INDUSTRY INSIDER | HAIRCARE | Around 686 035 non-surgical patients
were treated worldwide in 2012, ISHRS data shows, more than twice the amount of those that underwent surgery1
. The non-invasive approach has an
arsenal of products ranging from topical medication such as minoxidil, systemic medications such as finasteride, and steroids such as triamcinolone or spironolactone (off label), as well as certain birth control options for women. Minoxidil is an interesting example of
how these drugs have moved from the medical realm to capture the mass market; it is now being sold in stores from Walgreens in the US to Tesco in the UK, with different strengths and targeting both genders effectively. 'Minoxidil is still the leading topical
treatment for non-scarring alopecia hair loss. Minoxidil has been used for many years and is safe, effective for a certain degree of prevention of hair miniaturisation, easy to use, and affordable,' says Dr Ziering. However, despite their proven efficacy,
patients looking for a more holistic approach are increasingly turning their attention towards alternative treatments. These include injectable cocktails such as mesotherapy and skin needling, as well as non-injectables with other topical delivery systems, such as electroporation and ultrasonophoresis.
Mesotherapy Mesotherapy is gaining greater acceptability globally, having already been well established in Europe owing to standard treatments being valued for their ability to add radiance back to weakened hair. They are designed to help with hair loss, both hormonal and hereditary, as well as hair loss related to stress, fatigue, and pregnancy. A typical mesotherapy cocktail
contains around forty actives, such as vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, while more in-depth coctails, largely produced in Asia, can contain flavonoids, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs). Other popular mesotherapy cocktails
include formulations rich in peptides and growth factors, as well as autologous cocktails including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), herbal cocktails or formulas mixed with active ingredients such as minoxidil. Mesotherapy, together with skin needling, are typically used to stimulate the hair
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follicle and revitalise hair by improving hair structure, stimulate hair regrowth, slow down and prevent hair loss, improve irrigation to the hair follicle, hydrate and nourish the scalp, and even regulate seborrhea. Dr Ziering offers PRP in his practice, 'We
do offer PRP/Acell injections in conjunction with dermarollers as an effective prevention therapy or to maximise the results of transplant surgery. It can be useful, especially in patients that do not want to have a daily routine in terms of a topical preparation or take a prescription medication like finasteride,' he says. ACell works at the cellular level to
repair and remodel damaged tissues and organs; it recruits adult stem cells as well as the blood supply in the area, then changes these inactive adult stem cells back into activated progenitor cells (embryonic stem cells) resulting in the regeneration of native tissue, in this case, new hair follicles.
Lasers
On the laser front, the most popular treatments are those from low level light therapy (LLLT), light-emitting diode (LED), and photodynamic therapy (PDT). These cold lasers are lauded for their safety as they do not produce heat, nulling the possibility of thermal injury to the tissue. They work by photomodulation, modulating cell activity so that cells work better and become healthier. The laser energy
delivered to the scalp increases microcirculation by mobilising calcium stores. The increased
Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP)
production cascades into increased protein and nutrient production, which is delivered upstream to the hair follicle site. Laser treatments are typically in-office procedures lasting about 10 minutes each and are often combined with injections or other treatment formats. However, the rise of competitively priced at-home devices is also gaining traction, with tools such as the iGrow or Hair Max having cleared FDA approval and gaining currency. The protocol requires these devices to be used for around 30 minutes, three times daily, combined or followed by a maintenance phase of usage once or twice a week.
Holistic: the part no longer works for the whole There is no ‘one-stop’ fix for thinning hair. Rather, hair health is a by-product of the patient’s energy, nutrition, stress, endocrine system, genetic makeup, and androgenic sensitivity. 'I would say that it's impossible to treat
The non-invasive approach
has an arsenal of products ranging from topical medication such as minoxidil, systemic medications such as finasteride, and steroids such as triamcinolone or spironolactone (off label), as well as certain birth control options for women.
hair loss without changing your lifestyle,' says Dr Izabela Tilszer from Poland, who combines hair mesotherapy and LED to treat the scalp, as well as a mesotherapy cocktail against stress. 'If stress is high in your life, it's recommended to treat [it] as well'. She injects in the back along the spine up to the shoulders with a cocktail using magnesium, laroxyl, and procaine, injecting both the hair as well as the back in one session. This concern with
holistic treatments has supported the huge surge in
popularity of trichology clinics in the UK, a move that is now expected to cross to the other side of the Atlantic. According to Anabel Kingsley, head of
product development at Philip Kingsley, the importance of diet cannot be emphasised enough. 'Unfortunately, all hair gets finer as we age. Using a weekly stimulating scalp mask and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet will help boost the health of the hair, and keep it looking youthful and luscious,' she says. 'Proteins with breakfast and lunch are key here — It’s what your hair is made of. Making sure
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