When it comes to treating hair loss, what does it mean to be minimally invasive? According to the American Institute for Minimally Invasive Survery (AIMIS), minimally invasive procedures are generally characterized by small incisions, fewer stitches, and a faster overall recovery (i). Most modern hair loss treatments fall into this category, giving hair loss sufferers a variety of restoration options known to deliver natural looking results. And for those who demand the most comfortable solution with virtually no disruption to everyday life, special non-invasive hair loss treatments are also available. These non-invasive hair restoration procedures are characterized by the absence of incisions into tissue, like the skin (ii). Hair loss professionals may recommend either minimally invasive or non-invasive procedures to treat various types of hair loss, including:

• Androgenetic Alopecia (pattern baldness)
• Telogen Effluvium (stress related hair loss)
• Hormonally Induced Hair Loss (DHT, PCOS, & hypothyroidism, among others)

Minimally invasive hair restoration options are typically recommended to men and women who don’t mind undergoing a surgical procedure to correct shedding, receding hairlines, and thinning crowns. The most common types of minimally invasive procedures include:

Strip Donor Transplant. In a strip donor procedure, a linear micrograft of healthy hairs (follicular units) is extracted from a side or rear of the scalp, separated, and transplanted to the patient’s recipient area(s). Graft by graft, surgeons are able to restore the areas of the patient’s scalp that are affected by thinning, shedding, or balding.

Follicular Unit Extraction.Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a more refined method of conducting a hair transplant procedure. Using a small punch instrument that measures just 1-2mm in diameter, a surgeon is able to remove individual follicular units without having to harvest a linear micrograft. This reduces the appearance of post-procedure scars, making this procedure popular among men who like to wear their hair short.

Non-invasive hair restoration procedures are commonly recommended to women. This is because female hair loss typically progresses in a more diffuse manner compared to male pattern baldness, often making it more difficult to achieve desired results with a surgical procedure. When surgical hair restoration is not an option, hair loss professionals usually recommended the following non-invasive treatment protocols:

Cold Laser Therapy. Cold laser therapy products are designed to reinvigorate dormant hair follicles and generate new hair growth. This type of hair loss treatment is sometimes also called low level laser therapy (LLLT). Visit the following link to learn more about reversing hair loss with cold laser therapy.

Minoxidil. Widely known by the brand name Rogaine®, minoxidil is another common treatment option for women who suffer with hair loss. Typically, Rogaine® is applied directly to the scalp at least once or twice daily, as prescribed by a hair loss professional.

Lifestyle Changes. Perhaps the easiest to implement are lifestyle changes like improving diet, proactively managing stress, and taking hair health supplements as directed by a physician. Together, these small lifestyle changes can have a big impact on the health and vitality of hair.

It is estimated that more than 50 million men and women suffer with hair loss in the United States alone, causing serious setbacks in personal, social, and professional life. If you or a loved one suffers with hair loss, rest assured you are not alone. Visit Capillus® online to learn more about our international network of renowned dermatologists and hair transplant surgeons that are available to help you diagnose and treat hair loss. Call toll free for a physician evaluation today at 1-888-272-9599.

(i) http://www.aimis.org/what-is-minimally-invasive-surgery/ (ii) http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/noninvasive