Eyebrows are more important than ever before! With todays fashion trend, its all about the thicker, fuller eyebrows. The quest for fuller brows has made eyebrow transplants a thing these days. Let’s talk about who would be a good candidate:
Eyebrow loss can occur in both men and women, leaving them unsettled and insecure about their facial appearance. After all, eyebrows frame the upper portion of the face and eye area making this region the first thing people look at. Brow loss is most commonly due to injury or trauma resulting in scars, hormone imbalance, hereditary, aging, yet over-tweezing making the top of the list! Less common factors may be due to an attack of the immune system such as cancer treatment processes like chemotherapy-which for some patients, can be the most emotionally difficult part of the process as hair loss can be a tell-tale sign of an illness present.
Every day people are applying makeup to recreate a new brow or filling in what they once had. Thinning or hair loss of the brow region from overplucking was a common trend in the 90’s, as that was the time overzealous plucking in earlier years often begin to show up as thinning or bald spots. Overplucked eyebrows are one of the most common causes people seek out transplants. More than ever, people are pulling out all the stops to hide the fact that they’ve lost their brows, and often times the hair won’t regrow on its own. Fortunately, there is a Cosmetic treatment now being used for a more long-term solution using modern microsurgical techniques.
Eyebrow Transplantation is a surgical procedure to permanently restore or customize the brows by taking hair from another part of the body such as the back of the scalp and transplanting it to the brow region to create the desired brow shape. This procedure is quite meticulous and takes artistic design for a successful procedure. However, if done incorrectly, can leave you with redness and scaring on the donor site as well as uneven patchy eyebrows.
As with all cosmetic procedures, the key to a natural-looking result is to fully research the surgeon of your choice to get a good idea of the doctors skill when it comes to eyebrow transplants or any kind of hair transplants for that matter. “I can’t stress enough how important it is that patients do their homework ahead of time in finding the right doctor, otherwise they might end up with a botched outcome,” says Dr. Yazdan -whose patients fly in from other areas to seek treatment at his Beverly Hills and Orange County offices. It bears repeating that careful planning and precise angulation of each hair is critical for a successful end result.
Restore the thickness and shape of your eyebrows by calling our office today!
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link
Tag Archives: hair loss treatment
PRP with A Cell and FUT procedure
PRP therapy is a hair loss treatment that can be done on its own or in conjunction with hair transplant surgery. PRP therapy is a procedure in which the patient’s blood is extracted, separated into blood and plasma factors, gets added components to aid in healing and hair growth, and then has the factors and components reinjected into the scalp.
In this case, the patient began PRP treatments during his FUT procedure. After the procedure, he had 2 more PRP treatments done in the course of a year. He now gets yearly PRP sessions to maintain and promote hair growth.
To read more about this patient’s FUT procedure click here. Below is a video detailing the patient’s experience and results with PRP therapy. If you’d like to learn more about PRP with A Cell treatments, give us a call today.
When is it time to start considering a hair transplant?
The best way to prevent hair loss is to catch it as early as possible. With information widely available on the internet, we’re getting more patients coming to us earlier in their loss. This is great news – since there’s more options available to treat hair loss the sooner the symptoms are recognized.
If you’re one of the growing number of individuals who have caught their hair loss early, you may be wondering when the right time to consider a hair transplant is. The timing of hair transplantation depends on a variety of factors such as age, stage of hair loss, family history of hair loss, cause of hair loss, and so on.
Below, we break a few of the most common contributors to determining your candidacy for hair transplantation to help you figure out the best time to start investing in your hair.
Age
It is not uncommon for individuals to begin noticing signs of hair loss in their early 20s. For these patients, we begin with exploring what we call medical maintenance options. Examples include laser treatment, PRP therapy, prescription medications, and over-the-counter hair loss solutions which can help protect the current hair, ward of future loss, and even reverse hair loss if its recent. We go to these routes first because starting a patient on hair transplantation at such an early age can cause them to have to get multiple surgeries through out their life to maintain their desired look, costing them lots of money and jeopardizing the health of their donor area.
Stage of hair loss
If hair loss is in its beginning stages, it may not be time for a hair transplant just yet. Hair transplantation is most effective in those patients who are in more progressive stages of hair loss. Those in early stages have many options for hair restoration outside of hair transplantation.
