When do I use medication or have a hair transplant for my hair loss?
Deciding whether to use hair medication or undergo a hair transplant depends on the cause, extent, and progression of your hair loss, as well as your goals. Often, a combination of both treatments yields the best results. Here's how to evaluate your options:
When to Use Hair Medications
Hair medications are generally the first line of defense in fighting hair loss, especially if it is in the early stages.
There are currently only two medications that are FDA-approved for the treatment of hair loss: minoxidil, sold over the counter under the brand name Rogaine, and finasteride, sold only by prescription under the brand name Propecia.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter topical treatment that promotes hair growth and slows hair loss. It is suitable for both men and women. Like all medical therapies for hair loss, it requires continuous use to maintain results.
Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription oral medication for men and postmenopausal women. It works by reducing DHT levels, which slows hair loss and can, in some cases, regrow hair.
Dutasteride is more potent than finasteride for hair loss because it inhibits both types of 5-alpha-reductase (5AR), the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This results in a greater reduction in DHT serum levels, and studies show that dutasteride regrows more hair than finasteride.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) using a Laser cap or comb has shown good results for men and women in maintaining hair.
AlviArmani Physician injecting exosomes.
Injectables using your own enhanced platelet-rich blood plasma (PRP), exosomes, and A-Cell have all demonstrated varying levels of effectiveness. These treatments are continually being refined as physicians and clinicians learn more about the best protocols for treatment.
It has been reported that combination medical therapies are the most effective. In our AlviArmani research and development lab, we have developed a combination of enhanced oral, topical, and injectable treatments that can be customized for our patients.
When is medical therapy ideal for hair loss?
Medical therapy should always be the first approach for young patients or those in the early stages of hair loss with diffuse or thinning hair loss.
Our approach in early hair loss is to stabilize the patient’s hair loss and potentially regrow hair. Many patients may not be ready for surgery or prefer non-invasive treatments. It is also important to remember that your donor hair supply for hair transplant surgery is limited, and preservation is key even after restoring your hair.
When should you consider having a hair transplant?
Hair transplants are ideal for restoring hair to areas that are already bald or severely thinned, where medications won't regrow hair.
There are two common methods for transplanting hair. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) involves the excision of individual hair follicles. The incisions are normally so small, under 1mm, that when they heal, there is no visible scar, so the patient can cut their hair very short with no appearance of prior surgery.
At AlviArmani, we feel this is the most ethical and minimally invasive technique for harvesting hair and the ONLY method our highly trained surgeons use.
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation)
Also known as donor strip harvesting, it involves a long horizontal excision of donor tissue. After removing the tissue strip, the surgeon sutures the excision closed. Technicians dissect the hair follicles from the donor strip and transplant them.
Even in the best surgical hands, a horizontal scar will remain on the back of the scalp, which would be visible if the hair was cut too short. The patient will also usually experience more discomfort and longer healing times.
Regardless of technique, medical therapy to maintain existing hair should be considered. At AlviArmani, we use proprietary interoperative solutions, which may include enhanced PRP and exosome injections during surgery to speed up healing and hair growth.
AlviArmani hair restoration patients receive PRP Treatment during their FUE procedure. PRP is injected into the recipient site during the FUE procedure. When combined with the FUE procedure, PRP induces Faster healing times post-op, less shedding of the transplanted grafts after the procedure, higher retention of grafts post-procedure, and quicker regrowth of grafts, making for a faster final result. Our Research and Development team has adapted protocols to ensure our patients receive the highest quality PRP containing the highest concentration of platelets.
In-house R&D Lab at AlviArmani
Considerations prior to hair transplant surgery include:
Budget: Medications are less expensive upfront but require ongoing use, while transplants are a one-time cost but are not inexpensive.
Age: Younger individuals (<25) are often advised to start with medications since their hair loss pattern might not be fully established.
Cause of Hair Loss: If your hair loss is due to medical conditions (e.g., alopecia areata) or scarring, transplants might not be suitable without addressing the underlying issue.
Next Steps
Consult a hair restoration specialist to determine the cause and extent of your hair loss.
Start with medications if your hair loss is progressing or in its early stages.
Consider a transplant for bald areas after your hair loss has stabilized.
At AlviArmani, our hair loss specialists will evaluate your current hair loss, recommend lab results if you are not experiencing genetic hair loss, and then recommend a course of action to restore your hair and appearance to the person you were before hair loss.