Hair Loss
Patients may experience hair loss from chemical, tension, heat, trauma, illness, hormone changes or other types of reasons. After a thorough consultation, Dr. Jing Jing can recommend the best type of treatments available to address your specific type of hair loss.
In our practice, hair loss is viewed in a step wise fashion.
Step 1: Topical medications and oral medications
Minoxidil (Rogaine): is really the only FDA approved, over the counter, topical medication for Hair Loss. Traditionally, Minoxidil is suspended in an alcohol-based solution. So, even though it known to grow hair, when applied to African American types of hair (porous hair, chemically or heat-treated hair) this alcohol content tends to cause breakage, which in turn worsens the hair loss issue. To combat this issue, we have compounded our Miracle Serum 7 Minoxidil Suspension, which is 7% Minoxidil (higher than over than over the counter Men’s Extra Strength Rogaine), however this Minoxidil is NOT delivered in an alcohol medium. Instead, we mixed this Minoxidil with an Argan Oil, Cream Base thus producing a very smooth, silky textured, leave in conditioning treatment that will also help restore hair.
Supplements: Biotin tablets (10000 units) and Lysine tablets (1000 units) can both be helpful, as well as prescription Propecia® (for men only).
Step 2: Platelet Rich Plasma Injections (PRP)
Platelets are powerful agents involved in wound healing and cellular growth. Currently there are numerous studies high-lighting the benefits of PRP in Hair Restoration.
Patients are asked to present to our office well hydrated, and prior to their procedure, a small blood sample is taken and from this sample the patient’s platelet rich protein is harvested. This “liquid gold” fertilizer, is then placed back into the scalp by injection or via Collagen Induction Therapy.
To ensure patient comfort, we numb the area being treated with anesthesia prior to treatment. Most patient report little to no down time for this procedure.
Step 3: Laser Light Therapy
Low Level Light Therapy at 830nm wavelength has “resulted in greater stimulation of hair growth than the other wavelengths examined…”
Patients may enjoy LLLT at 830nm combined with other Laser therapies at therapeutic wavelengths for 30 minute sessions, twice weekly, for optional therapy results.
These treatments are relaxing, pain-free, and have been proven to be effective.
Step 4: ExoFlo™ Exosomes Treatment
ExoFlo™ are not cells but microvessicles, a type of extracellular vesicle (EV) that are released from the cell membrane, that contain no nucleus or DNA.
Exosomes are the latest generation of naturally bioactive amnion-based products for patient treatment of hair thinning and loss.
It is viewed as one of the purest forms of cellular therapy available, as their function provides tissue stimulation and wound healing by triggering the patient’s own regenerative cells to become active. Regenerative cells by nature work to heal, repair, stimulate, and restore cells and tissues.
The tiny size of EVs allows for easy injection with local anesthesia into the superficial dermis of scalp. The procedure is performed in the same manner as other simple procedures done in our office, such as PRP injections.
More About Exosomes
Exosomes are naturally found in every part of the body. Exosomes act as paracrine effectors, i.e., they have a role in signaling or stimulating nearby cells. The stimulating effect upon tissues and cells is caused by transferring biochemical stimulating contents from one cell to another. These messengers are termed exosomes and microvesicles, collectively known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). In simple words, Exosomes "tell" targets cell to 'do something or stimulate some action.'
Additional uses: ExoFlo™ Exosomes are used to stimulate and orchestrate natural tissue restoration and regeneration across various applications in burns, orthopedics, plastic surgery, general surgery, chronic wounds, podiatry, and more. As a result, this form of cellular therapy can be used to treat additional skin conditions as well, such as hair loss.
Please call our office today if we can help your hair loss issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I experiencing hair loss?
There are numerous causes for hair loss such as prolonged, continuous perming (sodium hydroxide) over an inflamed scalp (see above). Continuous perming, coloring, pulling, tugging, tension are all serious causes of hair loss.
There are also biological reasons that can contribute to hair loss such as PCOS (Polycysitic Ovarian Syndrome), Diabetes, Hypertension, Thyroid Hormone imbalances, Auto-immune spectrum illness such as Lupus, and Metabolic illnesses such as Obesity, Metabolic syndrome, and Hyperinsulinemia.
What can I do to stop hair loss?
As the causes of hair loss are various, the treatments can be various as well. However, in general, we treat hair loss in a step wise fashion, starting with topical medications and some vitamin oral supplementation. This is followed by more invasion procedures such as placement or micro-needling PRP (Platelet Rich Protein), and even Exosomes. ExoFlo is the latest product we have been using in our arsenal against hair loss. The most important factor is a thorough scalp evaluation to see if these treatments would be suitable for you.
How long is the treatment?
In general, hair grows slowly, so once you notice hair loss, it’s imperative to be evaluated and receive treatment as soon as possible. Depending on the type of hair loss, and the level of aggressive treatment, we can see moderate hair growth in as soon as weeks, in other patients, it can take significantly longer. Just using topical medications, most patients notice changes about 6 months into treatment, usually significantly quicker with more invasive and aggressive treatments, however each individual’s treatment plan and results vary.
How much does hair and scalp treatment cost?
The cost for hair loss treatment really depends on the type of hair loss and how aggressive the patient wants to tackle the issue. This is why we suggest a step wise progression of treatment, but it really depends of the condition of the scalp.
Our proprietary Miracle 7 Minoxidil Serum compound is priced at $95.00 plus shipping and handling. It is a high-strength Minoxidil reformulated in a medium more tolerable to porous hair. The result is something similar to a leave-in conditioner that can be applied directed to temples, anterior hair line, or where you are experiencing hair loss.
African American, Hispanic, and Asian patients tend to have coarse, porous hair. Medications like over the counter Minoxidil extra strength solution 5% (Rogaine) are suspended in an alcohol base, which tend to cause breakage, thus we compounded our Miracle 7 Serum with this specific issue in mind.
Other more aggressive treatment prices depend on the extent of hair loss, duration of hair loss and to a great extent, the patient’s existing state of health in general.