Treatments for hair loss

15/10/24

Treatments for hair loss:

 

I wish there was a single reversible cure of hair loss that requires a simple lotion that will bring back your hair, but unfortunately no such “magic bullet” exists. 

 

What causes hair loss (also known as Alopecia)?

There are multiple causes ranging from our diets, our genetics, how our immune system functions, how hormones influence our hair and the ageing process. 

The key is to get the correct diagnosis and then have recognised medically evidence-based treatments to help you to restore your hair.

 

What can be done to treat hair loss?

Firstly, the correct diagnosis needs to be made as there as there are a variety of types of Alopecia. These range from scarring to non-scarring conditions. The scarring variety may need a prescription from your Doctor for oral or topical medications to “switch” off your  heightened immune system. The non-scaring can be helped by a variety of means including diet, shampoos, medications, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Platelet Rich Fibre (PRF) and Calecim hair system.

 

What is the commonest cause of hair loss?

The most common non-scaring Alopecia I see in my clinic is female pattern hair loss often associated with the menopause. It’s not just the menopause that causes it, medications such as breast cancer drugs like Tamoxifen, Anastrazole, Letrozole, Exemastane, Alendronic Acid among others can induce a more pronounced menopause.

 

What are the best treatments for hair loss?

This very much depends on the cause of the hairloss.

To start with a nutritious diet will help. A diet rich in protein will help eg. fish, chicken, eggs (maybe 4/5 times a week). And a diet rich in iron eg. lentils, beans, especially leafy green vegetables will help all those who suffer with hair loss and it will ensure the remaining hair is fed nutrients.

 

There are some oral medications like Spironolactone, Minoxidil or Dutesteride that can be prescribed but these must be monitored by your Doctor. There are over the counter shampoos such as Regaine (minoxidil) that can be helpful in preventing further hair loss, but only works if you continue to use indefinitely. Most of these medications are not available on the NHS.

 

There is some evidence for hair improvements with PRP and PRF. This is when your blood is taken, spun and the plasma rich in growth factors are injected into the scalp. Our hair transplant centres often recommend regular injections of these after surgical treatments to maintain the hair that’s been transplanted.

 

There is some good anecdotal evidence for stem cell conditioned media such as Calecim Advanced Hair System. This 6 week program delivered once a week, at home, thickens the hair shaft creating more volume and a fuller head of hair. It is important to note female and male pattern hair thinning can be helped by this treatment, but if total hair loss has occurred then there is very slim chance of getting it back by any of these means. 

This treatment is a combination of micro-needling and then applying a serum over the scalp. This serum is ethically sourced Red Deer umbilical cords that are rich in pluripotent cells that when added to a media, elutes lots of exosomes, growth factors and other beneficial signalling proteins. The cells and debris are then removed from the media and the result is a very concentrated serum and it is this that helps hair growth. This treatment is a bit like having fertiliser for the scalp and unlike Minoxidil, the effects are not reversed when you stop using it. However, as logic will dictate, your hair and scalp will continue to age, so lots of patients find it helpful to intermittently have courses of the system to keep their hair looking and feeling thicker and healthier.

 

What treatment is there for complete hair loss or baldness?

If you have significant hair loss and follicles have scared over either through a disease process or through genetic factors, than a variety of different transplants can be performed, click here for more information: https://ishrs.org/

 

Where can I get the Calecim Advanced Hair System treatments for hair loss?

Please contact our clinic for a 6 week course for as little as £250 and this can be done with or without a consultation. Dr Kenningham is dermatology trained and can advise during a consultation on what is your best hair loss treatment options including whether PRF or Calecim Advanced Hair System is likely to work for you. Her consultation fee is £150.

Alternatively you can either call, text 07711190079 or email the clinic info@drksclinic.co.uk and have the Advanced Hair System delivered directly to your door. 

Dr K's Clinic is 1/2 way between Chester and Wrexham in a countryside setting with lovely gardens. Her clinic was awarded Best non-surgical aesthetic clinic in Wales 2024. She will give honest, trustworthy and no obligation advice on what is likely to deliver the best results.