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Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatment

Pacific Hair Center offers effective non-surgical hair loss treatments for clients with early or mild hair loss symptoms and those who prefer not to undergo a transplant procedure.

The following options include tried-and-true methods for new hair growth and recent advancements in non-invasive hair restoration technology.

Finasteride

Finasteride is a medicine that has gained recognition for its role in treating various conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness.

Dr. Roy David often prescribes finasteride for men experiencing this most common form of hair loss. This medication is taken orally and works by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen hormone that causes hair loss. Finasteride can slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth by reducing DHT levels.

Precautions

If you are taking finasteride for BPH, inform your healthcare provider, as it can affect the PSA test results used to detect prostate cancer.
Those with liver disease should use finasteride cautiously, as the liver metabolizes the medication.
Finasteride is not intended for use by pregnant women, as it can cause congenital disabilities in male fetuses. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid handling crushed or broken tablets.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a widely recognized medication for treating male and female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) as an effective tool for promoting hair regrowth and preventing hair loss.

Typically available as a topical solution or foam, when regularly applied to the scalp, minoxidil has been observed to promote the dilation of blood vessels in the scalp and increase blood flow to the hair follicles, resulting in hair growth.

An oral form of minoxidil is available, but it carries the risk of certain side effects.

Precautions

In rare cases, minoxidil may enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting blood pressure. This is more common with the oral form of minoxidil.
If you have a scalp condition, open sores, or sunburn, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before using minoxidil.
Minoxidil is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, as its safety under these circumstances has not been thoroughly studied.

Platelet-rich Plasma

Platelet-rich plasma has proven effective for the treatment of thinning hair. A small amount of blood is drawn and centrifuged in a special container to isolate blood platelets. Platelets are known to contain growth factors, which are then injected into the areas of thinning hair. We often perform microneedling at the same time to activate an inflammatory response and to activate the growth factors. This is believed to enhance blood flow, encouraging regrowth and thickening of hairs. Platelet-rich plasma can be an excellent option for patients who are averse to finasteride (Propecia®) and can be performed at regular intervals to maintain results or slow down hair loss.

Light Therapy for Hair Loss

Hair restoration with light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a non-invasive technique to reduce hair loss and thinning caused by male and female pattern baldness while stimulating hair growth and improving the condition of the hair. LLLT can also treat alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder resulting in hair loss.

While excellent results have been reported, there is still some controversy about how this treatment causes hair growth. The primary school of thought involves a combination of these three processes:

Increased blood flow – Light therapy is thought to improve blood circulation in the scalp, providing essential nutrients to hair follicles.
Stimulation of cell metabolism – Laser light may activate cellular processes to promote new hair growth.
Reduced inflammation – For conditions like alopecia areata, light therapy seems to help reduce inflammation and encourage hair regrowth.

Light therapy for hair restoration can be administered using various devices, including:

Laser caps: These are wearable caps equipped with low-level laser diodes that evenly distribute light over the scalp.
Laser combs: These handheld devices feature laser diodes or LEDs and are combed through the hair to target specific areas of the scalp.
Helmets: Laser helmets are similar to caps but are worn on the head like a traditional helmet.
In-clinic treatments: Some healthcare professionals offer in-office treatments using more powerful laser devices.

After light therapy, it’s possible to experience an initial shedding of weaker hairs before new, healthier hair growth begins. This is a standard part of the hair growth cycle.

Precautions

Proper eye protection is essential to shield the eyes from the laser or light emitted by the device.

Light therapy is a non-invasive hair loss treatment with few side effects. However, individuals may experience temporary mild redness, itching, or scalp tenderness.

Exosomes for Hair Loss Treatment

Exosome therapy for hair restoration is an exciting and promising option for individuals experiencing hair loss. It offers a non-invasive, regenerative approach to stimulate hair growth and improve hair quality.

Exosome therapy can benefit men and women with the following conditions:

Male and female pattern baldness.
Autoimmune alopecia areata
Damaged, unhealthy hair

Exosomes are biological agents that help cells communicate with each other. When treating conditions affecting hair, exosomes are believed to work in several ways:

Exosomes can activate stem cells in dormant hair follicles to stimulate new follicles and hair growth.
In autoimmune disease-related hair loss, exosomes may reduce inflammation and improve the scalp’s health, allowing faster hair growth.
Exosomes may enhance blood vessel formation in the scalp, improving nutrient delivery to hair follicles.

This hair loss treatment does not require surgery but does involve the following steps:

Dr. David will evaluate the cause of your hair loss and determine if exosome therapy suits you.
Exosomes are retrieved from the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in your blood. These exosomes are then isolated and prepared for injection.
The prepared exosomes are injected into the scalp using tiny needles to target areas of hair loss.

There is typically no downtime associated with this treatment.

Precautions

Exosome therapy for hair restoration is considered safe, with minimal side effects. However, some individuals experience mild scalp discomfort, swelling, and allergic reactions.

Please discuss any known allergies with Dr. David during your consultation.

San Diego Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatment

Dr. Roy David is a double board-certified plastic surgeon offering surgical and non-surgical hair restoration options in San Diego, California. Call Pacific Hair Center today at 858-453-4247 to schedule your consultation.

For those considering surgical hair transplantation, Dr. David offers FUE (NeoGraft®), Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), and robotic hair restoration (ARTAS).