Hair loss can be frustrating and upsetting and is much more common than many think. In fact, according to the American Hair Loss Association, by 35, 66% of men experience some degree of hair loss, and by the age of 50, about 85% of men have significantly thinner hair. Men are not the only ones that deal with hair loss, as we are seeing more and more women inquiring about hair loss treatment.

Hair loss has many causes. Depending on the cause, at Wellmedica, we will be able to determine whether your hair can regrow on its own, requires treatment to grow, or needs immediate care to prevent permanent hair loss.

There are various reasons that can result in hair loss. Some common factors include:

• Hereditary hair loss is the most common natural condition that occurs in both men and women as they age.

Can treatment help with hereditary hair loss? Yes, the sooner the better!

• Hormonal imbalance commonly due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS), pregnancy, menopause, or birth control pills.

Can treatment help with hair loss caused by hormonal imbalance? Yes, treatment may help.

• Stressors like illness, sudden weight loss, surgery, childbirth, or the loss of loved ones can trigger hair loss.

Can treatment help with hair loss caused by stressors? Your body can naturally readjust once your stress level stops. Most people notice hair growth regaining within 9- 12 months.

• Beauty hair care like regular usage of chemicals (perm and hair color), hairstyles that pull hair tightly, or thermal hair styling (flat ironing) can result in hair loss.

Can treatment help with damage caused by beauty treatments? By changing how you care for your hair, you may be able to prevent hair loss. Frequent hair follicle damage may result in permanent bald spots.

• Medical conditions such as scalp infection, psoriasis, autoimmune disease, pulling hair disorder, thyroid disease, or alopecia contribute to hair loss.

Can treatment help for hair loss caused by medical conditions? Yes, as long as you treat the underlying causes earlier to prevent further hair loss and possible permanent damage.

• Medications such as cancer drugs or side effects from other medications.

Can treatment help for hair loss caused by medications? Hair usually starts to regrow within months of finishing your treatments. There are available treatments that can help your hair grow back quickly.

• Vitamin deficiencies like iron, biotin, and zinc.

Can treatment help with hair loss caused by vitamin deficiency?  When your body gets enough of the missing nutrients, hair will regrow.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an advanced form of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that is used to treat hair loss. It has been used for decades in dentistry and orthopedics. Human blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. We use a specialized centrifuge that spins blood horizontally to maximize the production of PRF.

PRF contains platelets, white blood cells, fibrin, and stem cells. Platelets in our blood contain proteins, or growth factors, that increase collagen production, regenerate tissue, tighten skin, rejuvenate the texture of skin, and improve hair regrowth. White blood cells aid in tissue regeneration and fibrin acts as a scaffolding on which the growth factors attach to allow a longer release of their growth factors. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can turn into progenitor or specialized cells. They act as a repair system for the body to replenish adult tissues.

PRF is the next generation or an advanced form of PRP. It is 100% natural and has no additives. PRF also contains a greater concentration of growth factors and stem cells, while PRP does not have stem cells or fibrin. This higher concentration of growth factors and stem cells will promote more hair regrowth than PRP alone. The fibrin in PRF acts as a scaffolding to keep the growth factors and stem cells in the area they are injected into. This allows for the release of more growth factors over a longer period of time.

Many of the patients that we see are great candidates for PRF for hair loss. However, many different medical factors can contribute to hair loss. For example, patients who have cancer or are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation cannot have PRF treatments. Likewise, people who smoke may not get as good a response to PRF treatments. We recommend scheduling a consultation at WellMedica in order to get a customized treatment plan based on your individual needs.

Depending on the size of the area being treated, 2-4 vials of blood are drawn from your arm. The samples are then centrifuged in special tubes in a unique way to activate the fibrin and concentrate more growth factors, white blood cells, and stem cells, all while separating them from the other blood components which are not needed. The PRF is then carefully withdrawn from the vials and injected into the area needing treatment.

Results can vary from person to person. For hair loss treatments, we typically recommend 6 consecutive, monthly treatments. This can be followed by quarterly treatments to maintain the patient's desired results. After a year, the frequency of treatments can be customized to meet the individual needs of the patient.