Cause of hair loss
There are many causes of hair loss. While the most common is age and genetics, side effects of medications or diseases are pretty common as well. If it is suspected that a medication or disease may be causing your hair loss, it is best to explore this cause more. In some cases, simply changing medications or treating a disease can eliminate the hair loss.
So, when is the right time for surgery? To determine the best time for hair transplantation it is best to meet with an experienced hair restoration surgeon who can do a full analysis of your hair loss and explore all of your options with you. If you’d like to find out if you’re a candidate, give us a call today.
Do I have to take a medication like finasteride if I want to get a hair transplant?
A common question we receive is regarding the use of finasteride before, during, or after a hair transplant procedure. Finasteride is a common drug that is used to treat or prevent hair loss. While it is a prescription-only medication that must be ordered by a doctor and is only given on a case-by-case basis, it often recommended to individuals who are experiencing progressing hair loss and are interested in getting a hair transplant procedure.
The reason finasteride is often recommended to hair transplant patients is because it can help prevent continued/future hair loss. This helps maintain the health of the current hairs on your head and prolongs the time you’ll have those hairs. Why worry about the health of your native hairs when you’re looking into transplanting new hairs anyways? If you don’t care for the surrounding native hairs, you will likely need another transplant to cover those areas much sooner than you thought – costing you more money over time.
While side effects of the drug are relatively rare, they are a concern for many individuals who are considering taking the medication, rightfully so. As with any medication that has side effects, both the doctor and the patient must decide together if the possible benefits of taking the drug outweigh the risk of the side effects.
If you decide that you don’t want to take finasteride, this doesn’t mean that you’re no longer a candidate for hair transplantation. What it does mean, is that your hair loss may continue to progress as you age, and you may need another hair transplant in the future to cover the new areas of hair loss.
Whatever you decide, make sure to thoroughly do your research and ask your physician any questions you might have.
Is coloring my hair causing it to fall out?
This is a common question we get from patients who enjoy coloring their hair regularly. Some individuals notice increased hair loss around their coloring sessions, while others have heard bad things about hair dye and are wondering if the damage could cause hair loss. The answer depends on a variety of factors.
The first factor is the current condition and health of your hair. If you have strong, healthy hair, then coloring your hair a few times a year will most likely not damage it so severely that you experience hair loss. While it is true that hair dyes can be harsh on the hair (even the most expensive kinds), if our hair is healthy in every other way, it is likely resilient enough to withstand some coloring. That being said, hair is like life in that everything is about balance and moderation. Coloring your hair frequently doesn’t allow the hair to regenerate and heal and over time can cause irreversible damage. Try going with a balyage style that requires little maintenance.
The second factor is what kind of hair coloring you are doing. Box hair dyes and bleach jobs are the worst options for your hair’s health. Bleach strips your hairs follicles, and if you have naturally darker hair, this can be extremely damaging. Box dyes are made of cheap ingredients and they sacrifice quality for price and time. If you’re going to color your hair, do it the right way, and spend the money on a professional. Salons are equipped with moisturizing sealants that help minimize the damage to your hair.
Thirdly, if you are prone to hair loss or have been experiencing it recently, lay off the dye until you track down the cause and find a working solution. Sometimes a change in medication or starting a new medicated shampoo is all it takes.
In conclusion, it’s possible that hair coloring may be contributing to your hair loss, but in most cases of healthy-haired individuals, this isn’t a problem. Just make sure you’re taking care of your hair and doing deep conditioning masks and getting trims as often as possible.
Why is PRP therapy so expensive?
The price of PRP treatments varies widely from office to office. Multiple factors can affect the price such as the components in the serum and the method in which the plasma is extracted.
Components are composed of added nutrients that increase collagen regeneration and other healing factors, aiding in hair regrowth. These components are added at the doctor’s discretion and have varying price ranges.
There are many ‘kits’ that can be used in the extraction and processing phase. These kits have varying tube sizes and routes of extraction, as well as centrifuges (machines that spin the plasma and separate the healing factors). The kits and centrifuges vary greatly in price and are rather expensive for good quality. While cost and quality is usually correlated, the pricing is ultimately up to the manufacturer. Until PRP treatments become more popular, the manufacturers will have ultimate say over the price.
