Are Laser Hair Treatments Effective?

There is some debate about the effectiveness of laser hair therapy. Some, including hair restoration doctors, believe it is a beneficial tool that can be effective in the treatment of hair loss. While others don’t believe there is enough evidence to prove this is an effective tool for hair loss prevention.

Most people who notice results from laser light hair therapy are those who use it in combination with other hair loss prevention products like minoxidil (Rogaine or Provillus), Propecia or to help improve healing after hair transplant surgery. Unlike Propecia, which has only been approved for men, laser hair restoration can be used as a male or female hair loss treatment.

How Does Laser Hair Restoration Work?

Laser light therapy works on the principal of photo-biostimulation. The laser delivers light energy to the hair follicle which increases circulation and blood flow within the treated scalp. The theory is that this increased circulation will revitalize follicles that are still active to promote hair growth and strengthening of the hair. Blood flow helps provide the follicle with important nutrients while it also allows the cells to dispose of any waste products.

Laser hair therapy is meant to stimulate hair follicles that are functioning at a lower level, producing thinner hair. It won’t work on follicles that are “dead” and no longer capable of producing or growing new hair.

Types of Laser Hair Therapy

There are two main types of laser laser therapy for hair loss — in office therapy or at home therapy. There are hair restoration clinics that specialize in laser hair treatments. During this type of hair loss treatment the patient sits under a dome-shaped device that is lined with low level lasers — low level laser therapy for hair is a type of laser therapy that doesn’t break the skin. Instead the laser energy is absorbed by the skin where it helps to stimulate the blood supply in the deeper tissues of the scalp.

The patient usually comes in regularly for a set period of time, and in most cases the laser hair restoration treatment includes the use of other products like Rogaine along with the laser hair loss therapy. Unfortunately these treatments can be quite expensive and from what I have studied the results seem to be mixed.

Laser Comb

The other type is home laser hair therapy with the use of a laser comb. The laser comb was approved by the FDA as a medical device to treat hair loss, but as mentioned before there is a great deal of debate as to the effectiveness of this type of hair loss prevention tool.

This is often recommended along with the use of other therapies like Rogaine or Propecia. It is also sometimes recommended after hair restoration surgery, like an FUE hair transplant. Because it increases circulation it can aid in the healing process of the newly placed hair implants.

The LaserComb is generally used three or more times a week for 10-15 minutes on areas where there is noticeable hair thinning. There are a few brands on the market, most cost around $500; the first one was the Hair Max Laser Comb.

Some people have experienced a noticeable difference using laser hair restoration, but unfortunately there is still a good deal of debate around this method of hair loss prevention.

Laser Hair Restoration is a post from: Hair Loss Prevention Help

While hair transplant surgery isn’t a method of hair loss prevention, for many it is an effective way to minimize the look of thinning hair and provide the look of thicker hair. In fact results from current FUE hair transplants can be quiet impressive when preformed by a skilled hair transplant surgeon. A follicular hair transplant won’t give you more hair than you already have, this hair restoration procedure simply redistributes your hair in a way that makes it look like you have more hair, often providing a new and natural-looking hair line.

FUE Hair Transplant for Women and Men

This can be an effective method of hair replacement for women and men. When it comes to modern hair transplant women are good subjects because hair loss in women usually results in a general hair thinning instead of the balding we see in men with androgenetic alopecia. With this type of hair transplant for women usually follicular units are moved to create an appearance of fuller hair, with an FUE hair transplant for men sometimes a new hair line is created as well. FUE hair transplants provide an effective receding hairline treatment for men who are good candidates for this type of hair restoration surgery.

This can be a very effective method of female hair loss treatment as well as male hair loss treatment for those who are good candidates. A consultation with a qualified hair restoration surgeon is the best way to find out if you are a good candidate for this type of procedure.

Follicular Unit Extraction vs Strip Harvesting

Follicular Unit Extraction

With strip harvesting for surgical hair replacement a strip of scalp containing healthy follicles is removed from the patients scalp to be used as the donor tissue. Follicular units — natural groups of 1 to 4 hairs — are taken from this donor tissue, or strip, then transplanted back onto the patients head where the thinning is occurring.

