Often hair loss is something you may notice in the mirror, but don’t know that there is anything that works to treat it. Over-the-counter topicals work for some kinds of male-pattern baldness, but not all. Some prescription drugs also have unwanted side effects. If you are looking for hair loss treatments that our dermatologist in Northern Virginia recommends, you’ve found it!

We offer everything from supplements to scalp treatments for treating hair loss.

Dermatologist Hair Loss Treatment Options for Men and Women

Supplements for Hair Health

We do recommend some supplements for hair loss. Occasionally vitamin deficiencies can contribute to hair loss and supplements can help aid in the texture and quality of your hair.

1. Evening Primrose Oil – nourishes skin, hair and joints by supplying essential omega-6 fatty acids. Look to start dosing with 500mg twice daily.
2. Omega-3 – provides the much-needed fatty acids EPA and DHA. Aim for a goal of 2000 mg of EPA plus DHA total daily.
3. Vitamin D – supports bone and immune health. Best to know your blood levels to dose appropriately, but generally a dose of 1000-2000 IU of vitamin D3 daily is a safe starting point.
4. Milk Thistle – supports a healthy liver and provides natural antioxidant capabilities. Look for extracts of milk thistle with silybum or silymarin standardized to 70 to 80 percent.
5. Nutrafol – clinically shown to improve hair growth, thickness and less shedding. 100% drug-free supplement.

Keravive Scalp Treatment

Hydrafacial Keravive is a relaxing scalp treatment using the patented Hydrafacial “vacuum” technology that exfoliates the skin and removes product build-up.

Poor scalp health, dry skin, clogged follicles, dead skin flakes, and lack of circulation can lead directly to thinner-looking hair. Treatment comes with a 30-day supply of Keravive Peptide Complex spray, a proprietary blend of growth factors, peptides and skin proteins that are understood to be lacking in people with thinning or damaged hair.

Microneedling

Microneedling is using a medical-grade, state-of-the-art precision tool available only through skincare professionals. It works by creating a series of hundreds of microscopic channels into the dermis to stimulate the skin’s natural production of new collagen and elastin, helping to stimulate hair follicles.

Platelet Rich Plasma /  Platelet-Rich Fibrin

You will seldom find any individuals that are not looking to achieve a better facial complexion. Even those that have no complaints are still looking for an edge.

After Kim Kardashian’s bloody post-facial photo, this particular skin treatment grew in popularity. It allows users to gain a more youthful complexion through the use of their own blood.  There is now a similar treatment that can produce the same results, but for hair loss.

This treatment is called Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP for short. Essentially, this treatment uses the plasma in your blood in order to facilitate hair growth. The reason this is possible is because everyone’s blood is made up of red blood cells and plasma.

Platelet Rich Fibrin

Similar to PRP, to create PRF the blood is spun at a lower speed so that the layers of the blood do not separate out as distinctly. This allows some of the white blood cells and stem cells to remain within the platelet layer, instead of being separated. This gives PRF more healing factors than PRP, less cellular damage and PRF contains approximately 10 times the platelet concentration when compared with normal blood.

The Process

To begin your treatment, all patients are expected to have blood drawn for their arm. That blood is then placed inside of a machine that is called a centrifuge.

Once inside, the blood is then spun in order to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. Remember, the plasma is the essential part that is needed in order for the PRP process to work correctly.

From there the patient is injected into the scalp at the bottom of the hair follicles. It isn’t just one injection, but many that are needed in order to complete the treatment. Patients can expect to spend about roughly a half hour during treatment.

Risks Involved

There are truly no risks to having the procedure done. The thought of needles, injections and blood would leave many to believe that there must be some sort of risk involved, but there is not.

In fact, most patients receive those injections without the help of any numbing whatsoever. Those that do feel any level of discomfort can soothe their pains with the help of Tylenol. Bruising does usually take place after treatment, but you can expect it to subside within one-to-two weeks.

As far as downtime, there isn’t any. Patients typically get right back to their normal daily routine as soon as treatment is over. A hot shower is recommended as the heat from the shower will help the blood flow circulate throughout the scalp.

Patients will have to go a day, maybe two at the most, without their typical hair routines such as coloring, processing and blow drying.

Who PRP/PRF Works For

Every and anyone that has experienced some type of hair loss can safely undergo this procedure. Whether it be male, female, old or young, all can have the full head of hair that they are craving.

The PRP/PRF Results

Like most procedures, the most important thing for patients to do is to stay consistent. Treatment takes place about once a month for the first three or four months when you are first starting.

Once you have gotten through that phase, the treatments are not needed as frequent. Every three-to-six months would typically become the standard treatment time table.

Those that are waiting to see the results won’t have to wait long. Within the first two or three months, patients have reported to have seen a vast improvement.

Hair Loss Treatment Before and Afters

Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatments in Northern Virginia

If you’re interested in learning more about our non-surgical hair loss treatments in Northern Virginia, call Reston Dermatology today to schedule an appointment.

We offer several financing options including Credit Card, PatientFi, AFFIRM, and CareCredit. You can learn more here.

Hair Loss FAQ

Is it normal to lose hair every day?

Yes. On average, you shed between 50-100 hairs a day. If you notice more significant hair loss, it may be abnormal.

Why is my hair thinning?

Hair loss is caused by many factors like genetics, nutrition, medical conditions, hormones, age and more. The leading cause of hair loss in men and women is androgenetic alopecia. This condition is hereditary. Second, is aging. Hair loss is a natural part of the aging process. The good news is it doesn’t have to be.

Is hair loss permanent?

In some cases, hair loss is only temporary. However, some cases may be chronic and slowly worsen over time. with the right care and treatment, regrowth is possible. But it is important to speak to your doctor as soon as possible to begin a treatment plan.

Which hair loss treatment is right for me?

This will depend on the reason for your hair loss, your desired outcome, and other factors. We offer several treatments, including Keravive Scalp treatment, PRP and a variety of supplements to help you stop hair loss and boost regrowth. We would be happy to help you find the best treatment.