Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used for many years in other medical specialties, including orthopedics, it has only recently become one of the latest techniques with hair restoration. PRP is used for all Hair Restoration/Hair Loss patients, including patients who have Robotic Hair Transplants. PRP is an exciting non-surgical therapeutic treatment for patients who require stimulation of hair growth for hair loss conditions. The use of PRP for the treatment of alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia (hereditary male or female hair loss) is available from Dr. Mark Bishara’s office.
While PRP is in the early stages of scientific research in hair restoration, PRP is not meant to replace current FDA approved therapies such as DHT blockers and Minoxidil. but it is a promising non-surgical therapeutic option for those patients with hair loss.
What is PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma?
PRP Platelet Rich Plasma is the use of a person’s own blood platelets to enhance hair growth as a stand-alone treatment or to improve the recovery and results of hair transplant surgery. In the field of cell therapy and tissue regeneration, research is continuing to progress regarding the use of PRP’s ability to stimulate stem cells, improve wound healing, and rejuvenate skin and hair follicles. PRP is done in 3 month intervals
Growth Factors
The human growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)- levels are significantly elevated after PRP injection, supporting a possible ergogenic effect of PRP.
What is LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy)
The LaserCap® using Low Level Laser Technology (LLLT) can help men and women of all ages who suffer from hair loss by emitting pulses of laser light energy to the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles and improve blood circulation in the area, encouraging hair growth once again. Men and women being treated for hair loss sit comfortably under the lasers as it gently delivers the phototherapy to the scalp. Most of our patients read a magazine during treatments. There is no pain or discomfort from the therapy–some patients do report some “scalp-tingling.” The laser cap is much more successful and effective in hair restoration then hand held devices that are available on the market. The usual treatments occur 2-3 times per week. The laser cap is available to have treatments done in our office, or can be purchased and take home with you.
For more information on PRP, LLLT and other hair restoration treatments, please call our office at (817) 473-2120. Please come in and get evaluated with an endocrine testing panel, that tests your thyroid, testosterone, iron, and serotonin levels, to name a few. We also refer out for scalp biopsies for female patients, to determine the causes of hair loss.
You can also visit us as www.MarkBisharaMD.com and our Facebook page at The Paragon Plastic Surgery and Medspa
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Low dose laser therapy for hair loss
What is low dose laser therapy?
Low level laser therapy is a safe form of light treatment (a type of ) under investigation for a variety of health indications. It is being used to treat the genetic forms of hair loss common in men and women, androgenetic alopecia or pattern balding.
Low level laser therapy is also called red light therapy, cold laser, soft laser, biostimulation and photobiomodulation.
Low level laser therapy for pattern balding
Laser therapy used for hair loss treatment depends on devices that emit a light that can penetrate the scalp. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) uses devices with diodes that emit red light (wavelength 630-670 nanometers
Who are the best candidates for low level laser therapy for hair loss?
Low level laser therapy is intended for men and women with thinning hair or pattern baldness caused by a hereditary condition.
How is laser hair therapy supposed to work?
The hair growth cycle consists of three phases: growth (anagen phase), resting (telogen phase) and shedding (catagen phase). Hair loss in androgenetic alopecia depends on a testosterone derivative in the skin, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Low level laser therapy is believed to increase blood flow in the scalp and stimulate metabolism in catagen or telogen follicles, resulting in the production of anagen hair. In theory:
- The photons of light act on cytochrome C oxidase leading to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is converted to cyclic AMP in the hair follicle cells, releasing energy and stimulating metabolic processes necessary for hair growth.
- Release of nitric oxide from cells leads to increased vascularisation to the scalp distributing nutrients and oxygen to the hair roots.
- Excessive build-up of DHT is prevented.
What is the clinical evidence to show laser hair therapy is effective?
Physicians have varying views on whether or not low level laser therapy is effective. While some physicians reject its use entirely, others believe that low level laser therapy can provide benefit for some men and women suffering from androgenic alopecia (genetic baldness). It has also been suggested that it may assist a hair transplant patient’s postoperative wound healing process and expedite hair growth.
Benefits of laser therapy for hair loss
- Low level laser thereapy can be used in both men and women
- No adverse effects have been reported
- It is clean and painless
- Low level laser hair therapy is relatively inexpensive
- It requires minimal time commitment
- Some low level laser therapy devices are portable
- Hair growth may occur on the top of the head/crown and along the hairline of forehead
Improvement is reported in at least some users after 12 to 26 weeks of use, with reduced hair fall and noticeable hair growth.
How is low level laser hair therapy administered ?
Two to three times weekly treatments are typically recommended, and consist of a 8 to 15-minute exposure of the scalp to light-emitting diodes under a head cap.
Scalp treatment and massages that promote blood circulation may be used additionally as part of the program.
Proprietors of low level laser therapy services speak about the importance of regularity, which includes frequent appointments (twice a week, more or less) over a long duration (typically one year).
Please call the office of Dr. Bishara at The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa for more information on LLLT at (817) 473-2120 or visit our website and www.MarkBisharaMD.com
FASTER HAIR GROWTH
Light in its various forms has been used for healing from the time of the ancient Egyptian and Greek civilizations. The negative effects of the absence of light on the human body are well documented (e.g., seasonal affective disorder, also called SAD; lack of vitamin D production; rickets, etc.). Therapy using LASER, an acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation,” is based on the beneficial use of light for healing.
Recent advances in laser therapy devices and more research into the appropriate dosages have dramatically improved the results of this therapy.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the use of red and near-infrared monochromatic light to enhance the body’s natural healing processes. The light source is placed in contact with the skin, allowing the light energy (photons) to penetrate tissue where it interacts to increase circulation and help restore normal cellular function. LLLT does not break the skin as do surgical lasers.
Pattern balding
Androgenetic alopecia can affect up to 70% of men (male pattern balding) and 40% of women (female pattern balding) at some point in their lifetime. While men typically present with a distinctive alopecia pattern involving hairline recession and vertex balding, women normally exhibit a diffuse hair thinning over the top of their scalps. For both men and women, losing their hair is a frustrating experience.
The current treatment standard for pattern balding is therapy with minoxidil and finasteride, with hair transplantation as a surgical option. However, low level laser treatment for hair loss is now also promoted as a safe alternative or additional treatment.
Benefits of laser therapy for hair loss
- Low level laser thereapy can be used in both men and women
- No adverse effects have been reported
- It is painless
- Low level laser hair therapy is relatively inexpensive
- It requires minimal time commitment
- Hair growth may occur on the top of the head/crown and along the hairline of forehead
Improvement is reported in at least some users after 12 to 26 weeks of use, with reduced hair fall and noticeable hair growth.
Learn More at: MarkBisharaMD.com or call us at (817) 473-2120
Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Mark A. Bishara, M.D., serving Fort Worth, Arlington, and the surrounding area.
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