Follicular stimulation based on energy and home treatments
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), light therapy and approximations are becoming more and more popular as research suggests its effectiveness. “There is evidence of effectiveness, but patients need to understand that it does not regrow hair, but rather helps to slow the progression of hair loss,” said Dr. Kahen. “Home appliances use these methods.”
Doctors around the world use laser and light-based devices, generally used for skin rejuvenation, skin tightening or other applications, for stimulation of follicles in the office. However, although they may advertise laser hair restoration, these applications are non-compliant.
Authorized by the FDA to treat androgenic alopecia in men (with the Norwood-Hamilton classifications from IIa to V) and in women (with the Ludwig-Savin classifications from I to II), and in men or women with Fitzpatrick skin types from I to IV, iRestore by Freedom Laser Therapy (Los Angeles, California) is essentially a helmet combining a light emitting diode (LED) LLLT specially adapted for stimulate cell metabolism in the hair follicles. About three to six months of 25-minute sessions every other day, the manufacturer reports that users will see slower hair loss and reduced miniaturization of the hair follicle, followed by a return to thicker, longer hair dense with continuous support. The Essential version includes 51 medical grade laser and LED transmitters, while the professional version includes 28 transmitters.
Theradome’s LH80 PRO and LH40 EVO laser helmets. include 40 focused VL680 (680nm) lasers that penetrate the scalp up to 5mm and stimulate mitochondrial activity to slow and stop hair loss in the manufacturer. Four weekly 20-minute sessions per day will produce visible improvement after a few months of regular use, with better results over time.
The Lexington INT HairMax laser comb uses LLLT to increase hair density / density, revitalize follicles and improve hair thinning. It is currently the only device of this type approved by the FDA. It includes patented locks of hair and densely packed laser diodes for maximum and uniform diffusion of collimated laser light. Products include combs, bands and a baseball style cap with maximum coverage.
Topical therapies and professional and home nutraceuticals
As the only authorized drug on the market for male pattern baldness on the market, finasteride and minoxidil are relatively well known. Topical minoxidil has been shown to be successful in both men and women, with around 40% of men seeing regrowth within three to six months1,2 while the drug is in use. “In my experience, many patients are not completely satisfied with Minoxidil and may not be keeping it,” said Dr. Rapoport.
Finasteride has been shown [Varothai 2014] to slow and even improve hair loss in men after approximately six months of continuous and persistent use. However, the warning about sexual side effects has reduced its popularity.
However, there are home therapies that can provide help alone or in combination with in-office therapies. Nutraceuticals and vitamins are among those that have been used for a long time.
The LockRx Growth Factor 3X professional serum from Vision Medical is a topical solution containing three specific growth factors derived from human cells (EGF, FGF and KGF), recognized for their paramount importance in the stages of hair follicle and scalp health.
This serum can be used in conjunction with all the methods promoting stimulation of the hair follicle, in particular surgical restoration of hair SmartGraft FUE, PRP, microneedling, LED and LLLT, in order to increase the specific growth factors most necessary for the best outcome of the procedures.
With products for men and women, Viviscal Advanced Hair Health supplements from Viviscal Ltd. (Ewing, NJ) have been in continuous development for 25 years and do not contain medication. The products (including oral supplements and a topical shampoo, with an additional conditioner for women) are designed to nourish and strengthen existing hair at various stages of growth, promote the revitalization of hair follicles to minimize their loss and promote the hair health. Clinical studies have shown an 18.3% reduction in excretion compared to placebo and a 125% increase in the number of terminal hairs compared to placebo, with a significant improvement in overall hair volume, thickness and scalp coverage reported by patients after six months of continuous use.
AQ Advanced Hair Complex + from AQ Skin Solutions is designed to reduce hair loss, rejuvenate damaged hair follicles, improve hair quality and increase circulation to improve overall condition scalp. Using growth factor technology and other active ingredients, the solution is applied to the areas to be treated, then massaged, and left for at least five minutes every two days. The current subject is intended for use at home or in addition to professional treatments.
Nutraceutical multi-targeted nutraceutical hair restoration treatments are designed for women who enter, during and after menopause and who undergo hair-related changes. Nutrafol Core for Women contains standardized ingredients that act on the triggers of poor hair health, including stress, DHT, free radicals, micro-inflammation and compromised nutrition. Core for Women has been shown to improve the strength, shine, texture, density, flexibility and smoothness of hair. In a clinical study, 81% of women saw improvement in hair growth.
Nutrafol Women’s Balance also attacks the hormonal changes associated with menopause. The ingredients are clinically proven to increase hair growth, provide thicker hair, maintain existing hair growth and improve strength, shine, texture, appearance, density and nourish hair from the inside .
Intended to be associated with in-office treatments, the complete Votese hair control system from Eclipse MedCorp. is a combination of oral “folliceutical” pill and topical foam to promote health and well-being for optimal hair health. The easy-to-use Amino DL-30 Topical Hair Foam is directly absorbed by the scalp to hydrate it and promote moisture retention.
The oral formulations are personalized for men and women. The oral formulation for women includes ashwagandha root extract, flax seed hulls, L-tyrosine and velvet bean extract, designed to manage cortisol levels and prevent hair breakage . The men’s version includes saw palmetto berries, pine-derived phytosterols, green tea leaf extract, nettle leaf extract and pumpkin seed concentrate to manage DHT, stimulate collagen production and improve overall hair health. “This is the first oral pill combined with a topical botanical foam available to us, working indoors and outdoors,” said Dr. Rapaport.
“Many people want something like this, but don’t want drugs like minoxidil or finasteride. They like topical non-drug topical formulations and gender-specific formulations. The pill replaces the vitamins they probably already take, which many find attractive, “he continued. “With competing products, I’ve seen gastrointestinal upset, which we don’t see with Votesse because it contains probiotics.”
By examining the evolving arsenal for the treatment of thinning and thinning hair, Dr. Kahen summed it up well. “As with everything, prevention is generally the best option compared to reactive treatments. With the alternatives we have today, as we raise awareness, we should see a significant reduction in the number of people suffering from hair loss. ”