Hair Loss Treatments for Men

What’s the best hair loss treatment for men?

Patterned hair loss is a chronic, progressive condition that affects men and women, but it is more prevalent in males. While FDA-approved medications such as minoxidil and finasteride are commonly prescribed as first-line hair loss treatments for men, their effectiveness is variable, and they may cause unwanted side effects. Our specially trained medical professionals offer one of the best hair loss treatments for men: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Clinically researched and minimally invasive, PRP is an effective and efficient hair loss treatment for men that is administered at any of our medical clinics in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

PRP treatments utilise your blood cells to accelerate healing, making it a safer treatment option than many other hair growth products for men. In this article, we explain what causes hair loss and how PRP can be used to stimulate the growth of stronger hair follicles.

Understanding Hair Loss

The hair growth cycle follows phases of growth, rest, and renewal, and most people lose an average of 100 hairs a day. When you have enough new hair growth, this loss is not noticeable. However, when you don’t have enough new hair to replace it, bald patches and visible thinning can occur. 

How Common Is Hair Loss?

Hair loss is more common in men than women, affecting one in five Caucasian men in their 20s, one in three men in their 30s, and almost half of men in their 40s. Whilst its a common condition, it can be a difficult to navigate the many options for hair loss treatments for men.

Causes Of Hair Loss

Patterned hair loss is the most common cause of balding in men and women, and it is caused by the interplay of hormonal and genetic factors. Patterned hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia, is a progressive thinning of your hair that follows a predictable pattern. Usually the hair at the temples and hairline start receding first, followed by the hair on the crown. If it is left untreated, the remaining hair forms a horseshoe shape around the back of the head.

In a typical hair-growth cycle, your hair remains in a growth phase for two to six years before it falls out and is replaced by new hair. With male pattern baldness, the hairs have a shorter growth phase (of weeks or months instead of years) before they fall out, resulting in bald patches and thinning. Male pattern baldness also causes hair follicles to shrink.

Hair loss can be caused by other factors such as:

• Autoimmune conditions
• Hormonal imbalances
• Radiation therapy
• Infection
• Emotional distress
  

It is advisable to consult with a medical specialist so you can understand the cause of your hair loss, before deciding on a treatment plan. 

Hair Loss Treatments for Men

There is no miracle cure for patterned hair loss, and the approved treatments focus on slowing down balding and reversing its effects. Hair loss treatments for men are most effective in the early stages of thinning, when hair loss is still mild.

Safe & effective hair loss treatment for men: Plasma Hair Restoration

PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) is a safe and effective hair loss treatment for men that uses plasma (the liquid part of your blood) to stimulate new hair growth naturally. Platelets are responsible for blood clotting and are rich in growth factors that initiate cell reproduction and tissue regeneration and healing in damaged hair follicles. 

Clinical studies have shown an increase in blood vessels and circulation, as well as thicker follicles in patients treated with PRP. Ultimately PRP increases blood supply to the hair follicles, increasing the thickness and strength of the hair shaft. Furthermore, no side effects have been reported, and there is no downtime or recovery period after treatment. 

What to expect from a PRP for Hair Loss procedure:

Plasma Hair Restoration (PRP) is a three-step process where a vial of your blood is drawn, processed, activated and injected. 

After it has been drawn, your blood is placed in a centrifuge, where spinning separates it into three layers:

• Platelet-poor plasma
• Platelet-rich plasma
• Red blood cells

The platelet-rich plasma is collected in a syringe and injected into the parts of your scalp you want to treat. 

What results can you expect?

Each client follows a customised treatment plan that factors in how advanced your hair loss is.  While some clients notice immediate results, the standard treatment time is approximately three months. Booster treatments can be given every three to four months if desired.

The first step should always be a consultation to discuss the treatment with our hair loss specialists, book in for a free consultation at any of clinics in Sydney, Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

Other popular hair loss treatments for men include:

Surgical hair transplants

Hair transplant surgery is a more invasive option for hair loss treatments for men. It usually involves transplanting hairs from thicker to thinner parts of the scalp. Sometimes skin patches are transplanted and bald patches are removed. The procedure can take four to eight hours and you can expect to see results six to nine months later. In some clients, it can take up to 12 months to see results. Recovery can take 10 to 14 days, depending on the procedure you have done, and you must follow your surgeon’s post-surgical care instructions.

Low-level laser light therapy for hair loss

Low-level laser therapy (also called red light and cold laser therapy) has also been used to stimulate hair growth, with limited results. It is believed to improve circulation and stimulate the growth of hair follicles.

Laser therapy for hair loss is a time-consuming process, requiring a few sessions a week over the course of a few months. Current research indicates it is more effective in the early stages of hair loss. It is contra-indicated with some medications. 

Oral and topical medications for male pattern baldness

There are two medications approved for the treatment of patterned hair loss: 

• Minoxidil: a topical treatment
• Finasteride: an oral prescription medication

Minoxidil can slow down the rate of hair loss, however, the results are not the same for everyone and some clients develop scalp irritation. Minoxidil only works for as long as you use it and needs to be applied twice a day. It can take six to 12 months to see results.

Finasteride has been found to slow down hair loss in 80 to 90% of men who take it. It can be used in conjunction with Minoxidil and clients usually see results in about six months. Prescription medications carry side unwanted side effects and, just like Minoxidil, Finasteride doesn’t work when you stop taking it.

The Benefits Of PRP Over Other Hair Loss Products For Men

These are some of the reasons we recommend platelet-rich plasma for hair loss to Advanced Dermatology clients:

• The procedure is quick and easy to administer
• There is no downtime or recovery period
• Platelet-rich plasma is minimally-invasive
• There are no reported side effects
• PRP is a natural way to stimulate hair growth
• It is clinically proven and safe

While there are a lot of hair growth products for men on the market, many of them are not clinically tested or proven to address balding and hair loss. Please contact us for a free consultation to assess the best hair loss treatment for your needs or book in for a free consultation at one of our 4 locations.