hair loss

• All hair follicles cycle through three phases: growing phase (anagen), dying phase (catagen) and shedding phase (telogen).  It is typical for as many as 100-150 scalp hairs to shed per day, as up to 10% of scalp hairs are in the telogen phase at any given time.  When an abnormally large number of hairs enter into the telogen phase simultaneously, this type of hair loss is called Telogen Effluvium.  A myriad of stressors are capable of shifting this hair follicle biological clock – these include metabolic alterations such as pregnancy and childbirth, nutritional deficiencies or crash dieting, emotionally traumatic events such as a death or breakup, or physical stress caused by surgery, car accidents, severe illness or injury. 

  The shedding occurs approximately 3 months after a definable precipitating event, and the time course for how long shedding persists can individually vary and last as long as 6 months. Telogen effluvium may also be due to certain medications, or rarely, have no discernible cause and persist for many years.  

  Diagnosis of telogen effluvium involves a thorough history of previous events, medications and supplements, as well as a clinical examination demonstrating thinning scalp hair, an in-office hair pull test, and follicle evaluation.  Complete resolution of shedding with eventual hair regrowth is expected, and recovery can occur anywhere from several months to years after the process begins. Many treatments are available to expedite this recovery process and stimulate increased hair growth at a faster rate than what would occur without any intervention.

• Alopecia areata is a non-scarring patterned alopecia which presents as circular areas of hair loss.  There may be only one to few circular or oval patches affected or the entire scalp or body. Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in developing this condition, which is thought to be an autoimmune disease involving inflammatory T cells surrounding the hair follicles.  The peripheral rim of a patch of alopecia areata contains the most actively inflamed hair follicles, and is thus the target zone for treatment with injections.

• By the end of the treatment course, one can expect significant improvement of hair regrowth and fullness.

• Before beginning KeraLase™ treatments, patients are often frustrated with progressive hair loss and overall visible thinning of scalp hair.  After completion of KeraLase treatments, hair will grow faster and appear thicker and fuller.  Without any additional hairloss treatments, results can be maintained for up to 9 months, with some patients maintaining thickness and fullness for even longer. 

• Patients should wash their hair the night prior to treatment with shampoo only, avoiding conditioner. The day of the procedure, hair should be completely clean, dry and free of all styling products. 

• Immediately following the treatment, hair may be wet or damp for up to 20 minutes as the serum dries.  It is important to allow the product to fully absorb into the scalp, and avoid wearing hats or scarves which may rub the serum off.  However, hair can be tied back during this time if desired.  There is no recovery process after the procedure.  Aftercare involves only avoidance of direct sunlight to the scalp, and not washing the hair for 24 hours after treatment.  There is absolutely no post treatment discomfort or downtime. 

• There are few minimal risks and side effects from the treatment.  The treated area is typically temporarily pink or red, but resolves within 24 hours. Some roughness or light flaking may occur in the days following treatment. Since the procedure does involve use of a fractional laser, sun avoidance after treatment is important to prevent any scalp sun burning or discoloration. 

• Hair regrowth can alternatively be achieved with a diligent daily regimen of prescription topical and/or oral medications to encourage growth.  However, these medications all have potential side effects and require consistent compliance of regular, uninterrupted use in order to maintain their effects.  Hair loss and hair thinning may also represent an underlying condition, so it is important to consult with a dermatologist to first evaluate for any medical cause requiring treatment. 

Absolutely. Making hair grow often requires a fight against genetics, which isn’t easy. KeraLase™ Treatment for hair loss can be effectively combined with customized prescription serums, nutritional supplements and scalp stimulating peptide shampoos to achieve maximum results.

• No. The laser treatment feels like a warm, tingling sensation on the scalp, followed by a gentle, relaxing massage as the KeraFactor® serum is applied.

• A total of 6 treatments, spaced 2-4 weeks apart. Results will typically be seen anytime after the third treatment. Maintenance in office treatments every 3-6 months is encouraged.