While both components and kits determine the price of PRP, the doctors’ time and expertise typically account for the biggest fraction of the price. There are some procedures that involve little physician time and are relatively easy skill-wise; PRP is not one of these procedures. PRP therapy requires extensive expertise and time. The doctor has to utilize a concise method in order to ensure result which requires him to spend a lot of one on one time with the patient. With any procedure requiring constant physician time and skill, the price is likely to be higher.
If there is a drastically lower price (outside of specials) for a PRP treatment compared to that of similar establishments in your area, you should be being cautious of doctors cutting corners. If the price is lower, they may be going with lower quality components and equipment or outsourcing their time and expertise to technicians.
If you’re interested in learning more about PRP and pricing options, give us a call today.
Do you deep condition your hair?
Do you deep condition your hair? If not, you could be missing out on some great hair benefits. Deep conditioning involves soaking the hair in a serum treatment for a minimum 5 minutes up to overnight and can be done every time you wash your hair or just once a week. It’s a flexible, tailorable way to restore your hair’s luster, shine, health, bounciness, and hydration.
Deep conditioning your hair is the latest trend to keep your hair shiny, hydrated, and healthy. It’s simple and tailorable to your needs. Deep conditioning methods range from in-shower conditioners to leave-in’s to overnight treatments. You can even make your products at home by utilizing stuff in your kitchen (products like coconut oil, butter, eggs, and avocado make great deep conditioning mask ingredients!). Deep conditioning should be done as needed. For some, this is 5 mins in the shower every time they wash their hair, for others, this is a leave-in treatment overnight once a week. Deep conditioning can be done as much or as little as you need.
Below are some benefits to deep conditioning your hair on the regular.
Damage prevention. Deep conditioning your hair regularly helps prevent split ends and keep hair healthy and moisturized. The only way to treat split ends is to prevent them from occurring. So don’t skip out on the deep conditioning! It’s a crucial part to your hair care routine.
Moisturizing. If your hair has been feeling the heat or dryness lately, a deep conditioning mask could be just the thing you need. Due to the hair-loving ingredients and the extended soaking time, your hair is able to soak up the much-needed nutrients.
Adds shine and luster. It’s no surprise when your hair is hydrated it looks better. Giving your hair the nutrients it needs shows; your hair will be shinier and more lustrous.
Give deep conditioning a try today!
Does it matter who does your PRP therapy?
PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. PRP therapy refers to a treatment used to reverse or treat hair loss as well as rejuvenate skin on the face or other areas of the body.
PRP involves taking a small amount of your own blood and separating out plasma and other healing agents that stimulate cell turnover and collagen regeneration. PRP therapy works to stimulate hair follicles, promoting hair growth and reduce scarring and wrinkles on the skin.
While PPR has shown great results in balding and wrinkling individuals, it’s important to note that not all PRP treatments are created equal.
Due to the higher cost of PRP treatments compared to other hair loss or wrinkle reduction treatments on the market, we see many patients who ‘shop’ around in an effort to find the best deal in town. The problem with this is that when it comes to PRP therapy, you generally get what you pay for. Cheaper prices correlate to cheaper processing equipment and less doctor involvement which correlate to less efficacy.
See, PRP therapy is a very involved procedure that involves advanced hands on technique by the doctor as well as high grade equipment to efficiently and effectively separate plasma and added components for increased benefit. Cutting corners to save money means cutting crucial aspects of the therapy.
Therefore, it matters greatly who does your PRP therapy. You can’t expect to have the same great results we see with true PRP therapy if you choose a provider who uses subpar separating mechanisms, no added nutrients, and is minimally involved.
Keep this in mind when exploring providers for PRP therapy, especially when seeking PRP for hair loss.
If you’d like to learn more about PRP for hair loss or facial rejuvenation, give us a call today.
Medical conditions that cause hair loss
Hair loss can be caused by a variety of sources. Most commonly, hair loss is caused by androgenic alopecia or male/female pattern baldness.
But in some cases, hair loss may be caused by an underlying medical condition. There are many conditions that involve hair loss as a symptom.
