Hair loss can be frustrating – it affects our confidence, self-image, and how we navigate the world. While men and women may both experience it, the good news is that modern medicine offers several ways to restore natural hair growth and prevent further loss.
At Hair Doc, in Cow Hollow, San Francisco, we take pride in building a personalized approach to hair restoration. Whether you’re considering medication, a surgical option like a hair transplant, or a regenerative option like platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), understanding your choices is the first step toward lasting results.
Approximately 80 million Americans deal with hair loss. Most hair loss is due to genetics, often androgenic alopecia, but factors like stress, hormones, and nutrition can also play a role. Hair follicles naturally cycle through growth, rest, and shedding — when these cycles are disrupted or follicles shrink, hair may thin over time.
Medical hair loss works by healing and reactivating dormant follicles, improving circulation, and redistributing healthy hair from one area to another.
Medication is a great first-line option for patients who are experiencing hair loss but aren’t ready to go under the knife for a hair transplant. Two of the most common treatments are minoxidil and finasteride.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a topical medication that widens blood vessels to enhance nutrient flow and prolong the growth phase of hair. It works well for both men and women and can help slow thinning, while also regrowing some hair in some cases.
Finasteride (Propecia®) is an oral medication that blocks dehydrotestosterone (DHT) — the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles in male pattern baldness. It’s effective for men but is not usually recommended for women.
Both medications require patience and consistency, as results are often visible around 3-6 months.
Are you experiencing moderate to severe hair loss? Hair transplantation is the gold standard for those seeking a permanent solution.
Two primary techniques exist:
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) — a small strip of scalp is removed and separated into units of 1-5 hairs that are placed on areas you’ve experienced thinning.
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) — Hair samples are collected in small circular shapes across areas with robust growth and placed using the ARTAS® iX, a precise robotic hair transplantation system.
Healthy, DHT-resistant follicles are relocated to thinning areas where they continue to grow naturally and seamlessly match your hair. Both procedures are performed under local anesthesia, meaning you remain awake and relaxed, and you can return to work in 1-2 weeks.
Results become noticeable in 3-4 months but often peak around six months.
If you prefer natural, noninvasive options, regenerative treatments might be a good choice.
PRP uses your own blood — spun in a centrifuge to isolate platelet-rich plasma, which is then injected into thinning areas of the scalp. These platelets release growth factors that revive dormant follicles and encourage stronger, thicker hair.
Another regenerative option is low-level laser therapy (LLLT), or the laser cap. It uses gentle red light to boost blood flow and stimulate follicle activity, helping strengthen existing hair and encourage new growth. It’s an easy, at-home treatment that pairs well with PRP or medication therapy for maintaining long-term results.
Sometimes the best outcomes come from combining treatments. PRP and medications are often used to help extend and maximize results from hair transplants. Our team at Hair Doc is here to help create individualized treatment plans tailored to your hair loss severity, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
Are you ready to start your hair restoration journey? Call 415-907-7354 or book your consultation online today.
Disclaimer: Photos used in this article are models and may or may not have had treatment.
