Hair is more than just a feature — it’s part of who we are. Whether you blow-dry it, style it with pomade, or just leave it natural, your hair often becomes a key part of your look. You probably don’t think much about it... until you start noticing it thinning.
For many people, hair loss sneaks up on them. Maybe you don’t realize it until you see a photo of yourself from behind, revealing thinning at the crown. And like most, you probably wait months before actually doing something about it, which can make things worse in the long run.
At Hair Doc, we know how tough this can be. That’s why we’re here to help those in Cow Hollow, San Francisco, find a solution to their hair loss — no matter how bad it is or how much they can afford. Whether you’re thinking about a hair transplant or something less invasive like a laser cap, we’ve got you covered.
We’re here to share when it’s best to start hair loss treatment so you can feel like yourself again.
If you’re like most, you probably are wondering when the best time is to start hair loss treatment. The truth is, the most optimal time to start hair restoration treatment is when you first notice changes, not when hair loss has gotten out of control.
Early-stage thinning can often be treated with less invasive measures, like the laser cap or medications. The laser cap is an FDA-approved treatment that uses low-level laser technology (650-670 nanometers) that’s emitted through diodes placed on the scalp. The cap is worn on your head for 20-30 minutes up to three times weekly and stimulates cellular energy by promoting follicle function.
Medication is often seen as a first-line approach to hair loss. Rogaine® and Propecia® are two of the medications we commonly prescribe to patients who are looking to halt hair loss and even regrow strands.
Rogaine is a topical solution available in foam and liquid form. Just apply it to your scalp on areas you’ve experienced thinning, and it works to increase blood flow to follicles to stimulate hair regrowth and slow down loss. 90% of men and 80% of women experienced an increase in hair count after using Rogaine.
Propecia is an oral medication that helps treat hair loss in men, especially those with male-pattern baldness. It works by lowering levels of DHT, a hormone that can shrink hair follicles and lead to hair thinning.
By reducing DHT, Propecia can slow down hair loss and even help regrow hair, particularly at the crown and along the hairline. 80% of men who took Propecia were able to retain their hair follicle count.
Not everyone catches their hair loss in its early stages. By the age of 35, 50% of men experience some hair loss, but many wait years to act on it. While the earliest stage is the best to start hair loss measures, it’s never too late to find a solution that works for you.
People experiencing moderate to severe hair loss often consider a hair transplant. Hair transplants are a permanent solution for hair loss that involves relocating healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp to another. This is generally done in two ways: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplant (FUT).
FUE involves individually extracting hair follicles from a donor area and placing them on areas where you’ve experienced hair loss, leaving thin and barely noticeable scars that are hidden under hair growth. This method is minimally invasive, and most people recover in about a week.
On the other hand, an FUT involves removing a strip of skin from the donor area, from which hair follicles are extracted and transplanted to balding areas. This may involve a linear scar, but it can offer a better option for those who need more hair grafts. The FUT offers a slightly longer recovery, often about two weeks, but provides long-lasting and natural results.
Hair loss can be hard to face, but the truth is, you are not alone. The sooner you take action, the sooner you can halt hair loss and get started towards a more youthful appearance.
Let’s talk – call 415-907-7354 or book online.
Disclaimer: Photos used in this article are models and may or may not have had treatment.
