Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) is the most common type of hair loss in men. The condition is characterized by the progressive loss of terminal hairs on the scalp in a characteristic distribution. The anterior scalp, mid scalp, temporal scalp, and vertex of the scalp are typical sites of involvement.

Androgenetic alopecia is considered an androgen-dependent trait that requires a genetic predisposition. The interaction of these factors and other mechanisms that remain to be elucidated contributes to follicular miniaturization (the transition of larger, terminal hair fibers to small vellus hair fibers) in susceptible scalp areas.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the key androgen involved in the induction and promotion of male androgenetic alopecia. DHT is a potent metabolite of testosterone and, compared with testosterone, has greater affinity for the androgen receptor.

The 5-alpha-reductase enzyme inhibitors, finasteride and dutasteride, mediate the conversion of testosterone to DHT and are main stay therapy for androgenetic alopecia.

What are Dr. Reszko’s favorite hair rejuvenation the treatment options?

• PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy with or without ACELL and micro-needling strengthens, regrows and restores volume
• Mesopucture with growth factors, anti-inflammatory peptides to restore health of the scalp and enhance hair strength
• Topical medications: minoxidil and finasteride
• Oral medications: finasteride, minoxidil
• Vitamins/supplements: nutrafol, viviscal, biotin, IV therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an increasingly popular hair regrowth solution.  PRP, refers to a portion of whole blood i.e. platelets, that is separated from the blood through the process of centrifugation.

First, blood is withdrawn just like during routine blood testing.  Then the platelets are concentrated and separated.  Once separated, the concentrated platelets are injected into the skin, and also applied topically during and after associated microneedling.  Similar to one’s own stem cells, the platelets can help infuse nutrients into the skin and hair, boosting its natural healing properties.

PRP treatments are used to stimulate the stem cells and inactive scalp hair follicles and help to activate hair regeneration and growth, for thicker, fuller hair.

PRP for Hair Re-Growth

Platelets have been found to contain a number of growth factors and cytokines including:

• platelet-derived growth factor
• transforming growth factor beta
• fibroblast growth factor
• insulin-like growth factor 1
• insulin-like growth factor 2
• vascular endothelial growth factor
• epidermal growth factor
• Interleukin 8
• keratinocyte growth factor
• connective tissue growth factor

The end benefit of the combination of these growth factors is increased the vascularity to the treated area, decreasing the inflammation, healing and re-generation of tissue and clinically visible hair regrowth.

Length of Procedure/Maintenance Treatments

A single PRP session takes about 60 minutes.  A course of treatments, will be determined by the extent of your hair loss and final goals; however between 3 to 5 sessions, about 4 weeks apart are recommended.  Additional maintenance treatments may be scheduled a 3 to 4 times per year.

Post-treatment

Avoid makeup and sunscreen for 24 hours after the procedure.  Redness or inflammation may be common for a few days, post treatment, at the application site, but quickly resolves.

The benefits of PRP It will vary from person to person. Most people have results lasting over a year, and the process can be repeated.

Medications

• 2-5% minoxidil
• Biotin
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) | Acell MatriStemPRP has been clinically proven to increase hair growth and slow down hair loss resulting in thicker and fuller
  hair. PRP can restore your hair by attacking the very cause of hair loss or thinning. PRP involves the injection of
  own plasma and platelets (cells crucial for rapid wound healing after trauma), isolated from the peripheral
  blood into the scalp. Injected platelets have the ability to produce growth factors, cytokines and other
  chemical mediators that stimulate and reactivate the dormant hair follicles, initiate the skin regeneration
  process and stimulate skin remodeling and collagen synthesis. Since own platelets are injected, the PRP
  treatment is both natural and hypoallergenic.The Acell MatriStem is a synthetic product loaded with factors promoting tissue growth. By injecting these
  into the scalp, the part of the scalp that feeds the blood to the hair (dermal papilla) is stimulated.PRP can be performed with or without Acell MatriStem.