New treatment offers hope to those suffering hair loss
BEING a mother is one of the most rewarding experiences in life.
Your body goes through whirlwind changes, some of which can be less pleasing than others. Hair loss after pregnancy, is one of these and it is quite common.
The loss usually continues for 10-12 weeks and after this, new hair should start to appear even if you’d done nothing. A healthy diet with plenty of protein will help the hair regrowth process.
But once you reach your 40s or 50s, you may again experience some thinning of the hair. This, of course, is for entirely different reasons.
And while thinning hair or hair loss in 40s or 50s is common, it also drains the self-confidence and most mothers dislike publicly discussing how emotionally traumatising it is to lose this symbol of beauty.
In fact, about half of all women face thinning hair by the time they reach 50.
It happens when your body becomes overly sensitive to male hormones called androgens, which can block hair growth. As a result, follicles gradually get smaller, producing shorter, finer hair until they stop growing hair at all.
The “gold standard” medical treatment for hair loss is a drug applied to the scalp called minoxidil. Minoxidil works by prolonging the growth phase of hair. Initial results occur at 4 months with maximum results occurring at 8 months.
Now another, newer hair growth treatment is being administered in dermatologist clinics. It consists of Platelet–Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. Platelet–Rich Plasma is a concentration of platelets, which are rich in growth factors.
Growth factors are the naturally occurring substances that are capable of stimulating the activity of the hair follicles. They play the role of messengers, signalling hair cells to function and result in significant improvement in new hair growth and density.
The use of PRP has a number of scientifically based articles showing its efficacy. In fact, it has been used in medicine to treat a range of health issues, including arthritis and signs of ageing. For treating hair loss, PRP is collected from a patient’s blood and injected into scalp areas of thinning hair.
The procedure requires minimal to no downtime. It works for any women experiencing hair loss, but those with early hair loss tend to respond best. For best results, consistency is crucial. Treatments are typically given once a month for the first 3-4 months. Anticipated results can first be seen within about 2-3 months.
With the Mother’s Day right around the corner, I hope this treatment option is good news for those mums struggling to find hair–loss solutions. It’s never too late to start anti–ageing prevention. Happy Mother’s Day!
THANISORN THAMLIKITKUL MD is a member of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery and certified in dermatological laser surgery. Send your questions for her to [email protected].
