If you are experiencing hair loss, it can be an upsetting and frustrating development—especially if you have not yet hit middle age. When looking at options to deal with your hair loss, you’re likely interested in non-surgical solutions that are less expensive and invasive than transplantation. Rogaine® often ends up at the top of most people’s lists who find themselves in this situation. As a hair restoration specialist, Dr. Varona is very knowledgeable about Rogaine® and what it can (and can’t) do for those who are losing their hair. Here is what you need to know about Rogaine® and if it will work for your situation.
How Rogaine® Works
Minoxidil, commercially known as Rogaine®, is an FDA-approved, over-the-counter treatment for male and female pattern baldness that comes in a liquid or foam. Considered a vasodilator, Rogaine® is believed to work by enlarging hair follicles and elongating the growth period of hair. If more follicles grow in this phase, you should see an increase in hair coverage. To work, Rogaine® must be applied consistently. It can take up to four months to see any results. You’ll also have to continue using Rogaine® indefinitely, or the results will taper off and eventually go away.
Who Rogaine® Works For
Rogaine® only works for those who are experiencing male or female pattern baldness, a hair loss condition that runs in families. If you do not have this type of hair loss, Rogaine® won’t work. Rogaine® also works best for those who are losing their hair on the back of the head under the crown and is not recommended for those with receding hairlines or hair loss at the front of the scalp. Finally, Rogaine® has proven most effective for those under 40 years of age and who started using Rogaine® at the first sign of hair loss. Simply put, if you are not under 40 and have just begun losing your hair in a certain area due to a specific condition, Rogaine® will not work. Because many of those with hair loss are bothered by a receding hairline or thinness at the front of the head, Rogaine® is frequently not an effective treatment option.
Alternatives to Rogaine®
If Rogaine® does provide you with the results you want, Dr. Varona encourages you to continue using it. However, if you do not match the above description or if you’ve already lost a lot of hair, he encourages you to look at alternatives. A hair transplant procedure is usually your best option for creating long-lasting, natural hair restoration. Dr. Varona offers the FUE and FUT techniques that are minimally invasive and leave little scarring. Here are the differences between the two procedures.
The FUE Technique
Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, involves manually extracting follicles from carefully selected areas in the back of the head and transplanting them to areas where hair loss is occurring. Dr. Varona artistically removes and replaces each follicle by hand to create minimal scarring while ensuring maximum results. The hair that is transplanted is your own, and therefore looks and feels just like the rest of your hair.
The FUT Technique
Follicular Unit Transplantation involves taking a strip of scalp from the back of the head and replacing it in the area of hair loss. While this is slightly more invasive than the FUE technique and can leave a more noticeable scar, it is a good option for those who want to increase the density of hair in certain areas. Scars can be hidden by hair regrowth.
Scheduling Your FUE Transplant with Dr. Varona
Both the FUE and FUT techniques of hair replacement are permanent and effective. You do not need to worry about applying a liquid every day to maintain results, and the techniques work for both men and women who are losing their hair for any reason. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Varona has seen thousands of patients dealing with hair loss and has personally experienced hair loss and transplantation. When you schedule a consultation with him, you know you’re working with a compassionate professional who will perform your procedure with the highest level of integrity and patient care. You don’t have to deal with hair loss! If Rogaine® is not an option for you or if you’d like a permanent solution, schedule your consultation with Dr. Varona today.