Category: From the Blog

Hair loss is a common issue, affecting approximately 80 million adults in the United States alone, both men and women, who suffer from androgenetic alopecia—more commonly known as male and female pattern baldness. For many, hair loss is more than just a cosmetic concern. Women often experience depression as a result of hair loss, while men may face an “enormous emotional burden.”

However, thanks to advancements in medical technology, it is now possible to potentially reverse hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth without the need for invasive hair transplant procedures. Let’s explore some of the most innovative treatments available today:

1) Steroid Injections for Alopecia Areata

For those dealing with alopecia areata, a condition characterized by small patches of baldness, steroid injections can be an effective treatment. These injections target the immune system’s attack on hair follicles, helping to reduce inflammation and promote hair regrowth in the affected areas.

2) Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

PRP injections are an innovative procedure that leverages the body’s own healing capabilities. By using your own blood platelets—specialized cells that aid in healing throughout the body—PRP injections can potentially reverse hair loss. The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes and involves no downtime, making it a convenient option for many patients.

Treatment typically involves returning once a month for three months for follow-up injections. Afterward, maintenance sessions are scheduled every three to six months to sustain the results.

3) Fotona’s HaiRestart® Hair Growth Stimulation

Fotona’s HaiRestart® is a cutting-edge solution for treating hair loss disorders. This treatment is specifically designed to stimulate dormant hair follicles, encouraging them to grow new hair. By utilizing the Fotona SMOOTH® modality, Hair Restart® delivers treatments with highly controlled energy, ensuring maximum comfort for patients.

Key Advantages of HaiRestart®:

• Prevention of further hair loss
• Increased hair density and thickness
• Promotion of new follicle growth
• No medications required
• No downtime

How Does Fotona SMOOTH® Work?

The effectiveness of Fotona SMOOTH® lies in its patented pulses that gently deliver laser light to the tissue. This process triggers the scalp in a safe and controlled manner. Fotona SMOOTH® operates at the optimal infrared Er

laser wavelength (2.94 μm), which coincides with the skin’s maximal absorption capabilities.

One of the unique aspects of Fotona SMOOTH® is its ability to act in a non-ablative manner, meaning it does not damage the surface of the skin. Instead, it produces precisely engineered mild thermal pulses that gently and efficiently heat the scalp. This controlled pulsing effect stimulates the production of growth factors, promoting hair growth without significant disruption to the epidermis.

Proven Results and High Patient Satisfaction

Several clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy of HaiRestart® in improving hair growth, density, and stabilization of hair loss. These positive outcomes have been observed regardless of the patient’s age, AGA grade, or duration of hair loss.

In one blind evaluation study (Day D. et al., 2021), 93% of patients reported improvement in hair quality, a result that was consistent across different ages and AGA grades. Other studies (Dekeyser B., 2019 and Mercik G. et al., 2021) have echoed these findings, with patients noting improvements such as a more elastic and less dry scalp, thicker hair, and overall healthier, denser hair.

What is a Migraine Headache?

A migraine is an intensely painful, throbbing headache, usually affecting one side of the head. The pain can be so severe that it may hinder your ability to work or perform simple tasks. Migraines typically cause pain over the forehead, temple, or even the back of the head and neck. They are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise, and sometimes even weakness or numbness in the extremities. “Classic” migraines start with an aura—such as seeing dots, wavy lines, or experiencing blurriness—before the pain begins. About 20% of people with migraines experience these classic symptoms.

Triggers for Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are often triggered by specific factors such as environmental changes, food, stress, or hormonal shifts. Common triggers include bright lights (like sunlight or flickering light), stress, sleep deprivation, dehydration, and missed meals. Certain foods, including MSG, chocolate, soy sauce, processed meats, aged cheese, red wine, and some nuts, can also trigger migraines. While caffeine can sometimes help relieve migraines during an acute episode, a sudden drop in caffeine levels may lead to rebound headaches. Migraines are more common in women than men, with a 3:1 ratio, and many women’s migraines are linked to their menstrual cycle.

Treatment Options for Migraine Headaches

There are various over-the-counter (OTC) medicines available for headache pain, but overuse can lead to toxicity and gastric ulcers. Long-term and repeated use may also cause rebound migraines.

Triptans, such as Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, and Axert, are among the most commonly prescribed medications for migraines. However, individuals with a history of heart disease, stroke, or high blood pressure may not be eligible for these medications. Newer options, like Ubrelvy and Nurtec, are now available and often have fewer side effects than triptans. In some cases, a combination of prescription medications is used for severe episodes. Prophylactic medications, such as Qulipta, Topiramate, blood pressure medications, or SSRIs, may be added to the regimen to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. Unfortunately, some patients do not respond to these treatments and develop chronic migraines, defined as having headaches on 15 or more days per month, with each episode lasting four hours or longer. This severely impacts quality of life, often leading to missed work, school, and daily activities.

Botox® as a Treatment Option

In 2010, the FDA approved Botox® as a treatment for chronic migraines. Botox® injections, administered every 12 weeks, can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines for up to three months, depending on the patient. In some cases, it can completely prevent migraines during this period. The treatment is quick, lasting about 15 minutes, and is an effective option for those who do not tolerate traditional migraine medications.

Many insurance providers now cover the cost of Botox® injections for chronic migraines. If other preventative treatments have not eased your chronic migraine symptoms, it may be time to call us for an assessment.