair – hair can change your look completely.
But can your hair change more about you than just your appearance? Like say, how you’re perceived by others? According to some new studies out of the University of Pennsylvania, it can.
These new studies researched the connection between the presence or absence of hair and how dominant individuals were perceived to be. Across the board, both men and women consistently rated bald men as more dominant than their hairier counterparts. Even going as far to perceive the men as stronger and taller.
Sound to be good to true? The same men and women who rated the bald men more dominant, taller, and stronger, also rater the bald men as less-attractive and older-looking overall. Darn. It seems balding men just can’t catch a break.
So, what have we learned? The presence or absence of hair greatly effects your appearance. It also effects how dominant and attractive others perceive you to be.
The take home? Ultimately, dominance and attractiveness are about being comfortable in one’s own skin. There are plenty of dominant full-haired men as well as plenty of attractive bald men. It’s all about your confidence.
If your baldness if weighing down on your confidence and self-esteem, you may want to consider your options. There are surgical and non-surgical options for restoring your hair and bringing back your confidence.
Give us a call today.
Smoking and hair loss
A new study claims that smoking can cause hair loss. While many have heard of the health dangers of smoking, many may not know about the link between smoking and hair loss.
Serious diseases and medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease are shown to be caused by tobacco use. New studies reported in the BMJ Journal have shown you can add hair loss to that list.
The many toxins in cigarettes are believed to be partly to blame. These toxins harm follicles, cause premature graying, and accelerate hair loss. This exact cause is believed to be due to the toxins’ damaging effect on hormones key to the production and health of your hair.
The reduction in healthy blood circulation is also to blame. Blood carries all of the nutrients your body needs. It transports nutrients to extremities and organs. When you smoke, your blood does not circulate as efficiently. This means extremities and organs don’t get the full nutrients they need. Scalp and hair follicles included.
While more research needs to be done, it’s clear that smoking isn’t good for your hair. In a study which evaluated hair health in smokers and nonsmokers, smokers reported having more thinning, graying, and hair loss than the nonsmokers did.
If you didn’t have enough reasons to put down the smokes, consider doing it for the health of your hair. For both men and women, healthy hair means higher self-confidence and a more youthful appearance.
If you’re wondering if smoking may be causing your hair loss, you should meet with an experienced and certified hair restoration surgeon. They can help you determine the cause of your hair loss through a comprehensive scalp analysis and biopsy.
The most important take-away: you have options. Give us a call today for a hair loss consultation.
