innovation making hair transplant obsolete

Remember the days when commercials of men and women swimming up to the screen with big smiles would shake their luscious wet hair to show off how an expensive hair product helped them grow their hair? These were expensive treatments that required continuous treatment and the minute you stopped using the product, hair loss would return. This happens because the treatment is temporary. Fast forward to today and we now have a treatment option that uses YOUR OWN GROWTH FACTORS to stimulate hair growth. 

Studies have shown platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stimulates hair growth naturally. Current treatments include Minoxidil, which comes in pill form or foam shampoo. There are different concentrations of Minoxidil, but 5% has shown to be most effective. The pill form of Minoxidil comes with potential side effects, which includes cardiac side effects. Other treatments include Finasteride. This is a oral pill that is taken daily and again, has potential side effects. Finasteride is not FDA approved for use in women and actually is a category X medication, which means it cannot be used in pregnant women. 

So, it becomes obvious PRP is the way to go. In addition, studies have shown microneedling after PRP injection improves hair growth. Here is what the PRP process looks like:

www.LiveActiveAesthetics.com for more information

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Here is a quick look at the anatomy of a hair follice:

* We inject at the "Inner root sheath" or just above the "hair bulb".

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So exactly, which growth factors are in PRP? Here is a list:

• Epidermal Growth factor (EGF)
• Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)
• Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
• Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-B)
• Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF)
• Insulin Growth Factor (IGF)

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Studies have shown that people have the most benefit with 4 treatments which can be spaced as early as weekly or the preferred monthly treatments. Some may choose not to numb the scalp, but I prefer to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. My team and I numb the area to assure our patients are as comfortable as possible. 

Since these growth factors are your own, there is no rejection or allergic reaction. This is a natural way of facilitating hair growth. 

PRP can also be used with facial microneedling procedures with SkinPen. This helps with eliminating scarring, acne, wrinkles, and tightens the skin. 

There are many innovations taking place in the practice of medicine and LiveActive intends to bring these innovations to our patients at an affordable price. 

I hope this blog of educational and informative. As fall begins, this is the time to consider laser treatments like BBL, Halo, PRP, and microneedling. This is all part of living healthy and maintaining our largest organ of our body - OUR SKIN! 

Dr Ahmed