In order to treat hair loss, you will first need to know what’s causing it. If a more serious condition is the culprit, you may need to treat the condition before the hair loss can be addressed. In some cases, the hair loss will resolve on its own as the condition is treated. In other cases, the hair loss may need to be treated alongside the condition.
But remember, your overall health and wellbeing is most important. Make sure to give the utmost priority to treating the medical condition, and only treat the hair loss as approved by your doctor.
Below is a list of the most common medical conditions behind hair loss. In most cases, a simple blood test or physical exam with your doctor can provide a diagnosis.
Thyroid disease/hormonal imbalance. Hormones play an integral role in the growth and development of scalp hair. When hormones become imbalanced (through thyroid disease or other causes), hair can thin, fall out, and stop growing.
Alopecia areata. This condition may sound similar to the common hair loss condition androgenic alopecia, but it is in fact much different. Alopecia areata involves the immune system mistakenly identifying hair follicles as foreign bodies and attacking and destroying them.
Folliculitis/infection. The scalp can become infected just like the rest of the body. Infections of the hair follicle (folliculitis) can cause patches of hair loss across the scalp.
Chronic illness. Any ongoing chronic illness can cause hair loss. When the body undergoes long-term damage, it must prioritize body processes. Because hair growth is not a crucial component to body functioning, it is often cut of nutrients first.
Medications. Hair loss is a common side effect of certain medications. Drugs used to treat such conditions as arthritis, depression, heart issues, high blood pressure, and even birth control and been linked to hair loss.
If you think your hair loss may be caused by a medical condition, you should meet with your doctor as soon as possible to be tested for potential diseases. Once a disease has been diagnosed or ruled out, you can begin the process of addressing the hair loss. You’re not alone. Give us a call today.
Do antioxidants grow hair?
We know antioxidants are good for our bodies. But are they good for our hair too? To understand the role antioxidants play in hair growth, we must first understand what they are and how they work.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants fight free radicals which are created as the body turns food into energy. Free radicals are dangerous due to their potential to damage human cells and in particular, genes.
There are many forms of antioxidants. The most common are found in food and are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, and magnesium.
Some scientific studies suggest that antioxidants found and consumed naturally through food may promote hair growth. This is believed to be because of antioxidants’ natural nutrient properties that are necessary for healthy body functioning. When the body is healthy and functioning properly, hair follicles are able to flourish and grow healthy, strong hair.
Below is a list of the best natural food sources of antioxidants.
Vitamin A – beef, chicken, eggs, dairy
Vitamin C – cantaloupe, orange, grapefruit, kiwi, papaya, mango, berries, watermelon, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green and red peppers, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, cabbage, turnips, spinach
Vitamin E – vegetable oil, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, leafy green veggies, fortified breakfast cereals
Beta-carotene – leafy green veggies, sweet potatoes, carrots, peaches, pumpkin
Selenium – butter, liver, shellfish, tuna, halibut, sunflower seeds, whole grains, brazil nuts, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast
Magnesium – leafy green veggies, bananas, avocados, dried apricots, almonds, cashews, peas, beans, seeds, whole grains
Incorporating more antioxidants into your diet through natural food sources will likely improve your overall health. When bodies are happy, healthy, and getting all the nutrients they need, they are able to nourish and promote secondary functions like soft skin and hair growth.
If you’d like to learn more about medical ways to grow your hair, give us a call today. Here at Modena, we specialize in alternative methods of hair growth as well as hair transplant procedures.
The best foods for preventing hair loss
Most of us desire to have thick, healthy, strong, lustrous hair. While there’s plenty of hair care products that claim to do this, and some even do a great job, you can’t beat treating from the inside out.
Nutrients and vitamins found in everyday foods can be super hair savers. These foods naturally contain ingredients often added to shampoos, serums, and over the counter treatments meant to help hair and prevent hair loss.
The foods below are nutrient-dense and have been shown to positively impact hair health and prevent hair loss over time.
Spinach – mineral deficiencies can sometimes be the cause of hair loss. Spinach is rich in iron, omega-3 acids, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. All great for hair health and overall health.
Greek yogurt – this thick, protein-rich yogurt is rich in vitamin B5. Vitamin B5 helps with blood flow throughout the body, which means more bloody supply to the scalp and hair follicles.