With FUE harvesting the follicular units are removed directly from the patients scalp then reinserted where the patient is experiencing thinning.

Advantages of FUE

• no linear scar, better for patients who want very short hair
• allows for quicker recovery with reduced pain or discomfort
• less healing time for the donor area
• useful if only a limited amount of grafts are needed
• possible to harvest fine hair from nape of neck to be used for receding hairline treatment or for an eyebrow transplant

Disadvantages of FUE

• the donor area covers a larger area of the scalp which can cause the hair to appear thinner in the donor area, and some follicular units may be taken from borderline areas meaning those hair implants may not be permanent (if the patient would have naturally lost them in time in their original location)
• not as many people are good candidates for this
• more chance for damage to the grafted hair follicle or inability to get the complete follicular unit
• overall smaller yield of successful grafts
• harder to get a natural distribution as larger follicular units are targeted but may not be as good for places like the hairline

For the best long term results consider incorporating other hair loss treatments with hair replacement surgery. Some doctors recommend the use of laser hair restoration, like a laser comb, to help increase healing after the surgery. Others will recommend taking a prescription medication like Propecia, or saw palmetto if you prefer natural hair loss treatment, to help prevent existing hair from thinning.

As with any hair replacement surgery it is important to know that not all people are suitable candidates for this type of procedure. Candidates need good donor areas on the back of the head and sides of the head where there is healthy hair growth. Before you commit be sure to discuss all the risks and benefits with your hair transplant surgeon to make sure this is the right form of hair loss treatment for you.

Finding a skilled hair transplant surgeon is another important part of the equation. If you need help finding an experienced, skilled surgeon check with reputable organizations like International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS). They can often help guide you in the right direction.

For those good candidates who choose hair transplant surgery, whether using strip or FUE hair transplant, the results can help increase self-confidence and enhance their appearance, which can be pretty life-changing as this is a permanent form of hair replacement that provides a natural look and feel.

FUE Hair Transplant is a post from: Hair Loss Prevention Help

Natural hair loss treatment methods can be used alone or along with other alopecia treatments like minoxidil (Rogain) or finasteride (Propecia). In fact Provillus comes as a two part system including a minoxidil topical and supplements for hair loss. Just be sure to let your doctor know about any hair growth supplements you are taking.

Hair Loss Supplements

Biotin – Biotin, one of the B vitamins and a key vitamin for hair loss, is an important component of healthy hair, skin and nails. It is an essential nutrient for new hair growth. While we can get it in the foods we eat, it is difficult to eat enough of those foods to get what we really need when trying to prevent hair loss.

Vitamin B12 – Another B Vitamin that is essential for hair growth is vitamin B12. Many people, especially women suffering from hair loss, are deficient in this important vitamin. Sometimes restoring the body to healthy levels of vitamin B12 can improve hair loss.

Iron – Women are more apt to be deficient in iron because of their reproductive cycle. A deficiency of iron can result in anemia, which is sometimes a cause of hair loss in women. Even if the deficiency is slight it can play a role in thinning hair. If lack of iron is the cause of female hair loss, adding more iron-rich foods to the diet, like spinach and broccoli, can help.

Zinc – Zinc is another important hair loss nutrient. But zinc needs to be taken with copper because too much zinc can cause a deficiency in copper, which in turn can actually cause hair loss. With this one it is probably best to stick to the dosage in a multi-vitamin or add more zinc-rich foods to your diet.

Essential Fatty Acids – Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, like omega 3, are found in walnuts, soy, fish and canola oil. EFAs are good fats that have anti-inflammatory properties. Not only are they good for your general health, but it seems they may also contribute to healthy hair.

Saw Palmetto – The most effective herbal hair loss treatment for men includes the use of saw palmetto. This herbal hair loss supplement may work somewhat the same as the hair loss drug finasteride, more commonly known as Propecia. There is no clinical evidence on it’s ability to prevent hair loss yet, but there is some promising research that it could be the most useful herbs for hair growth, at least in men. Whether or not it may be able to stop hair loss in women isn’t known. Women taking any type any female hormones like birth control or HRT should consult a physician before taking saw palmetto.

