As we age, most of us will experience some degree of hair loss, even if we do not have any significant health problems. Daily loss of a few hairs is expected, since it is a natural occurrence. When hair loss starts to increase, it may be due to a number of factors, including hormonal imbalances, such as the one caused by a thyroid malfunction.
Intense, sustained stress may also cause marked hair loss.
Certain medications, for instance those taken during chemotherapy for cancer treatments, may affect hair follicle cells to the point of causing a complete stop of hair production, with baldness as a result in women as well as in men, of any age.
Antidepressants, high blood pressure and birth control medications may also cause hair loss, as do
immune system disorders, trauma, skin infections, radiation treatments, childbirth, tight hairstyles, hair dyes and other chemicals applied to hair and the scalp.
Hair loss, also referred to as 'alopecia' does affect many women, although it is more frequent in adult males. Male-pattern baldness is 'androgenic,' meaning that it is usually caused by the influence on hair follicles of a testosterone derivative: DHT or Dehydrotestosterone.
53 years old male patient with marked, progressive hair loss. The picture on the right shows the results of ten Mesotherapy treatments at six months. The hairline, although irregular, is more defined, showing an excellent response to treatments by the remaining hair follicles.
46 years old female patient who started to lose hair gradually approximately three years before consultation. A careful treatment of a clinical condition was necessary before the application of Mesotherapy treatments. Pictures show progress at three and six months. The patient received treatments every fourteen days, and was very pleased with the results.
34 years old male patient who consulted for rapid hair loss, after using topical medications for several months with minimal results. He was started on Mesotherapy treatments after careful evaluation. Pictures show progress
at three and six months, after ten treatment sessions.
The most effective treatments for hair loss have been created in the past few years. At this time, Rogaine® [Minoxidil] and Proscar® [Finasteride] are the most frequently used medications used to minimize the effects of DHT on the hair follicles of the scalp.
It is important to note that it is not necessary for testosterone and its derivatives to be elevated to cause hair loss. It appears that cells at certain hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to these hormones, particularly on the front and center of the scalp, and unlike the ones on the back and the sides.
Rogaine® can be purchased without a prescription; Proscar® is a prescription medication designed to treat certain prostate problems. Women should not take Proscar®, or even handle it during pregnancy, due to genetic risks.
Proscar® is supplied in oral form and it seems to be more effective on certain patients, although it may cause some unpleasant side effects, such as urticaria [hives], facial swelling, etc; impotence could be avoided by reducing the dosage taken.
Rogaine® is a topical medication that should be applied to the scalp twice a day and its effects are not apparent, if effective, before six to twelve months of use. Treatments with this medication could be somewhat inconvenient due to its application and the time it takes to dry up on the scalp; Also, they require a significant degree of personal discipline to follow them, in order to achieve an acceptable outcome.
Of course, hair transplantation could be the most effective, and permanent, solution for hair loss; However, its use is limited by time, possibility of complications, and its high cost, which, as of December 2004, varies from eight to fourteen thousand dollars in the Washington, D.C. area.
Mesotherapy is an option to consider before hair transplantation, due to its safety, simplicity, good results, and low cost. It is performed at our offices in a few minutes, once or twice a month, does not require special care or use of daily medications.
How is it done?... Very small amounts of specially formulated medications are introduced under the skin by using microneedles [blue arrows in the picture], very close to the hair follicles, where they deliver their long-acting neutralizing effects on the DHT [Dehydrotestosterone] present, allowing for new hairs to grow...
Do Treatments Hurt?
Mesotherapy treatments do not hurt, because specially designed microneedles are used to introduce medications under the skin, at the hair follicle level [between one and five millimeters from the surface]. Some patients describe the feeling as a "slight, quick mosquito bite", while others do not experience any discomfort during treatments.
Are There Any Reactions to the Treatments?
Occasionally, some patients may notice a mild redness on the treated areas; However, this effect disappears in a few minutes. The medications used for Mesotherapy treatments have a local, sustained effect, and are not absorbed beyond the upper layers of the skin.
The medications used at our practice are pure and very carefully formulated, eliminating the possibility of occasional allergic or other reactions, which have become more frequent with the use of topical use preparations, mostly due to 'stabilizers,' preservatives and other chemicals they are mixed with.
Are Mesotherapy Treatments Effective?
Yes, our treatments are very effective, quick and comfortable. We use only the best, FDA-approved, sterile, specially formulated medications, plus the best disposable, high medical grade supplies available.
Mesotherapy treatments work best when applied early, during progressive hair loss due to the effect of DHT [Dehydrotestosterone] on scalp hair follicles, in men as well as in women. Results with our treatments are not satisfactory in advanced baldness and when hair follicles are not able to produce new hair, for a number of different reasons.
How Soon Do Hairs Start to Grow?
For hairs to start growing after Mesotherapy treatments, it is necessary that receptive hair follicles return to their normal productive cycles. This may take from twelve to sixteen weeks on a given treated area of the scalp; this time period is normal for any area of our bodies.
As we mention above, Mesotherapy techniques deliver tiny droplets of proven, effective medications under the skin, very close to the hair follicles. These medications neutralize the slowing effect that DHT [Dehydrotestosterone] has on the normal growth of healthy hairs, on both men and women. As a consequence, hair will grow again, over time.
Growing new hairs in the treated areas look very thin in the beginning, but return to a normal appearance as the hair follicles regain their energy.
How Many Treatments Would I need?
The number of Mesotherapy treatments necessary to slow hair loss and to promote hair growth, varies from patient to patient, depending on the cause of the loss [medications, trauma, DHT, etc.], the size of the area to be treated, age of the patient, medications taken, and several other important factors. Hair follicles should be able to produce new hairs in order for Mesotherapy treatments to be successful.
All our patients are examined and carefully evaluated before starting any Mesotherapy treatments.
Are Any Other Medications Necessary After Treatments?
No, it is not necessary to take any medications [other than the ones already being taken for other conditions] or use any topical preparations between Mesotherapy treatments.
The medications we use are introduced into the scalp's skin layers and have a lasting effect of approximately ten to fourteen days. Also, because of their safety and the minimal amount used, they would not react with any other medications our patients are taking at the time of treatments.
Is It Necessary to Continue Treatments After Hair Grows Back?
At this time, 'maintenance' Mesotherapy treatments are necessary in order to prolong positive, satisfactory results, although not as frequently as regular treatments. This is due to the nature of the medications we have at this time; research continues, and we are confident that new ones --perhaps with longer, lasting effects, would become available in the future...
Hair Loss Treatment Fees: $280 to $460
Per Treatment Session, depending on the size of treatable areas.
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