Non-Surgical Hair Restoration
Newport Beach, CA
While surgery is a highly effective option for hair restoration, you may also want to pursue non-surgical procedures as a precursor to surgery and to supplement results from FUE or FUT. These treatments are especially useful when started during the beginning stages of hair loss and can be used for preventive purposes.
Some patients experience ideal results with non-surgical treatments alone, while others use these treatments until they’re ready for hair restoration surgery.
Explore your options below for our popular non-surgical hair loss treatments.
Finasteride (Propecia)
Finasteride is an FDA-approved medication that is widely used for hair loss. This medication prevents hair loss and stimulates regrowth by inhibiting the production of DHT, which plays a role in causing pattern baldness. When this medication is used during the first stages of hair loss, it may significantly cut down on the amount of thinning you experience.
Once the patient stops taking the medication, the body will begin to create DHT again, so the medicine must be taken long-term to maintain the results. While it’s not a lifetime cure, Finasteride is an excellent choice for those who don’t feel ready to pursue surgical hair restoration.
Minoxidil (Rogaine®)
Minoxidil is a medicated topical treatment for hair loss. This treatment is a vasodilator, which widens blood vessels. When Minoxidil is applied topically, it allows follicles to receive more nutrients through increased blood flow. This encourages healthy regrowth and stimulates dormant follicles to an active phase. It also sheds old hairs, so they can be replaced with new, healthy hair growth.
It is usually applied once or twice per day for optimal results. Like Finasteride, this treatment must be continued to maintain the results.
PRP Therapy
PRP therapy is an innovative procedure that uses the patient’s blood to stimulate new hair growth. After the patient’s blood is drawn, it is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other blood components. This platelet rich plasma is then injected into various areas of the scalp.
The growth factors found in blood platelets help activate hair and skin cells. As a result, hair follicles in the treated area are stimulated and produce new growth. To increase effects from PRP therapy, Dr. Varona frequently performs the procedure with ACell, which establishes a temporary scaffold at the treatment site and attracts stem cells for optimal hair growth.
Scalp Micropigmentation
For patients who have minimal hair loss and don’t feel ready for surgery, scalp micropigmentation can significantly improve the appearance of the visible scalp. Scalp micropigmentation is, in effect, a medical tattoo. The style will be completely customized to your preferred aesthetic.
Men often choose to have small dots on their scalp to match the appearance of a full head of shaved hair, while women typically opt for longer brush strokes to look like long hair strands. The results are not permanent, but scalp micropigmentation is an excellent option for those seeking treatment to bridge the gap between non-invasive and surgical procedures.