Hair Loss and Other Disasters - A Guide to Proper Hair Care
Hair LossMen and Women tend to lose their hair due to hormonal changes in the body that are triggered at a certain age (different, dependent on genetics). The difference is caused by the individuals' metabolism of androgen in the body that brings about hair loss.
Androgen is the male hormone that is important in both, hair loss and hair re-growth. This metabolism of androgen interacts with an enzyme called alpha 5 reductase. Alpha 5 reductase tends to combine with the male hormone, called testosterone, and gives DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). This DHT is the natural metabolite of the human body that is the main reason for hair loss.
There are 4 common ways to battle hair loss, and maintain/re-grow hair:
Option 1) Scar-less Hair Transplants
How it works: "Men, particularly younger men, are often nervous about having a hair transplant because they don't want a scar in the back of their heads in case they ever want to wear it short," says Dr. Halaas. Compared to the "strip method," follicular unit extraction (FUE) avoids a scar because grafts are harvested one at a time with tiny punches that heal virtually undetected so you can still buzz your head. "There are two ways of harvesting grafts: manually by the doctor, and automatically by a machine that speeds up the incision-making process but might be less accurate," says Dr. Halaas. "It takes longer to graft individual hairs and costs more, but it reduces healing time with an 80 percent re-growth rate." That's comparable to the results seen with the strip method, where re-growth rates are about 90 percent.
The Cost: It depends on how many grafts you have taken, but each graft is around $7 and the average procedure is between 1600 and 2200 grafts.
Option 2) Cell Therapy
How it works: Called platelet rich plasma (PRP), the technique is just starting to be used for hair restoration even though it has been used for years in cardiology and plastic surgeries. A small amount of your blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and growth factor proteins that aid healing, and then added to your scalp. "It helps increase blood flow to the scalp and can reawaken dormant hairs to stop active hair loss," says Dr. Halaas. "When used with a hair transplant, it speeds the healing process and helps transplants grow in better."
The Cost: It runs around $1200 as a stand-alone treatment and $450 in combination with a hair transplant.
Option 3) Laser Light Therapy
How it works: "Laser light encourages the protein synthesis needed for hair regeneration, and also stimulates blood flow to the area for better growth," says Dr. Halaas. "Laser therapy is best for men who notice increased shedding and want to maintain the hair they have on their head, as well as have some re-growth." Studies show that 80 percent of people treated with lasers for hair loss have a decrease in shedding or complete stopping of hair loss, and 40 percent get thicker hair.
The cost: One session is $75, or one-year packages are $1900.
Option 4) Using Hair Loss Prevention Products
We've all seen Procein, Rogaine, Focus commercials. These brands offer products that can either slow/stop hair loss or offer some hair re-growth. This is the least expensive method to stop hair loss, but in the long run, it comes about the same as these products like sustained usage; otherwise, the effects are minimal. Several sites like http://www.hairlosswatch.com offer hair loss products that are shipped fast.
The Cost: The products range from $9.95 to $50.
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