Women's Hair Loss Frequently Asked Questions

Can hair loss treatments restore all the hair I have lost?

Depending on the type of hair loss, complete restoration is possible. For instance, in alopecia areata and traction alopecia, those areas can fill in completely with treatment. In androgenic alopecia, it is possible to restore most of the hair loss if restoration treatment is started early. If treatment is started after many years of gradual thinning, it is unlikely that complete restoration is possible. However, further hair loss can be slowed down or stopped, and the majority of women will have some regrowth of hair.

What happens if I decide to stop treatment?

It is very likely that hair loss will resume and hair that did regrow during treatment will likely fall out if hair loss treatment is halted.

Will I go bald?

While hair thinning is very common in women, it is extremely rare for a woman to go “bald” like a man. Our goal is to prevent hair loss from ever getting to that point.

Is it really possible for a woman to start losing hair as a teenager?

Sadly, yes. The youngest woman we have seen was a 15-year-old girl who had already lost about 50% of her hair. The younger the woman, the more important it is to start regrowth and restoration treatment as soon as possible.

Does shampooing my hair every day cause hair loss?

No. Shampooing does not cause hair loss, but it does strip the hair of its natural oils and may dry out hair and make it brittle.

Is it always necessary to have blood tests?

It is unlikely that a simple iron or vitamin deficiency or even hypo or hyperthyroidism will cause significant hair loss, but while undergoing treatment it is essential to make sure that there is nothing else that would contribute to further hair loss or prevent treatment from being successful. This is why lab tests are always recommended.

Does any hair loss treatment for thin hair work better than others?

There are no studies published which compare the different treatments available today. Minoxidil, laser therapy, PRP, and Tricomin products all work differently to help hair to grow. That is why we recommend utilizing all the treatments available. As with many medical problems, it may take several types of treatment to get the best result.

Do any of the hair restoration treatments have any side effects? Are they safe?

All medical treatments may have some side effects. All of the recommended treatments at Medi Tresse are scientifically tested and have been found to have no serious side effects. Any skin or scalp treatments can cause localized itching or mild irritation, but all potential side effects will be discussed with you before starting treatment.

How much does your treatment cost?

We offer a wide array of hair loss treatments that vary greatly in price. The treatment plan for one patient will not be the same for another. Therefore, it is important to come in for a consultation to discuss what options may be available for you, and then you can determine what services or products are best for you.

Does hair loss get worse during menopause?

Yes it can. Many women find that hair thinning is more noticeable after going through menopause. Hormones play a big role in hair health and growth in women. Some women notice when they come off their hormone therapy that their hair sheds more. Any change in hormones can affect hair growth in women. This is also true during pregnancy when hair can thicken and then shed after childbirth.

Low-Level Laser Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really safe to use lasers on my scalp for hair growth?

Low-intensity lasers were a part of numerous medical treatments before LLLT became a treatment option for male and female hair loss. Because these are what we know as cold-beam lasers, they can be used without creating a risk for burning your skin.

How does low-level laser therapy help me recover after losing hair?

The low-level laser lights used for treatment stimulate hair follicle cells. The response from prolonged exposure to these lights can lead to the production of more hair shafts, and treatment can reduce inflammation and produce healthier hair growth.

Has LLLT been researched?

Studies of the effectiveness and safety of LLLT have shown that treatment can lead to both the growth of thicker, healthier hair as well as more hair shafts. These studies also show no significant negative side effects from treatment.

Can I really take home a device that lets me engage in LLLT at home?

Medi Tresse offers multiple products that patients can use in the comfort of their own home. You can talk to us about purchasing the LaserCap HD (224 Diodes), the LaserCap HD+ (300 Diodes), or the HairMax® LaserBand 82.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

What is platelet-rich plasma therapy?

With the use of platelet-rich plasma, we can both strengthen your hair and reactivate dormant follicles. The treatments lead to repair at a cellular level to help patients regain thicker, healthier hair and growth from follicles that had previously stopped producing hairs.

How does PRP therapy work?

PRP Hair Regrowth Therapy utilizes the natural growth factors and stem cells in your body by isolating the platelet rich portion of your blood. From there, it assists your body in wound healing and cell regeneration. This concentration of platelets and growth factors is up to ten times greater than normal through PRP treatment. Because of the increased tissue renewal and other growth factors, PRP injections stimulate new hair growth by reactivating dormant follicles and healing the follicle at a cellular level, resulting in healthier, thicker hair.

How long has PRP therapy been around?

Platelet Rich Plasma therapy has been around for over 20 years. It is used for its wound healing capabilities in various medical specialties including cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics, sports medicine, dermatology and other medical specialties. PRP was first utilized to treat hair loss in 2004; however, it is not until recently that studies have shown its full potential in treating hair loss.

Is PRP therapy safe?

PRP is very safe and has limited side effects. In every study completed for the use of PRP as a treatment for hair loss, there have never been any significant negative side effects found.

