People tend to turn to alternatives to hair transplant – top 10 methods to prevent hair loss before opting for hair transplant surgery. Actually, over 80% of individuals who are experiencing severe hair shedding and thinning are searching for them.
Non-surgical hair replacement sounds good for those who don’t want to go under the knife, but is it feasible? Most people aren’t aware that hair transplant is the best cure to treating hair loss for those who meet these conditions.
- autoimmune scalp conditions
- male pattern hair loss & female-pattern baldness
- those under 25
- those with limited donor area and very little hair.
- other factors
Although medications, injections and laser treatments are efficacious for hair thinning due to stress and environmental causes, hair transplants are still the most effective treatment for hair loss due to hormonal and genetic factors like androgenetic alopecia.
Top 10 Alternatives to Hair transplant
Are alternative options for hair transplantation not limited but effective? To promote healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss, here are the top 10 non-surgical alternatives that can help you achieve thicker and fuller hair.
1. Scalp Micropigmentation
Hair pigmentation (SMP), hair tattooing or micropigmentation, is the process of applying a coloring agent to the scalp using a special device, tip and micro needles. Pigmentation mimics the appearance of hair follicles on the scalp, so it provides a solution for those seeking to enhance their hairline or camouflage areas of baldness. One downside is the potential for an unnatural-looking, bad hairline.
Is scalp micropigmentation permanent?
Pigments fade over the years. It is possible to say semi-permanent.
Does it hurt?
This tattoo-like procedure may cause you to feel some level of pain. However, the whole scalp can be blocked with local anesthesia and you will not feel during the process.
2. Platelet-Rich Plasma Hair Treatment
PRP – Platelet-rich plasma is the portion of a person’s own blood that contains a high concentration of platelets and white blood cells (leukocytes). To obtain PRP, a blood sample is drawn and then the platelet-rich plasma is separated from the other components. Surgeons use PRP together with hair transplant treatment to promote healing by increasing blood flow to injured tissues. Treatment requires multiple injections as well as multiple sessions (3 to 8).
What are the risks of PRP injections?
- infection
- tissue damage to the surrounding tissues.
- pain
- minor bleeding in the injection site
- bruising around the balding area
- swelling in the treated area
Can anyone get a platelet-rich plasma injection?
A group of people who are not suitable for PRP:
- People with blood clotting disorders: thrombocytopenia or hemophilia
- Those taking blood thinners or anticoagulant medications
- Those with cancer or a history of cancer (people can start to PRP 12 months after of chemotherapy regimen)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
3. Finasteride for Hair Loss
Finasteride is an oral medication that treats hair shedding by decreasing the level of DHT hormone. It prevents hair loss, provides protection and enables thin hair strands to reach their former thickness. Effective choice for male pattern baldness but ladies can’t use it because it can cause complications with pregnancy and birth.
Is finasteride effective for completely bald men?
It is a suitable hair loss treatment for men with mild to moderate hair loss, rather than complete hair loss (alopecia totalis).
Can finasteride regrow hair?
Yes, it can help with hair regrowth. DHT is associated with androgenetic alopecia. Reduced DHT levels can slow down hair loss, and stimulate hair follicles mostly in the crown and middle part.
4. Minoxidil for Hair Loss
Minoxidil serves as a viable alternative to hair transplant surgery, available as a topical spray or foam. This topical treatment shortens the telogen phase of the hair and prolongs the anagen phase. Thus, it creates a healthier hair growth cycle.
How long should to use Minoxidil?
Use 2 times a day, at least 4-5 months. The maximum effect is given at the end of a year. If you don’t see any change, do not stop at once, consult your clinician first.
When I started using Minoxidil, my hair began to fall out more. Why?
You may experience an initial increase in hair loss right after Minoxidil due to an accelerated hair growth phase, but it is temporary.
5. Hair Growth Medications
Alongside Minoxidil and Finasteride, other treatments exist, e.g. Dutasteride, Spironolactone and DHT blocking shampoos and conditioners. These medications allow non-surgical options for combating hair loss. While the others are generally effective for the treatment of hair loss in men, Spironolactone is salutary for female pattern hair loss (FPHL).
