Whether you’re a man or a woman, it’s never a pleasant moment to look in the mirror and realize that your hair is becoming thinner. While hair transplant surgery is typically the most successful treatment (when paired with products to limit future hair loss, since it’s a progressive condition), it’s understandable that most patients are hesitant about undergoing surgery. The good news is that there are actually a number of non-surgical methods available as well, especially for patients who are still in the early stages of hair loss, and we offer the full range of options at both of our hair restoration specialty centers: The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research and The Griffin Center for Women’s Hair Loss.

Natural Growth Factors

You may have heard of natural growth factors before because it has been used successfully in a number of medical and cosmetic areas. The treatment involves taking a small vial of the patient’s own blood and extracting the natural growth factors within it. These growth factors can be used to stimulate the healing process. While it can be injected to help repair certain orthopedic injuries and to create skin-firming collagen, when it comes to hair restoration, we apply the growth factors topically and use micro needling to create pathways into the deeper layers of the skin. By enhancing the health and performance of the hair follicles, the procedure may be used as a standalone hair restoration method or as a way to supplement and improve the results of hair transplant surgery.

Red Light Therapy

We have technology to thank for one of the most successful yet least invasive treatments available. Red light therapy (sometimes called low-level light therapy, or LLLT) uses LED lights, lasers, or both to apply precise wavelengths of energy to the scalp. This energy triggers cell activity and stimulates the hair follicles into improved hair growth. At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s two specialty hair restoration centers, we offer red light therapy as an in-office treatment, but we also offer a portable product called iGrow®, which allows patients to continue their treatment at home.

Topical Medications

Especially for patients who are just beginning to notice thinning hair, topical medications can offer a simple and inexpensive way to limit the progression of hair loss. Most patients have already heard of Rogaine®, which has often proven successful in slowing down hair loss, but if you’re looking for a stronger or more specialized option, we also offer a product called AQ Hair Complex as well as customized prescription compounds which our providers will design specifically for your unique needs. Whichever product is best for you, we recommend a combination of topical medications and therapeutic treatments to all our patients, so that you’re not only repairing the hair loss that has already happened but also limiting the hair loss that happens in the future as well.

Oral Medications

Your body’s internal chemistry can have a powerful impact on hair loss, and certain oral medications have been designed to enhance the health and longevity of your hair follicles from the inside out. Offered at both The Griffin Center for Women’s Hair Loss and The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research, one of the most effective prescriptions available is finasteride, which often goes by the brand names of Proscar® or Propecia®. Many of our patients have also seen success with nutritional supplements like Help Hair® and Viviscal® Professional, which focus primarily on the vitamins and amino acids which nourish the hair follicles from within.

Hair thinning and hair loss affect a larger percentage of both men and women than most people realize. In fact, it will affect the majority of us at some point in our lives. Whether your hair loss is caused by genetics, hormones, hair trauma, or other causes, rest assured that we will be able to identify the best possible treatments for you. If you’re ready to learn about your options (surgical, non-surgical, or both), call Dermatology Associates of Atlanta to schedule a consultation. Or, for more information and tips about our services, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.