Are you noticing more hair in your brush or shower drain than usual? You’re not alone. Hair loss is a common problem that affects millions of men and women worldwide. While there are many treatments available, non-surgical hair restoration has become increasingly popular in recent years.
In this article, we’ll explore what non-surgical hair restoration is, how it works, and why it might be the right choice for you.
What is Non-Surgical Hair Restoration?
Non-surgical hair restoration refers to a variety of procedures targeted to improve the appearance of thinning hair without performing surgery. Even though some surgical techniques focus on traditional hair transplants—where hair follicles are taken from one scalp area and transplanted to another—recent procedures in the no-surgery category excel in improved techniques to support hair growth and thickness.
Types of Non-Surgical Hair Restoration
There are several types of hair restoration non-surgical treatments available, including:
- Medications: FDA-approved medications like finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) are known to work well in retarding hair loss and garnering new strands of hair. Usually, such medications work to obstruct the hormone called DHT, which is associated with hair loss, and boost blood flow to the hair follicles.
- Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Low-level laser therapy is a process using low-level lasers to irradiate the scalp. Lasers might irradiate the scalp with small, almost sub-photonic laser diodes that have a larger capacity for exceptional tissue penetration. More specifically, this light energy is absorbed by the hair follicles and can be used to increase cellular activity and stimulate hair to grow.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: This therapy involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, processing it down to the part that is highly concentrated with platelets, and then injecting the platelet-rich plasma obtained into the scalp. The growth factors in the platelets can work to help hair follicles grow and activate new hair.
- Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP): This is a cosmetic tattoo technique whereby a person is made to look like he or she has got a head full of hair, but, in reality, the scalp is tattooed. This is done in very small, layered dots, imitating the look of a buzzcut or short hair to make thinning areas look much less noticeable.
Benefits of Non-Surgical Hair Restoration
There are several key advantages associated with modern non-surgical regimens over traditional surgical hair transplant systems. Included within this list are some of the most pertinent advantages:
Less Invasive
Non-surgical hair restoration procedures are not nearly as invasive as surgical hair transplants, and there are no incisions, stitches, or scarring. Most treatments are essentially painless and completely non-invasive with no downtime.
More Affordable
While it’s true that non-surgical hair restoration treatments are not necessarily cheap, they generally cost far less than surgery. Plus, many treatments, like medications and LLLT, can be done at home, which eliminates those associated costs.
More Natural-Looking Results
When done correctly, non-surgical hair restoration can yield some very natural-looking results. Treatments like SMP can give the illusion of a fuller head of hair in a way that doesn’t look like a transplant has been done, as with plugs or a linear scar.
Faster Results
While it can take several months for surgical hair transplants to show full results, some non-surgical hair restoration treatments can be seen to offer noticeable improvements in just weeks or months. For instance, some medications and PRP therapy can stimulate new hair growth in just 3-4 months.
Less Risk and Fewer Side Effects
All medical procedures, of course, are associated with some risks and potential side effects, but those associated with nonsurgical options for hair restoration are fewer than those associated with surgery. The most common side effects are usually minor and include things like irritation of the scalp or redness.
Is Non-Surgical Hair Restoration Right for You?
This type of restoration procedure may be right for most individuals, but not all will benefit. Here are the things to think about in order to decide if it is right for your hair loss.
Your Hair Loss Stage
The stage of hair loss is one of the most important factors that determine if you are a good fit as a patient for nonsurgical hair restoration procedures. These would often do best in patients in the early stages of hair loss. If you are in the early stage of hair thinning, all that is quite often necessary is a nonsurgical solution in order to slow down and even reverse the process.
However, if you have reached the advanced stage of hair loss, this kind of treatment will provide unsatisfactory results since the bald patches are generally larger and the thinning more extensive. In such cases, surgical hair transplantation is more appropriate.
The Type of Hair Loss
The nature of the hair loss you are suffering from will be one of the main determining factors in ascertaining the treatments that will be most effective. The most common form of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia or male or female pattern baldness. This often responds well to medication such as finasteride and minoxidil and treatments such as PRP therapy and LLLT, which work by targeting the hormonal and genetic factors that cause this type of hair loss.
However, lessening inflammation can often lead to the re-growth of the hair, but this type of loss may not respond to methods aimed at stimulating the growth of new follicles. In such cases, treatments aimed at reducing inflammation, such as LLLT or corticosteroid injections, may be more effective.
Your Age and Health
Your general health and age can also influence the effectiveness of non-surgical hair restoration. Typically, younger patients and those in good general health tend to have better results from these treatments. This is partly because younger people typically have hair follicles that are more active and have a high capacity for regrowth. Incidentally, several health conditions and drugs can also affect hair growth.
Specifically, thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances and nutritional deficiency can give rise to hair loss and must be treated besides the treatments that a patient may undergo for re-growing the hair. Some of the drugs that can lead to hair loss as a side effect include cancer chemotherapy and beta-blockers. Another important thing worth mentioning is to be entirely open and honest whenever discussing any sort of medical history with the doctor in relation to hair restoration treatment in general.
Your Budget and Lifestyle
Alongside, you also need to consider other uncomplicated but crucial factors, including budget and lifestyle. While these treatments are generally more affordable than surgery, they still come with costs.
For example, finasteride and minoxidil treatments usually are life-long, requiring the person to take the medications indefinitely. LLLT may involve a considerable one-time cost for the device. PRP and SMP often require multiple sessions and each comes with a related cost. Thus, an important consideration is whether you can realistically afford the initial and ongoing costs of treatment.
Your lifestyle is also a factor. Some treatments, such as medication and LLLT, can be done on your own time and in the comfort of your home. Other treatments, such as PRP and SMP, are done in an office setting. Think about whether you have the time and flexibility to commit to regular treatments, and consider whether you are ready and willing to make long-lasting lifestyle changes that support your hair’s health.
Conclusion
Nonsurgical hair restoration is likely the solution for someone seeking to enhance the appearance of thinning hair without surgical intervention for any number of reasons. From medication and LLLT to PRP and SMP, the options for numerous needs and budgets are plentiful.
Always research nonsurgical restoration, choose your provider wisely, and keep your expectations in check. The right nonsurgical restoration can boost your confidence, bringing back the love for your hair.