Hair growth medications VS. Hair transplant surgery
The pros of hair growth medications include non-invasiveness, cost-effectiveness, and applicability to different hair loss patterns. However, they pale in comparison to the advantages of hair transplant surgery.
Results such as a natural-looking hairline, a permanent solution for hair loss, enhanced appearance, and increased confidence prevail in hair transplant procedures. The utilization of advanced techniques allow individuals to achieve a youthful-looking head of hair.
Concerns regarding pain during the surgery are often overstated. Compared to alternatives, the extraction of hair follicles during transplant surgery does not result in exacerbated pain.
How do these hair growth medications work?
Each works in different ways:
- Minoxidil increases blood flow to hair follicles
- Finasteride and Dutasteride inhibit DHT (a hormone linked to hair loss)
- Spironolactone blocks androgens
- DHT-blocking shampoos and conditioners reduce DHT on the scalp.
6. Laser Therapy for Hair Loss
Low-level light therapy (LLLT) or laser therapy harnesses laser light to stimulate cellular proliferation within the hair follicles in order to prompt them to emerge on the scalp surface. It represents an ideal remedy for hereditary-patterned baldness, secondary hair transplant recipients, and individuals with a history of cancer.
How long should I continue treatment?
This effective hair loss treatment may involve multiple sessions, and it stimulate hair follicles whilst decreases the problem of thinning hair – 6-month programme gives best results
Are there any side effects?
Research indicates that LLLT has no side effects in the treatment of male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss [3]. However, it is known that laser therapy is still in need of development and it is insufficient at stimulating hair follicles.
7. Steroids for Hair Loss
Corticosteroids or steroids are effective for treating various forms of alopecia, e.g., alopecia areata. Steroid treatment reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system; therefore, it prevents your body from attacking hair follicles and inhibits hair loss. They can be in the form of topical creams, oral tablets, or injections.
Is using steroids alone sufficient for hair loss therapy?
Yes, there are some studies demonstrating topical minoxidil with steroids are successful in hair shedding treatment – 6 out of 7 minoxidil-treated patients who had responded to steroids augmented their hair growth [4].
Are steroid treatments suitable for everyone with hair loss?
People if they experience severe forms of alopecia or are prone to steroid side effects may not be suitable candidates.
8. Stem Cell Therapy for Hair Loss
Stem cell therapy, similar to its use in cochlear hair cell regrowth, shows promising potential for treating hair thinning. By using stem cell-derived progenitors, this innovative treatment can stimulate hair follicle regeneration. It works on androgenetic alopecia and hair thinning.
Is stem cell therapy enough for hair loss?
It may not be enough by itself, but its success in thickening the hair is over 90%. We can also talk about a 75% success in improving hair quality.
Which country is the best for stem cell therapy?
Turkey is the #1 country globally in stem cell therapy.
9. Forehead Reduction
If you have a wide forehead, reducing the forehead may be beneficial. Advancing the hairline can align a high hairline by moving the hair-bearing skin forward, although it may not be a permanent solution for hair loss, it can significantly transform bald areas.
Forehead reduction vs. Hair transplant
Hair transplantation directly targets hair loss, restores hair density and improves the natural appearance. On the other hand, forehead reduction primarily solves wide forehead problems and may not effectively treat hair loss.
When is the ideal age for forehead reduction?
The best age range for forehead reduction is 18 to 65.
10. Vitamin Supplements
For healthy hair growth, it is vital to nourish hair follicles with supplements. Those vitamins, which are also used in PRP treatment, are very valuable in the nutrition of hair follicles:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7 (Biotin), B9 (Folic Acid) and B12
- Iron
- Zinc
How long does it take to see the benefits of nutritional supplements?
In order to see the benefits of them, it is recommended to use them regularly for 2-3 months. These alternatives reduce hair loss in a long-term manner.
Can nutritional supplements completely reverse hair loss?
No, it is unlikely that they can completely stop and regrow hair. However, by combining it with hair replacement therapy, it is possible to get better and natural outputs.
What is the best alternative to hair transplant?
There is no best alternative to hair transplantation because it directly targets. None of the other treatments are as effective as taking healthy hair follicles from the donor area and transplanting them to the bald area. However, the success rate of hair transplants combined with Finasteride and Minoxidil treatments reaches 98%.
