Non-Surgical Hair Restoration

Everyone will experience some sort of hair loss as they get older. However, for some men and women, the hair loss starts younger and is more noticeable than normal thinning. Often attributed to genetic hair loss, people who suffer from pattern baldness may look for treatments that will restore and/or slow the progression of their hair loss. Thankfully, with new advancements in regenerative medicine, there are multiple non-surgical solutions. At Northwest Face & Body, Dr. Allegra and his team of master injectors provide the best non-surgical hair restoration Bellevue and Kirkland offers.

Overview: Hair Loss And Restoration

Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are the two most common genetic hair loss conditions. This hair loss occurs in predictable patterns and can even start in young adulthood for some people. Typically, this hair loss is purely genetic. The hair follicles themselves are not wholly damaged. Therefore, it is possible to restore and slow hair loss that results from genetic factors.

While hereditary hair loss is the most common, there are many other reasons a person may experience hair loss. Depending on the cause, hair may be completely restorable without major treatment, or it may not come back at all. While total hair loss is fairly rare, hair restoration must begin before full baldness. Otherwise, no hair restoration technique, even hair transplant will provide effective results.

Causes Of Hair Loss

Hair loss can have several causes. While genetic hair loss is the most common cause, many other factors influence hair loss and the efficacy of hair restoration. Among some of the causes of hair loss include:

Hormonal changes (including those associated with pregnancy and menopause)

Thyroid issues

Medical conditions

Certain medications

Radiation therapy (normally for cancer treatment)

Stress

Malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies

Injuries or trauma to the scalp

Consistent wearing of tight hairstyles

Many of these conditions do not wholly or permanently cause thinning hair or loss. When treated or addressed, hair will often come back. Though, this depends on countless other factors and is largely individualized.

What’s Possible From Hair Restoration

Surgical and non-surgical hair restoration techniques can only address active, physically undamaged hair follicles. Therefore, for patients who experienced physical trauma to the scalp, hair restoration methods will likely not be effective. Additionally, when hair loss is caused by a medical condition or medication, non-surgical methods may speed hair regrowth. However, the cause will still need to be addressed regardless of other hair restoration treatments.

When treating genetic hair loss, non-surgical hair restoration can typically only restore hair lost within the previous few months. Though, some patients may see more extensive restoration depending on the state of their hair follicles. Surgery can often address a much larger area but does require using donor hair. Therefore, it cannot treat totally bald patients.

The most important thing to note is that while non-surgical hair restoration can provide results, it cannot ultimately reverse genetics. Hair loss will continue with age. However, with consistent treatment, patients can significantly slow hair loss and keep more hair longer.

Types Of Non-Surgical Hair Restoration

Non-surgical hair restoration comes in a few different forms. Typically, your provider will recommend starting with the least invasive and intensive and working up from there. At Northwest Face & Body, our providers can prescribe or perform many of these techniques.

Medications

There are two main types of hair restoration medications: minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil is primarily a topically applied medication while finasteride is an oral medication mainly prescribed for men. These are often prescribed in conjunction with other methods. They are effective for a lot of people experiencing thinning or early signs of hair loss.

Benefits of medication for hair restoration include:

Does not require regular office visits

Painless

Low risk

Prescription strength

Lengthens hair growth cycle

Convenient

Easy to use

Widely clinically tested and FDA approved

Available in over-the-counter (though these are not prescription strength)

Used for decades

Laser Therapy

One of the newest advancements in non-surgical hair restoration comes in the form of laser therapy. Studies have shown that lower level laser therapy can stimulate hair growth. Along with this, the FDA recently approved a laser cap to slow the progression of hair loss. Your provider can discuss this option with you during a consultation.

Benefits of low level laser therapy for hair restoration include:

Certain types can be performed at home

Painless

Few to no side effects for most patients

Over-the-counter options available

Increases stimulation of the hair follicles and blood flow to the scalp

Injections

Finally, injections of the patient’s isolated plasma or other regenerative materials are among one of the most effective hair restoration techniques currently available. Best used to slow hair loss and restore the early indications, hair restoration injections are one of our specialties.