Salmon – salmon is full of omega-3’s which are inflammation fighters. In some cases of hair loss, inflammation can be the culprit.
Cinnamon – another anti-inflammatory which also improves circulation. Improved circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reaching your hair follicles.
Oatmeal – this breakfast-favorite is rich in iron, fiber, zinc, and omega-3’s. These nutrients are great for growing hair and improving its health.
Guava – did you know guava contains as much as 5 times more vitamin C than oranges? Vitamin C was proven in a recent double-blind study to help women with thinning hair improve thickness as well as hair growth.
Eggs – eggs are full of biotin which you may recognize from the vitamin aisle. Biotin is great for growing hair as well as strengthening fingernails and softening skin.
If you have been experiencing hair loss for some time, you may need a consultation with hair restoration surgeon to best explore your options. Give us a call today.
Hair transplant surgery as an investment
Here at Modena, we consider hair transplant surgery a personal investment. And it’s not just because we love what we do.
Hair transplant surgeries involve extracting hair follicles from a ‘donor area,’ (usually the back of the head) and transplanting them into the areas effected by hair loss, also known as the ‘recipient area.’
These transplanted follicles have a very unique trait: they’re permanent. Yep, you heard that right. These transplanted grafts are not subject to the same hair loss the previous recipient zone was. This is because the hair follicles are native to the healthy ‘donor area’ that is not effected by the hair loss.
One thing we’re always sure to explain to our patients is that there is no cure for hair loss. If you’ve been experiencing hair loss thus far in your life, your more than likely to continue experiencing it throughout your life.
This means that while your hair transplant results are permanent, you may see continued hair loss in the native surrounding hairs. For these individuals, multiple hair transplants may be necessary over time to maintain the desired look of the hair.
While we can’t count on our native hair to stick around, we can count on our transplanted hair to. We love to give our patient’s one less thing to worry about. When considering a hair transplant surgery, you don’t have to worry about throwing your money down the drain. Your hair transplant surgery will be an investment that will keep the youthful, healthy appearance of your hair throughout your life.
If you would like to make a personal investment in your hair, give us a call today. We specialize in multiple methods of hair transplant procedures and hair restoration methods.
*Please note that all individual hair transplant results vary case by case. Results are not guaranteed. Schedule a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon to get an idea of your potential results.
How to prepare for your hair transplant consult
So you’ve decided you want to find out more information about hair transplant surgery. Consultations are the best way to find out more about hair restoration procedures. Most importantly, consults are how you obtain hair transplant price and grafts quotes.
Make sure you get the most out of your consult by preparing for it.
First, do your research.
Make sure that you’ve researched your potential hair transplant surgeon. Are they qualified and experienced? Are they certified by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons? These questions will help you ensure that you’re placing your hair in the right hands.
Additionally, your surgeon should have plenty of before and after photos as well as reviews. These will help give you an idea of their skill ability and what outcomes may be possible for you.
Second, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
There are many methods and techniques in the field of hair restoration. Will your surgeon be doing the procedure by hand or machine? Will the doctor be present throughout the procedure or will a technician be doing the work? What size punch tools will be used? What is his/her success rate for graft survival in hair transplant surgeries? These questions will shine light on the doctor’s process and inform you what to expect.
Third, consider the cost-benefit analysis.
Cheaper is not always better. While a lower price for hair transplant surgery sounds ideal, you often get what you pay for. Most cases of botched hair transplant surgeries come as a result of cutting costs (via traveling abroad for surgery or choosing someone with inferior credentials). While you may save money in the short-term, you’ll end up spending more long-term to fix the botched surgery.
If you’re ready for a hair transplant consult, give us a call today!
I’m only 19, why am I balding?
This is a common question we receive here at Modena Hair Center. Many individuals, men in particular, wonder why they are experiencing balding in their teenage years or early 20’s.
Balding at an early age can cause confusion and embarrassment. While most men experience balding as they mature into their 30’s and 40’s, it is not uncommon for men to experience balding as soon as they become adults.
The age at which men experience balding is highly influenced by genetic factors. If the men in your family experienced early balding, you are likely to suffer the same fate.
While genetics play a big role, it is still possible for you to bald at an early age without having a family history of the trend.