How effective are alternatives compared to hair transplant?
The impact of alternatives depends on personal needs. Finasteride cannot be an effective solution for a woman who wants to have a hair transplant. However, for a man with male pattern hair loss, a medication combined with a hair transplant can give amazing results.
With a similar logic, unnecessary for someone with a narrow forehead structure and no receding hairline problem to undergo a forehead reduction surgery. On the other hand, hair transplantation can offer a variety of shaved or unshaved treatment options for anyone suffering from thinning hair.
Is it possible to regrow hair without a hair transplant?
It depends on the degree of hair loss and the chances of your body responding to nonsurgical hair loss treatments. In general, alternative treatments are more useful in stopping hair loss than in regrowth.
Are there cheaper alternatives to hair transplant?
Hair transplantation is considered an expensive treatment option, but medication and injections can be more costly. They require many sessions and lead to loss of both money and time. Moreover, their success rates are 50% lower.
What is the price of hair transplant alternatives?
Here’s a short list of approximate costs for hair transplant alternatives:
Medications:
- Minoxidil (Rogaine): $10 – $40 per month
- Finasteride (Propecia): $30 – $90 per month
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT):
- Home-use devices: $200 – $900+
- In-clinic treatments: $50 – $150 per session
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: $500 – $1500 per session
Scalp micropigmentation (SMP): $500 – $5000+
Hair loss concealers:
- Hair fibers, sprays, etc.: $10 – $50+
Maximize Results with Multiple Hair Loss Treatments
Often a single method is not enough to treat hair loss. If you are already at stage 1 or 2 on the Norwood-Hamilton Scale, you can have dense hair with only 500 to 1000 grafts. However, if your genetic structure is predisposed to baldness, if you are at Norwood stage 3 and above, you may need to combine hair transplantation with alternative treatments and even support your treatments with a healthy diet and sports.
How do I choose the right methods?
To choose the right method, you need to know these things:
- How many hair grafts do you need?
- Which treatments do your health condition allow you to have?
- Which treatment options are suitable for your budget?
You can make an appointment with our experienced hair transplant surgeons to learn the most suitable method/s for you.
FAQs about Alternatives to Hair Transplant
Is it possible to regrow hair without a transplant?
They can be effective in stopping hair loss and thickening your hair, but regrowth can be unrealistic.
Can hair transplant be done without surgery?
Unfortunately it can’t be done. However, with modern techniques, regional transplantation can be performed without shaving your head.
Is hair transplant the only option?
Yes for “hair transplantation”, but you have many options to stop hair loss, thicken hair and improve hair quality. However, hair transplantation is essential to regrow hair from the bald area.
Will PRP thicken my hair?
Yes, PRP can stimulate hair growth and thickness within one to 6 months.
Can a bald person get a hair transplant?
Yes, as long as there are enough donor sites.
What is the best medicine for hair loss?
The best medicine for hair loss can vary depending on
- the underlying cause of hair loss
- age,
- gender
- medical history.
Two of the most commonly prescribed medications for hair loss are Rogaine and Propecia.
References
- Rassman WR, Pak JP, Kim J, Estrin NF. Scalp micropigmentation: a concealer for hair and scalp deformities. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015 Mar;8(3):35-42. PMID: 25852813; PMCID: PMC4382144.
- Gruber R. How to explain the beneficial effects of platelet-rich plasma. Periodontology 2000. Published online April 10, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12565
- Gentile P, Garcovich S. The Effectiveness of Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy on Hair Loss. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. Published online September 20, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/fpsam.2021.0151
- Olsen EA, Carson SC, Turney EA. Systemic steroids with or without 2% topical minoxidil in the treatment of alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol. 1992 Nov;128(11):1467-73. PMID: 1444500.
- Talebzadeh AT, Talebzadeh N. Stem Cell Applications in Human Hair Growth: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 11;15(4):e37439. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37439. PMID: 37181955; PMCID: PMC10174680.
Article Review By: Dr. Jyothi Shenoy V
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MBBS, MD – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, MRCOG(UK)
23 Years Experience Overall
