Guest Article by Dr. Elizabeth Rostan at CHARLOTTE SKIN & LASER
Hair loss and hair thinning are common concerns for both men and women. Over the years of taking care of patients’ cosmetic concerns and helping my patients age gracefully and naturally, I came to realize that there was one major issue often ignored and overlooked ~ thinning hair. I no longer overlook this issue. That is why I have started a program focusing on addressing hair thinning and loss at Charlotte Skin & Laser.
As your hair loss provider our goals include:
- Defining the cause of your hair loss and offering options for treatment to increase the fullness and thickness of your hair as well as to prevent further thinning and loss.
- Developing trust and demonstrating that we care. We aim to establish trust in all our relationships through honesty, transparency, compassion and empathy.
- Delivering expert level care as we continue to educate ourselves on the latest treatments for hair growth and hair loss prevention.
- Creating a customized plan for you that addresses the cause of your hair loss and matches your budget and motivation.
- We combine our clinical expertise with state-of-the-art technology to offer you customized care and combinations of treatments for best outcomes.
Hair is Beauty
Hair plays an essential part of self-esteem, gender identity and age definition. Hair frames our faces, and is a sign of youth, vitality and health. Thinning hair and hair loss conditions can adversely affect mood and self-esteem. Hair loss from medical conditions, medical treatments, aging and genetics is more than just a cosmetic concern and deserves attention to determine the cause and outline a path to thicker, healthier, more robust hair. A good hair day is truly awesome and so it has become a goal of the hair loss team at Charlotte Skin & Laser.
Treating hair thinning and hair loss begins with a thorough history and evaluation. Hair loss and thinning – or alopecia – can come from conditions that affect the skin and hair follicle itself, can occur secondary to medications or medical treatment or during recovery from an illness or injury, and can be related to aging and familial traits. We will first ask many questions to understand a patient’s hair loss and then do a detailed exam of the hair and scalp.
An effective treatment
The most common types of hair thinning are 1) age and hormone related and 2) shedding induced by another condition. For these types of hair thinning there are many effective treatments. Our team at Charlotte Skin & Laser focuses on putting together the most effective treatment plan tailored to each individual and involving the following categories:
• Nutrition
• Supplements
• Medical treatments
• Home treatments
• In-office, non-surgical treatments
• Hair transplantation when appropriate
Nutrition can be simply addressed by focusing on daily intake of vitamins essential for hair growth and appropriate protein intake. Supplements recommended include Nutrofol and Viviscal Pro. Medical treatments are prescribed to prevent ongoing genetic hair loss and to help hair recover from shedding. Home treatments include light or LED treatments and topical treatments as well as shampoos to strengthen hair.
Non-surgical treatments
In office treatments are non-surgical means to stimulate increase in hair density, hair thickness and hair growth.
PRP ~ Platelet rich plasma or PRP injections utilize the growth and healing capabilities of platelets to stimulate and support hair growth and recovery. Blood is drawn and spun to separate the platelet rich component. This platelet rich component is then injected into the areas of hair loss. A series of 3-4 treatments monthly is done followed by one maintenance injection session every 6-9 months.
One Year Treatment of PRP + Rogaine Images
Laser ~ Laser treatments have been demonstrated to be helpful to stimulate hair growth. KeraLase is a treatment protocol that combines a laser treatment to the scalp with a powerful growth factor and peptide serum application in a treatment session, as well as a hair growth serum for home use. The laser itself stimulates hair growth but also increases skin absorption by a factor of 5 so that the serum is more readily absorbed into the skin and down to the hair bulb from which hair grows.
A Success Story
“Got my female swag back” When Devan came into Charlotte Skin & Laser, she was conscious of her hair loss but didn’t see the early signs of her condition. Dr. Rostan identified that Devan had CCCA (Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia), a form of scarring alopecia common in African American women.
Listen to Dr. Rostan’s African American Hair Disorder Podcast Here
She prescribed medications to assist hair growth, and Devan also underwent several PRP treatments to help revive and maintain control of the alopecia.
Initially, Dr. Rostan recommended a hair transplant as a next step, but she responded so well to the medical treatments that she continued to manage her treatments throughout her journey. After several months, Devan feels more confident and educated about her condition.
All these interventions work best with early hair loss. There is help for thinning hair and you can achieve thicker, lusher, healthier hair with safe, effective non-surgical interventions. Don’t wait to achieve your best hair ever!
Charlotte Skin & Laser
130 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28207
704-333-9113 | 704.333.9757