MSM – Methylsulfonylmethane or MSM naturally provides sulfur to the body, which is necessary for healthy keratin and collagen production, and in turn healthy hair.

Diet & Exercise to Prevent Hair Loss

Maintaining a healthy diet is an important part of any natural hair loss treatment plan. Eat whole grains that are high in B vitamins and make sure you eat plenty of foods rich in zinc, iron and EFAs. In most cases it may be helpful to add a hair loss supplement or hair loss vitamins to your daily routine as well.

There is no direct evidence that exercise can prevent hair loss, but increased circulation can help keep the hair follicles healthy by increasing the flow of oxygen to cells in the body. Beyond the other well-known good reasons to exercise it can help reduce stress, and in some cases stress can be a cause of hair loss.

A healthy, well-balanced diet along with regular moderate exercise is a good prescription for better overall health, so not only is it a natural hair loss treatment, it is also a good step towards better health.

Massage Treatment

One natural hair loss remedy that has been successful for some experiencing temporary hair loss is the use of massage. Massaging the scalp for a few minutes every day can help stimulate blood flow.

Other Natural Hair Loss Remedies

There are a number of other natural hair loss remedies you may have run across in your search for an effective hair loss prevention treatment. Unfortunately most of these don’t have much evidence to back them up, but for those that don’t have negative side effects, some feel it is worth trying.

One safe natural hair loss remedy is the use of sage tea and apple cider vinegar applied to the scalp to stimulate hair growth.

Horesetail is an herbal treatment for hair loss that some have used. Horsetail contains silica which is one of the components of healthy hair.

Natural treatments for hair loss can be effective for some, but first it is important to diagnose the reason for hair loss. Once you know the hair loss cause you can discover if natural hair loss treatment is a good option for you.

Natural Hair Loss Treatment is a post from: Hair Loss Prevention Help

Should I Buy Provillus?

The most important thing is to know the cause of hair loss. If you don’t know what is causing your thinning hair you may not know how to treat it correctly. Provillus is a form of non-surgical hair restoration intended for people with male-patterned baldness or female-patterned baldness, otherwise knows as androgenetic alopecia.

Topicals like Rogaine or Provillus are often recommended after hair transplant surgery, like FUE hair transplant, to help prevent further hair loss and keep the new thicker look created by the hair replacement surgery.

Before you consider buying any type of hair loss product you should know a little about them first. Read a number of Provillus reviews, don’t just go by a single Provillus review to make your decision. Understand the benefits and drawbacks so you know what to expect.

How Does Provillus Work?

The main part of the Provillus Hair Growth System is a topical hair loss treatment containing minoxidil. Minoxidil is one of the few things that has been proven to prevent hair loss in some and help promote hair growth when used regularly.

The topical solution in Provillus has the same level of minoxidil and works basically like Rogaine. The benefit if you buy Provillus Hair Growth System is that it also comes with a hair growth supplement so you can treat hair loss from the inside at the same time you treat your scalp for hair loss. The hair loss supplement contains herbs, vitamins and minerals targeted to promote hair growth.

With this hair loss treatment system you get both a proven minoxidil topical treatment and a natural hair loss treatment with the hair growth supplements.

Provillus For Men

Provillus for Men

Provillus hair growth treatment for men comes with the topical hair loss treatment and growth supplements specifically designed for men. The topical hair loss solution contains 5% minoxidil, the most common amount recommended for male hair loss.

The hair loss supplement includes vitamins for hair loss as well as minerals and herbs including things like biotin, zinc and saw palmetto.

Provillus For Women

Provillus for Women

Provillus hair growth treatment for women also comes with the topical hair loss treatment and hair loss supplements. But this package is specifically designed for women. The women’s topical hair loss solution contains 2% minoxidil. Because women’s systems are different than men’s, a lower dose of minoxidil is recommended for women, 2% minoxidil is pretty standard in hair loss treatment for women.

The women’s hair loss supplement has some of the same ingredients as the men’s formula, but there are a few differences. It contains vitamins for hair loss, like biotin and B6, along with minerals like magnesium, and herbs like horsetail silica.

