An Update on Hair Restoration

The 2015 document reviewed advancements in hair restoration, including harvesting techniques like the strip method and follicular unit extraction (FUE), which was gaining popularity for its reduced scarring. It discussed FDA-approved medications finasteride and minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), as well as the more potent, non-FDA-approved dutasteride and ketoconazole shampoo for hair growth. Adjunctive treatments such as low-level light therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were also mentioned for potentially improving graft survival and hair density. The document concluded that hair transplantation, particularly FUT and FUE, was the gold standard for hair loss treatment, with advancements like the NeoGraft machine and ARTAS robot improving graft harvesting. It suggested that stem cell therapy and gene therapy could be future treatments for severe baldness and AGA by reactivating dormant hair follicles.