What is Hair Restoration Treatment?

Men, women and children can all experience hair loss at some point in their lives. Hair restoration treatments can help to stimulate hair growth and restore the scalp to a better state of health. A consultation with a hair-restoration specialist will determine the cause of the hair loss and a treatment plan that is appropriate for your current state of health; and if surgical intervention is necessary.

Function

• Medical and surgical hair-restoration procedures and treatments are designed to stimulate hair growth within the follicle hair so that hair can be restored in any balding areas. Hair-restoration treatment plans differ for men and women because some treatments influence the hormones. Consulting with a hair-restoration specialist is the first step towards treating hair loss and achieving long-term results.

Options

• According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, hair loss can be treated with medical hair-restoration procedures, hair transplant surgery, or nonsurgical treatments such as Propecia, Rogaine and Avodart.

Procedures and Treatments

• Medical hair-restoration procedures include scalp-reduction surgery and eyebrow and eyelash hair-restoration treatments.

  Scalp reduction surgery, also known as alopecia reduction surgery, involves stretching a portion of the scalp over the area that is balding. Eyebrow and eyelash hair restoration procedures include micrografting of single hairs, or transplanting pieces of skin tissue from a donor area.

  Hair transplants are the most common type of hair-loss treatment. The operation involves taking hair from the back of the head and transplanting it into the areas that have become bald or are balding.

  Nonsurgical treatments such as Propecia and Rogaine are available in different strengths over the counter, and with a prescription. Rogaine is a solution that is applied topically to the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Propecia is an oral medication that triggers hormone production and helps with hair growth.

  Avodart is an oral medication for treating male-pattern hair loss. It is approved in Europe and available in the United States as an off-label product.

Side Effects

• Scalp reduction surgery may result in bruising, scarring and irritation in the treated area.

  Eyebrow and eyelash hair restoration procedures that involve transplants also create the risk of scarring, bruising and irritation as the skin begins to heal.

  Side effects of Rogaine include an itchy scalp, and in rare cases, a drop in blood pressure.

  Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant in the near future are advised not to take Propecia because the drug can cause abnormal development of a fetus. Side effects of Propecia in males includes male breast enlargement, depression and erectile dysfunction.

  Side effects of Avodart include decreased libido, male breast enlargement, depression and erectile dysfunction.

Considerations

• The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reports that while there are hundreds of over-the-counter hair loss treatments available, only two have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for increasing hair growth. These two treatments are Propecia and Rogaine, and only a hair restoration specialist can determine what type of treatment plan is needed for each individual.

  The Mayo Clinic points out that surgical procedures can be expensive and may not be the best solution for everyone. For people who cannot take Propecia, use Rogaine, or undergo surgery, wearing a custom-made hairpiece or hair extensions may be more suitable options.