Before you buy Provillus make sure you are committed to using it correctly. As with any minoxidil scalp treatment made for hair loss prevention you need to apply it twice a day, every day in order for it to be effective. But if you use it regularly and still are not happy with the results fortunately they offer a money back guarantee.

If you decide to buy Provillus be sure to follow the package directions carefully. Using more won’t make you grow more hair or grow hair faster, it will probably just cost you more, and you may experience more side effects.

Buy Provillus? is a post from: Hair Loss Prevention Help

Unfortunately in some cases there is no easy hair loss remedy or easy way to prevent hair loss. But it is important to get a diagnosis so you know what you are dealing with. Once you receive an accurate diagnosis you can move forward in the best direction for your specific situation.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Here are some of the main hair loss causes. Because some of these causes of hair loss are somewhat uncommon you may want to seek a second opinion if you don’t agree with your original diagnosis. In order to get an accurate diagnosis it may be important to find a dermatologist who has had experience with your specific condition.

• Androgenetic alopecia. AGA for short, this is the most common of the known hair loss causes, both hair loss in men and in women. It is more commonly called male-patterned baldness or female-patterned hair loss. With Androgenetic alopecia genetics, or heredity, is the key factor determining whether or not you will experience this type of balding and at what age you will start to experience hair thinning or loss of hair, as well as the speed and pattern of hair loss. With AGA the hair growth and resting phases are altered. In some cases the hairs become thinner and more superficially rooted so they fall out easier, in some cases the follicles die or become incapable of growing healthy hair.
• Telogen effluvium. Hair loss from TE is generally caused by stress or a shock to your system, either physical or emotional. Things that can trigger this include emotional distress, a metabolic disturbance, or an illness. TE causes a disturbance of the regular hair cycle, causing roots to be pushed to the resting state prematurely. New hair growth will typically occur after the condition is corrected, but it may take a few months.
• Alopecia areata. The cause of this is uncertain but alopecia areata is considered an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Some researchers feel there is a genetic predisposition for this condition and that a specific trigger sets it off. New hair growth will generally occur, but a person with this may lose and regrow hair multiple times.
• Scarring alopecia. This causes permanent hair loss and prevents new hair from growing because inflammation has caused damage and scarring of the hair follicle.
• Traction alopecia and hair treatments. Traction alopecia is caused by hairstyles like ponytails and cornrows that pull too tightly on the hair. If it continues too long and the same hair is pulled out over and over again the hair follicle can become damaged and stop growing new hair. Chemicals used in hair treatments can also cause hair loss if the hair becomes too damaged and breaks off, but only if used incorrectly or overused; however this generally isn’t seen as a true form of hair loss.
• Scalp infections. Ringworm and other scalp infections can also lead to hair loss. But once the infection has been treated new hair growth should occur.
• Medications. Besides chemotherapy certain medications can also cause hair loss in some people, specifically medications for treating depression, arthritis, gout, heart problems, high blood pressure and birth control pills for some women. In some cases it will be temporary hair loss but for others these medications may trigger the onset of androgenetic alopecia or permanent hair loss.
• Medical treatments. Undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy can also cause alopecia. But once the treatment is complete typically new hair will grow.
• Hormone changes. Alopecia can be caused by an imbalance or hormonal change, but this usually results in temporary hair loss in women. Things like pregnancy, menopause, an over or underactive thyroid or stopping birth control pills can cause this type of female hair loss. The thinning hair will be noticeable about three months after the hormonal change, it will then take about three more months for hair regrowth. The best hair loss prevention for women, in some cases, means correcting a hormonal imbalance.
• Poor nutrition. There is some debate about how much nutrition plays a role in hair loss prevention, but lack of certain vitamins, minerals and protein can play a role. This is generally only when someone is severely deficient though. Things like fad diets and eating disorders may cause poor nutrition resulting in hair loss.

If you are serious about preventing hair loss it is important to arm yourself with knowledge. Read and research so you can empower yourself with accurate information about the causes of hair loss and so you can find viable hair loss treatment options. Also follow basic hair loss prevention tips to make sure you aren’t stressing your hair or scalp unnecessarily.

Causes Of Hair Loss is a post from: Hair Loss Prevention Help