The average adult head has approximately 120,000 hairs and sheds up to 100 each day as part of the normal hair growth cycle, so finding a few stray hairs in your hairbrush is expected.
However, losing more than a few strands during washing or when scalp is more visible, may indicate that the number of hairs being lost is more than normal.
WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS?
With increasing age, hair growth and renewal slows down. In addition to these expected age related changes, other factors including:
BIOLOGY OF HAIR GROWTH CYCLES
Each hair follicle is a dynamic mini-organ that undergoes perfectly calibrated cycles of growth, regression and rest. The follicle has its own independent biological clock that determines when the follicle will grow hair, lose hair or lay dormant. When this biological clock is out of balance, under attack, or its environment is altered, the process of hair production is disrupted leading to more hair shedding than hair growth which can be seen as balding.
HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN
Hair loss can be common after pregnancy and menopause, with 50% of women experiencing hair loss at some time. Research studies have shown that 52% of women were extremely upset by their hair loss and 70% of surveyed women with hair loss had a negative body image and poorer self-esteem.
HAIR LOSS IN MEN
Androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness accounts for more than 95% of hair loss in men, By the age of 35, over 60% of men will experience some degree of noticeable hair loss, and by the age of 50 approximately 85% of men have significantly thinning hair, There has been a noticeable increase in hair loss in younger men: over 25% of men who experience hair loss have experienced hair thinning before age 21.
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF HAIR LOSS
Hair loss can be due to many causes, and assessment by a doctor - GP or Dermatologist - is needed to exclude unusual causes of hair shedding. A detailed clinical history is essential to make the correct diagnosis and determine if PRP hair restoration may be helpful.
PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP)
for hair restoration has been scientifically proven to improve the growth phase of the hair cycle, improve scalp health and increase hair count, health and thickness. The platelets within PRP release growth factors within the scalp and hair follicles to stabilise hair loss, improve blood supply and nutrients to the area; rejuvenate dormant hair follicles; leading to an overall increase in hair numbers and reduced shedding.
WHAT HAVE THE CLINICAL STUDIES SHOWN?
There have been over 800 research studies to assess if PRP is effective for male and female pattern hair lass (androgenetic alopecia) and some autoirnmune hair loss disorders. The studies have demonstrated that hair density, hair thickness, hair-put test, level of scalp inflammation and oil secretion were significantly improved for both males and females at -9 months after PRP treatment.
NOT ALL PRP IS EQUAL
Alocuro's TGA listed PRO-PRP device and preparation protocol has demonstrated outstanding performance in extracting PRP from patient's blood with platelet concentration of up to 10 times baseline. By choosing an Alocuro PRP provider, you are giving your hair the best chance for recovery. as the injected PRP is very concentrated and pure.
3 treatments, 4 weeks apart is recommended.
Currently alternative treatment options include topical and oral medications and low-level laser therapy. While these therapies can also be helpful for hair loss, they are not perfect and long term use is required to be effective against hair loss. They also have potential side effects which limit their application.
The injected PRP delivers platelet-released growth factors to the scalp and hair follicles to:
- stabilise hair loss
- rejuvenate miniaturised hair follicles
- extend the active growing phase of the hair follicle (Anagen) so the hair follicle spends more time in growth phase – which produces a stronger and thicker hair.
Every patient has a unique clinical presentation and a qualified medical or skin practitioner should assess individual hair health needs.
New hair growth and better hair health can be seen as early as 2 months, but noticeable results are typically evident between 6-9 months and will continue to improve up to a year. Annual top-up injections are required to sustain the hair restoration benefits. Younger patients and patients with more recent hair loss will gain better results.
