Which hair loss treatments really work?
Hair loss can be a traumatic experience for both men and women. There are multiple reasons for changes to your hair throughout your lifetime, with fluctuating hormones and lifestyle factors playing a key role. Anything from stress, genetics, hormones and poor diet to weight changes and pregnancy can impact our hair. Whilst the cause of male-pattern baldness is most likely to be down to genetics, for women over 40, hair loss or thinning is most likely to be linked to the menopause.
If you have noticed changes in your hair and want to prevent further hair loss, you may be wondering where to invest your time and money for the best results. Here we look at several lifestyle changes and treatments that will help to strengthen your hair, stop hair loss in its tracks, and repair any existing damage.
Do hair loss supplements work?
If your hair loss is down to a deficiency, then a supplement could help. A lack of vitamin C can lead to brittle hair, whilst hair thinning could be a sign that you’re lacking in iron, B vitamins and vitamin D. By replacing these essential vitamins and minerals you could help to prevent further hair loss.
Viviscal Professional is formulated with biotin and a marine protein vital for hair growth, plus iron to help oxygenate the blood supply to your follicles. It uses a rich protein complex to promote hair growth, health, density, and strength. It also contains apple extract to promote a soft, healthy finish.
Can I find out what is causing my hair loss?
The Trichotest is an advanced DNA test that fully explains your genetic characteristics and how they relate to your hair loss. This information provides your hair specialist with a deep understanding of the causes of your hair loss and will enable them to provide a fully personalised treatment plan.
The beauty of the Trichotest is that it takes the trial and error out of hair restoration treatments. So you can start with the most appropriate treatment approaches and ultimately, see the best results possible.
How can I tackle hormonal fluctuations?
Changing hormone levels during pregnancy and the perimenopause (the period your body goes through as it transitions into the menopause) can affect your hair. During perimenopause, hair loss can occur due to plummeting levels of oestrogen and an increase in testosterone. Reduced oestrogen levels may also mean hair doesn’t grow as long as before. Once you’ve ruled out other causes, Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) could be an option.
BHRT restores oestrogen levels, which alleviates menopause symptoms such as hair thinning. Always speak to a medical professional about the right option for you.
Does diet have an impact?
A diet lacking in nutrients can affect hair health, as it needs the right vitamins and minerals from food to grow. Certain foods can improve hair quality whilst deficiencies can cause hair loss or thinning, so a balanced diet is key. Protein and iron-rich foods such as red meat and dark, leafy greens, are crucial for strengthening the hair. Vitamin C is also beneficial as it helps the body to absorb iron effectively. But before you switch up your diet, it’s wise to ensure there isn’t an underlying issue contributing to your hair loss. Have your iron levels and thyroid function checked, and then consider working with a nutritionist to optimise your diet.
Treatments to consider
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP works to stimulate the production of new hair cells. During treatment, your practitioner will take a vial of your blood, usually no more than the average blood test would require, and they’ll spin it in a centrifuge to create plasma rich in platelets. This is then infused or injected into your scalp, where the platelets will release growth factors and encourage hair growth.
PRP can also be combined with microneedling to help deliver the growth factors deeper into the scalp. The tiny injuries caused by the microneedling cause your body to deploy its healing capacity, including regenerating your hair follicles, leading to increased hair growth and thickening.
HydraFacial Keravive
Poor scalp health is a significant contributor to damaged and thinning hair. The Keravive by HydraFacial uses patented vortex technology to unclog hair follicles, boost circulation and remove dead skin and congestion while nourishing and hydrating the scalp.
The treatment infuses a proprietary blend of skin proteins and growth factors to encourage the growth of thicker, healthier and stronger looking hair. It works well as an individual treatment but can also be combined with other hair restoration treatments such as PRP to enhance results.
Calecim Professional Stem Cell Serum
By sourcing the stem cells from the cord lining, Calecim Professional serum offers the highest concentration of stem cells that can be extracted safely and without harming any animals.
These cells contain a potent mixture of proteins, cytokines, and growth factors, to improve skin and scalp health, promote skin and hair rejuvenation and give life-changing results. Again, we can combine this treatment with microneedling to open micro-channels in the scalp for better, faster serum absorption, making it more effective overall.
To find out more about our treatment options or book a consultation with one of our expert practitioners, click here.
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Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.