Luckily, noticing your hair loss early on is beneficial. Men are more likely to notice and deal with their hair loss if it impacts them at an earlier age. Dealing with hair loss at the first sight of symptoms is the best way to reverse hair loss while also preventing continued and future hair loss.
Dealing with hair loss in the early stages
When hair loss is noticed in the early stages, it is more likely to be reversed. Additionally, the individual’s effort is more likely to prove successful at warding off future hair loss.
When you notice hair loss right away, you have likely caught the condition before the hair follicles have died. This is great news because once a hair follicle dies there is no bringing it back to life. That means that once that hair follicle dies, that hair loss is permanent.
If you catch the hair follicles before they have died, you can utilize medical management methods to restore your hair, reversing the hair loss. Examples of effective medical management tools are medication, topical solutions, specialized shampoos, laser therapy, and PRP therapy.
These medical management tools can not only help to reverse recent hair loss, but will prevent future hair loss as well. This prevention will be the key to maintaining and protecting your hair.
If you’re experiencing hair loss and would like to find out more about your options, give us a call for a consultation today.
Hair loss procedures to avoid
Many individuals who are experiencing hair loss may not yet be ready for a hair transplant surgery.
A large portion of balding individuals fit into this category. Many women, those with diffuse thinning hair loss, and young men who have just begun balding discover they are not candidates for hair transplantation at this time.
Thankfully, there are many other hair restoration options available to them. Prescription medication, over the counter topical medications, specialized shampoos, laser therapy, and PRP therapy, to name just a few.
Upon consultation with an experienced hair restoration surgeon, the best course of treatment can be determined for your specific type of hair loss.
But with all of the great, safe, and effective medical science advancements we’ve had in the field of hair restoration, there has also been some not so great, not so safe, and not so effective hair restoration techniques that have become available.
Below is a list of some hair restoration procedures you should avoid. These procedures have not been shown to be effective. Rather, they’ve been shown to cause more damage than good. Keep in mind that while minimally invasive, hair restoration is still a medical procedure. Safety and effectiveness should be held as top priorities.
Hair flap procedure. The hair flap procedure is a serious medical surgery done in a hospital setting. It involves partially cutting a portion of the scalp on each side of the head. The scalp is still attached to the head on one side. The unattached sides are twisted and rotated so that the hair-filled piece of scalp is now covering the area of baldness. The scalp is sewn done in this position. The problems with this procedure are many, but most importantly, an unsightly ‘knot’ or ‘bulb’ is left to scar over on each side of the head. This is not cosmetically appealing. The patient trades in severe and visible scar tissue for a few more strands of hair. Additionally, this procedure is dangerous and not recommended by experienced U.S. hair restoration surgeons.
Linear graft transplant. This procedure involves transplanting grafts in a trench technique. The doctor or technician extracts grafts through scalp incision and transplants them in trenches created across the hairline and scalp. While this method is easier on the surgeon or technician, it leaves behind long scars across the scalp. Additionally, the end result does not look natural or appealing because hair doesn’t naturally grow in straight trench-like lines.
Square/Round graft transplant or Hair plug transplant. Hair plugs or square/round graft transplants are an outdated way of transplanting hair. This method produces an unnatural plug-like grouping of hairs across the scalp.
Does laser therapy for hair loss actually work?
Laser therapy for hair loss involves using red light to promote hair growth, prevent future hair loss, and reverse recent hair loss. Laser therapy can be done in your doctor’s office or at home via special hats, brushes, and combs.
While laser therapy sounds like a great, convenient way to prevent and reverse hair loss, does it actually work?
Because there are so many brands and versions of laser therapy for hair loss and so little market regulation, there are many laser therapy tools that are just plain ineffective.
For example, in order for the red laser light to be effective at promoting hair growth, it needs to be on the scalp for approximately 20-30 minutes at a time. Tools like brushes and combs are not held on the scalp, rather moved and swept throughout the hair. In addition, most people spend less than 5 minutes brushing their hair per day. This is not enough time nor direct scalp contact to be effective.
Because there are so many options and brands available and so little market regulation, it’s difficult to know if the tool you’re buying is even made to work. Just any ol’ red laser light isn’t going to be effective at promoting hair growth. It needs to be the right laser light levels in the right places. A simple google search will pull up over 20 “top” brands for laser therapy on the market today. What’s important to keep an eye out for is FDA approval. Most of the “top” brands are not FDA approved. This means their safety and effectiveness is not researched, proven, or corroborated. Make sure the brand you choose is FDA approved, thoroughly researched, and recommended by hair restoration surgeons.
