Hair Loss Restoration and Solutions

https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/hair-loss/guides/minoxidil-scientific-review

Topical Minoxidil works by prolonging the anagen phase (the active growth phase of hair follicles) and increasing the size of hair follicles, which promotes hair growth and prevents further hair loss

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8126704/

The corticosteroids are applied to the scalp help to reduce inflammation around the hair follicles, which can stimulate hair regrowth by suppressing the immune response that is attacking the hair follicles

Propecia/Finasteride is a medication primarily used to treat male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). For hair loss, finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Elevated levels of DHT in the scalp are associated with hair follicle miniaturization, leading to hair thinning and loss. By reducing DHT levels, finasteride helps to slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth in men with androgenetic alopecia. It has also been found to be effective for women.

Prescription shampoos for hair loss typically contain active ingredients that target the underlying causes of hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness). Here are some common active ingredients found in these shampoos:

1. Ketoconazole: An antifungal agent that has anti-androgenic properties, which can help reduce hair loss.
2. Minoxidil: Though typically used as a topical solution, it is sometimes included in shampoos to stimulate hair growth.
3. Corticosteroids: Used to reduce inflammation and immune responses that might contribute to hair loss.

Cold Cap for Chemotherapy patients

Cold caps, also known as scalp cooling systems, are used to prevent hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The principle behind cold caps is to cool the scalp, which reduces blood flow to hair follicles during chemotherapy sessions. This cooling effect helps minimize the amount of chemotherapy drugs reaching the hair follicles, thereby reducing the risk of hair loss.

How Cold Caps Work:

1. Vasoconstriction: Cooling the scalp constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow and limiting the amount of chemotherapy drug that reaches the hair follicles.
2. Reduced Metabolic Activity: Lower temperatures decrease the metabolic activity of hair follicle cells, making them less susceptible to the effects of chemotherapy.
3. Cryotherapy: The direct cooling effect provides a form of cryotherapy that protects hair follicles from the damaging effects of chemotherapy drugs.

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to stimulate hair growth. It is primarily used for treating androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness) and is considered safe and effective for many patients.

How LLLT Works:

1. Photon Absorption: Light energy is absorbed by the cells in the scalp, which enhances cellular respiration and boosts the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
2. Increased Blood Flow: The light stimulates blood flow to the hair follicles, providing more oxygen and nutrients needed for hair growth.
3. Cellular Activity: LLLT increases cellular activity in the hair follicles, leading to the proliferation of hair follicle cells.
4. Prolonged Anagen Phase: The therapy helps prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, resulting in thicker and fuller hair.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7759057/

Originally developed as a treatment for high blood pressure, it is sometimes used off-label for hair loss when topical treatments are ineffective.

Like topical minoxidil, oral minoxidil also prolongs the anagen phase and increases hair follicle size. However, its systemic effects can have more potent results but also come with increased risk of side effects, such as changes in blood pressure and heart rate.

Oral steroids are a treatment method where corticosteroids are swallowed to treat various types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, CCCA, chemotherapy induced alopecia. The corticosteroids help to reduce inflammation, which can stimulate hair regrowth by suppressing the immune response that is attacking the hair follicles.

Propecia/Finasteride is a medication primarily used to treat male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). For hair loss, finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Elevated levels of DHT in the scalp are associated with hair follicle miniaturization, leading to hair thinning and loss. By reducing DHT levels, finasteride helps to slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth in men with androgenetic alopecia.

Spironolactone is a medication traditionally used as a diuretic and for treating conditions like hypertension and heart failure. However, it has also been found effective for treating hair loss, particularly in women with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and other conditions related to androgen sensitivity, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Hair loss can be influenced by various factors including genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, and nutritional deficiencies.

Vitamins, minerals and nutraceuticals, products derived from food sources that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, are thought to play a role in maintaining healthy hair, including:

1. Amino Acids: Building blocks of protein that are essential for the production of keratin, the protein that makes up hair.
2. Biotin (Vitamin B7): Known for strengthening hair and nails. Biotin deficiency can lead to hair thinning and loss.
3. Iron: Essential for producing hemoglobin, which helps deliver oxygen to the cells, including hair follicles.
4. Nutrafol: Designed to promote hair growth and overall hair health
5. Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Essential fatty acids that reduce inflammation and support scalp health.
6. Saw Palmetto: An herbal supplement that may inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to androgenetic alopecia.
7. Vitamin A: Necessary for cell growth, including hair cells.
8. Vitamin C: Helps in collagen production and the absorption of iron, both of which are important for hair growth.
9. Vitamin D: Plays a role in the creation of new hair follicles.
10. Vitamin E: An antioxidant that can help reduce oxidative stress in the scalp.
11. Votesse: Formulated based on dermatologic research and is clinically proven to address hair thinning and improve hair quality
12. Zinc: Essential for hair tissue growth and repair and keeping the oil glands around the follicles working properly.

Intralesional steroids are a treatment method where corticosteroids are injected directly into the scalp to treat various types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, CCCA, chemotherapy induced alopecia. The corticosteroids help to reduce inflammation around the hair follicles, which can stimulate hair regrowth by suppressing the immune response that is attacking the hair follicles

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8922312/

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a medical treatment that involves using a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate healing in various parts of the body. For hair loss, PRP therapy involves injecting PRP into the scalp to stimulate hair growth and improve hair thickness. The treatment is based on the idea that the growth factors in platelets can help regenerate hair follicles and promote new hair growth.

Procedure

1. Blood Draw: A small amount of the patient’s blood is drawn, similar to a routine blood test.
2. Centrifugation: The blood is placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma from other components.
3. Injection: The PRP is then injected into areas of the scalp that need improvement.

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the use of fine needles to create micro-injuries in the scalp. This process is thought to promote hair growth through several mechanisms:

1. Increased Blood Circulation: The micro-injuries stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, which can enhance nutrient and oxygen delivery, promoting healthier hair growth.
2. Collagen Production: The body’s natural healing response to the micro-injuries stimulates collagen and elastin production, which can strengthen the hair follicles and improve their function.
3. Activation of Stem Cells: Microneedling may activate stem cells in the hair follicles, promoting the growth of new hair.
4. Enhanced Absorption of Topical Treatments: The micro-channels created by the needles can increase the absorption of topical treatments like minoxidil, making them more effective.

Mesotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting a mixture of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and medications directly into the middle layer of the skin (mesoderm) to stimulate hair growth and improve scalp health. This treatment is used to address various types of hair loss, including androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata.

How Mesotherapy Works:

1. Nutrient Delivery: Directly delivers essential nutrients and growth factors to the hair follicles, which can improve follicle health and stimulate hair growth.
2. Improved Blood Circulation: The injection process can enhance blood circulation in the scalp, ensuring better nutrient delivery to the hair follicles.
3. Reduction of Inflammation: Some formulations used in mesotherapy contain anti-inflammatory agents that can reduce scalp inflammation and improve the hair growth environment.
4. Hormonal Balance: Certain medications in the mesotherapy cocktail can help balance hormones that affect hair growth, particularly DHT, which is linked to androgenetic alopecia.