Is there research on PRP therapy for hair loss?

Several studies have shown PRP Therapy to be an effective treatment for addressing hair loss. You can see details of studies performed to gauge the effectiveness of PRP Therapy below:
Platelet Rich Plasma On Female Androgenic Alopecia: Tested On Ten Patients, 2019
The Effects Of Autologous Activated Platelet Rich Plasma Injection On Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study, 2017
International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 2020
Plymouth Medical, 2018

Hair Restoration Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a minor surgical procedure where hair follicles are removed from the back of the scalp and planted into desired areas on top of the scalp. There are two types of hair transplant procedures – Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). With each process, follicles are removed from the back of the scalp and replanted into the recipient area.

When will I see the results?

Most hair transplant patients see results about 6 – 9 months after the surgery, while in a few cases it may take 15-18 months. Patients will experience regrowth of anywhere between 80% to 90% of the transplanted hair.

Is there pain after the procedure?

There may be slight pain the evening of which can be relieved with Tylenol or aspirin, but the next day there is usually no pain.

Do I have to get any medications on the way home?

Any medications you require will be provided at the office.

Is there extra costs involved?

No, the price given includes everything for the procedure, including shampoos, medications, and follow-up visits.

Are there other things I can do to help stop the loss and add more density after surgery?

Yes, you can use our special shampoos, which one bottle will be given to you after surgery. Also, there is Propecia (men-only medication), laser caps, PRP, and exosomes, all of which will be discussed with you either in your consultation or after your surgery.

Does any hair loss treatment for thin hair work better than others?

There are no studies published which compare the different treatments available today. Minoxidil, laser therapy, PRP, and Tricomin products all work differently to help hair to grow. That is why we recommend utilizing all the treatments available. As with many medical problems, it may take several types of treatment to get the best result.

Do any of the hair restoration treatments have any side effects? Are they safe?

All medical treatments may have some side effects. All of the recommended treatments at Medi Tresse are scientifically tested and have been found to have no serious side effects. Any skin or scalp treatments can cause localized itching or mild irritation, but all potential side effects will be discussed with you before starting treatment.

How much does your treatment cost?

We offer a wide array of hair loss treatments that vary greatly in price. The treatment plan for one patient will not be the same for another. Therefore, it is important to come in for a consultation to discuss what options may be available for you, and then you can determine what services or products are best for you.

FUT Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages to FUT?

  • Better option for those who need a high number of grafts in a single procedure
  • Most women opt for FUT, because it does not require extensive shaving of the back of the scalp.

How long do FUT procedures take?

The FUT procedure typically takes between 4 to 8 hours, depending on the number of grafts being transplanted and the complexity of the case. Most patients spend the day comfortably in the procedure room, able to relax, watch movies, and take breaks as needed while the surgical team works meticulously to ensure natural-looking results.

Do patients stay awake during FUT surgery?

The patients are awake during the procedure. Only local anesthesia is used. The patient may opt for valium to relax and rest during the procedure. The patient will be able to relax and watch a movie while the procedure is being performed.

What happens during the FUT procedure?

First, your doctor will sit with you in the consultation room and go over the details that were discussed in your consultation to ensure you are getting exactly what you want for your hair restoration procedure, including drawing a template that you will approve for the area and the hairline. Baseline photos will then be taken and you will be brought into the procedure room and the session will start. The hair in the donor area will be trimmed to about ¼ inch, the doctor will numb the area with local anesthesia, and the strip will be removed by the surgeon and handed to the technicians for dissection.

FUE Frequently Asked Questions

Is the FUE procedure painful?

After you are numbed up, there is no pain.

What happens during the FUE procedure?

First, your doctor will sit with you in the consultation room and go over the details that were discussed in your consultation to ensure you are getting exactly what you want for your hair restoration procedure, including drawing a template that you will approve for the area and the hairline. Baseline photos will then be taken and you will be brought into the procedure room and the session will start. The hair in the donor area will be trimmed to about 1 millimeter. The doctor will apply the local anesthesia and then he will use a motorized punch to remove the grafts. Next, the hairline is drawn and approved by the patient. The area is numbed by the surgeon. Small slits/holes are made in the recipient area by the surgeon at the proper angle, depth, and direction. The technicians will then insert the grafts with specialized forceps. When they are done, the donor and recipient areas are checked by the surgeon, instructions are read and the patient is then sent home.

Do patients stay awake during FUE Surgery?

The patients are awake during the procedure. Only local anesthesia is used. The patient may opt for valium to relax and rest during the procedure.

What are the advantages to FUE over FUT?

FUE has become the preferred choice for many patients for the following reasons:

  • Less painful
  • Causes minimal scarring
  • Can utilize hair from other parts of the body, not just the scalp
  • Is an option for patients with low hair density

Take Control of Your Hair Loss

Speak with Dr. DiStefano in person or virtually and get your personalized hair loss treatment plan.

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