In the Office:
As promised, I wanted to follow up on my last blog by discussing some exciting modalities available in the world of hair restoration. My personal favorite is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. This treatment involves injecting a concentration of platelets from the patient’s own blood into the scalp. The platelets contain growth factors that work their magic by stimulating hair follicles and enhancing hair density.
Another regenerative medicine method we employ in our clinic is stem cell therapy. By injecting stem cells into the scalp, we can promote the regeneration of hair follicles. The stem cells have the power to transform into various cell types, including hair follicle cells, thereby stimulating hair growth.
Red-light therapy and microneedling both serve as valuable modalities within the realm of regenerative medicine for hair restoration. While red-light therapy employs targeted light wavelengths to awaken dormant hair follicles, microneedling stimulates the scalp through controlled micro-injuries, both leading to enhanced hair growth and revitalization.
Things you can do at home:
Making dietary changes is always a good idea for overall health, and it can also promote hair growth. Keeping inflammation down by following an anti-inflammatory diet encourages hair growth and a healthy scalp. Dietary examples include the mediterranean diet or Paleo diet. Furthermore, a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin D, iron, and biotin, appears to have a positive impact on hair health.
A few alternative therapies for hair regeneration include supplements and essential oils. While more research is needed, some people have had positive results with the topical use of essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and rosemary to promote hair growth. They bring increased circulation to the scalp. Speaking of increased circulation, regular scalp massages are a great way to stimulate blood flow —and who does not like a great scalp massage?
There are various supplements on the market, but biotin and saw palmetto are 2 that have some science behind them. Saw palmetto has been used to treat hair loss in men by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can contribute to hair loss. However, the evidence for its effectiveness is mixed, and you must take into account unpleasant side effects such as GI upset, fatigue and decreased libido. Biotin supports the proper functioning of hair follicles. It helps in the activation of dormant hair follicles and promotes their growth phase (anagen phase). By keeping the hair follicles healthy and active, biotin helps maintain a normal hair growth cycle.
Questions? Contact us.
These remedies are for you to investigate and learn more about. Remember, alternative therapies are not evaluated by the FDA and can have serious side effects if mixed with certain medications, etc. If you’re experiencing hair loss, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and the most appropriate treatment plan. If you would like to learn more, please contact me at michelle@michelledarrow.com