Hair Restoration: Nonsurgical and Surgical Approaches

May 2021 in “ Advances in Cosmetic Surgery ”

Farah Moustafa, Nicole L. Rogers

androgenic alopecia topical minoxidil oral antiandrogens finasteride dutasteride spironolactone phototherapy platelet-rich plasma hair transplantation Follicular Unit Transplantation Follicular Unit Excision AGA Rogaine Propecia PRP FUT FUE

TLDR Hair restoration can be achieved through non-surgical treatments like minoxidil, antiandrogens, phototherapy, and PRP procedures, or through surgical methods like hair transplantation. Continued treatment is needed to maintain results, and full results are visible after 12-18 months.

The document discusses both non-surgical and surgical approaches to hair restoration for androgenic alopecia (AGA), a condition affecting up to 70% of men and 50% of women by age 80. Non-surgical treatments include topical minoxidil, oral antiandrogens like finasteride and dutasteride, spironolactone for women, phototherapy, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) procedures. PRP has shown positive effects on hair growth and density. For advanced hair loss, hair transplantation, either through Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Follicular Unit Excision (FUE), can offer significant cosmetic improvement. However, continued medical therapy is necessary to maintain results. Patients usually start noticing hair growth 3-4 months after the surgery, with full results visible by 12-18 months. Potential complications include bleeding and donor depletion, requiring early recognition and management.

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