Benefits of hair restoration injections:

Little to no downtime or recovery

Performed in office

Treatment does not need to be performed daily

Can use material only from own patient’s blood or combine it with other growth factors for an individualized hair restoration approach

Safe and low risk

Often considered one of the most effective non-surgical hair restoration techniques

Little pain and easily managed during treatment

Longer periods between treatments

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Hair Restoration: Which Is Right For Me?

How do you know whether hair transplant surgery or non-surgical hair restoration is right for you? It all depends on the severity of your hair loss, goals, preferences, and the cause of hair loss. The table below details the major differences between the procedures and signs one may benefit you more than the other.

Surgical

Non-Surgical

Requires downtime and recovery

May require general anesthesia

Results are often long lasting, sometimes permanent

Higher risk of scarring

Can treat more extensive hair loss

Only one surgical session required

Likely better for older patients

More predictable results

No major downtime or recovery

Only local anesthesia used

Results long lasting, but not permanent

Almost no risk of scarring

Better for treating thinning or early stages of loss

Multiple sessions required

Likely better for younger patients

If your hair loss is more extensive, you will likely see the best results from a hair transplant. Additionally, it is possible to undergo non-surgical hair restoration in Bellevue after a hair transplant to maintain and improve results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatment?

The best non-surgical hair loss treatment will vary from person to person. Some patients may see adequate results from medications alone. Others may see their ideal results from a combination of non-surgical treatments. Furthermore, some patients may not see their best results from non-surgical treatment.

In general, hair restoration injections are largely believed to be the best and most effective. While the medications are close behind, not everyone can take prescribed hair loss medications, or respond well to them. Hair injections have relatively few risks and side effects.

How Long Do Hair Injections Last?

The initial round of treatments is generally four to six sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Following this, patients can expect their restored hair to last for around a couple of years. However, if a patient undergoes yearly or occasional touch-up sessions, patients may see lifelong results. Ultimately, Bellevue hair restoration injections slow the progression of loss and help patients keep their hair longer.

Do The Injections Hurt?

When administering hair restoration injections, your provider will numb the treatment areas beforehand. Some patients may still feel some light pressure or pain, but it is generally bearable and not overwhelming. Some pain may occur after the procedure. If it does, most patients report it comes in the form of scalp tightness. Usually, it is adequately treated with Tylenol.

Are There Any Risks Associated With Non-Surgical Hair Restoration Injections?

Any medical treatment comes with some amount of risk. When it comes to hair injections, there are few associated risks. Similar to any injection, there is a minuscule risk of infection, scarring, and bruising. Beyond this, some patients may experience more severe side effects, but these generally subside with treatments or home remedies.

The largest risk of non-surgical hair restoration injections is that they simply will not be effective. While they are arguably the most effective form of non-surgical hair restoration, this technique will not work for anyone. Your provider can discuss this in detail with you and create a plan that takes this into account.

How Much Is Non-Surgical Hair Restoration?

The exact cost of non-surgical hair restoration injections in Bellevue depends on the number of sessions and formula. The starting cost of six sessions for the basic hair restoration injections is $3,000 with an injector. You can find more pricing information on our price list and Price Simulator®. Financing information and direct links to apply can be found on our financing page.

The Best Non-Surgical Hair Restoration In Bellevue And Kirkland

For those experiencing hair loss, the condition often feels hopeless to treat. Thankfully, modern technology and regenerative medicine provide many non-surgical options for slowing and treating hair loss. Dr. Allegra and the Northwest Face & Body team are experts in hair loss and restoration. They provide the best non-surgical hair restoration Bellevue and Kirkland offers.

Northwest Face & Body is a premier plastic surgery clinic that has served the Eastside for more than thirty years. Located on the shores of Lake Washington in south Kirkland, the office is picturesque and easy to access. It is the ideal location for your non-surgical hair restoration treatments.

To schedule a consultation with a hair restoration provider at Northwest Face & Body, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also reach out online using Price Simulator®, chat, and our contact form.

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