Here at Modena, our favorite laser therapy method for hair loss is Capillus laser caps. Capillus is the only FDA approved laser hair cap on the market. It’s easy to use and effective when used consistently. Capillus has no known side effects and has a high success rate. Best of all, its 100% portable.
If you’d like to learn more about Capillus and laser therapy for hair loss, and see if you’re a candidate for this hair loss treatment, give us a call today for a free consultation.
What you need to know about Rogaine
What is Rogaine?
Rogaine or Minoxidil as it’s known generically, is a topical medication used to treat hair loss caused by androgen alopecia. Androgen alopecia is also known as male or female pattern baldness. It occurs due to many factors such as age and genetics.
Minoxidil works by widening hair follicles. This creates a thicker hair strand which gives a fuller, denser look to your hair. It also lengthens the time your hair is in the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. During the anagen phase, your hair develops in the follicle and grows longer. A prolonged anagen phase means more and longer hair growth.
What you need to know about Rogaine:
Rogaine is effective in approximately 40%-60% of individuals who use it. In order to see these results you must use the medication as instructed, daily and consistently.
Rogaine must be used indefinitely to keep up results. It is not a cure to hair loss, rather a treatment method. This means that you must continue using it, even after seeing your desired results, in order to keep your hair from reverting back to previous or worsened hair loss.
While adverse or allergic reactions are rare, they are a potential risk factor. Side effects include itching, burning, redness, and irritation. Some individuals have reported an increase in hair loss symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms after using Rogaine, discontinue use immediately. But in general, minoxidil is safe and effective when used properly.
Minoxidil is a great tool, but don’t expect a miracle. Rogaine is a great tool when it comes to maintaining hair, preventing future hair loss, promoting hair growth, as part of a medical management of hair loss plan, recovering from hair transplant surgery, or reversing recent hair loss. But, it is not going to regrow or reverse years of hair loss. Once a hair follicle has died, there is no bringing it back to life. If you have been experiencing hair loss for some time, Rogaine on its own is not going to treat your hair loss. You most likely will need a more aggressive approach to restoring your hair. It is often beneficial when coupled with hair loss medications, hair transplant surgery, and alternative methods of hair restoration such as PRP and laser therapy.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy for hair loss
To understand how PRP therapy is used to treat hair loss, we must first understand how PRP works.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy is a treatment that involves utilizing platelets and plasma from your blood to decrease inflammation, promote healing, and stimulate new cell regeneration.
You can read more about how the platelets and plasma are extracted here.
Anyone familiar with this type of treatment may think it sounds familiar to other types of treatments, such as, stem cell injection. PRP therapy is very similar to stem cell injection and similar treatments. Additionally, PRP therapy sometimes goes by different names. The different names used for these types of treatments are given to them based on the technique, method, or additives used. But in general, they all involve extracting cells from the blood and reinjecting them into the desired area.
Additives that promote healing are sometimes added to the platelets and plasma concoction to increase results. This usually carries an additional cost.
PRP therapy can also sometimes involve the use of dermarolling or microneedling upon request. Dermarolling or microneedling is a technique in which the cells are reinjected evenly and dispersed throughout the recipient site utilizing a multitude of small needles. It is believed that the small wounds made by the dermarolling or microneedling allow the cells to penetrate deeper, encourage collagen production, and boost the speed and effectiveness of the results.
PRP therapy is most commonly used on the face and scalp. But it can be used on any part of the body that has scar tissue, inflammation, pigmentation, or wrinkles.
When used on the scalp, PRP regrows hair by decreasing inflammation around the hair follicle and promoting healthy cell regeneration. This treatment works to jumpstart the cells and follicles on the scalp and reset the hair growth cycle.
This treatment is ideal for those who have diffuse hair loss or thinning, those who have just begun noticing signs and symptoms of hair loss, and those recovering from hair transplant surgery.
If you’d like to learn more about PRP therapy, and find out if you’re a candidate for these treatment, give us a call today.
