Traditionally the only proven medical treatments are Minoxidil as a lotion and Finasteride as an oral medication.

There are also lots of tonics sold in the shop, which claim to be effective in reducing hair loss, or even reversing the whole process to full recovery. The majorities do not have enough evidences to substantiate their claims, and to use them as a sole treatment would be a waste of time and money.

However, there are a few that do have some convincing medical evidences, then again they are best viewed as supplementary treatments in a programme of multiple therapies, in which each of them contributes a certain percentage of effectiveness.

The recent development of stem cells therapy has also found its way into hair loss treatments and there are evidences that they can be surprisingly encouraging even in cases not responding to the standard Finasteride in Androgenic Alopecia.

The various treatments we use in our Hair and Scalp Care Centre consist of:

According to the requirement of individual cases, these will be tailored for different people in different combinations. The aim is to create a synergistic action. We will take photographs from the beginning and monitor the progress at every single visit, in order to achieve the best result for everyone.

Shampoo

It contains OPC, Oligomeric Proantocyanidin, a kind of flavanol catechin proven to be a hair growth stimulant, in researches published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology and Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. It has intensive anti-oxidant activity and can revert hair growth from resting phase to growth phase.

Other ingredients include:

• Oleanolic acid, which can inhibit 5 alpha reductase;

• Apigenin, and Biotinyl GHK, which promote the adhesive proteins, and therefore anchoring power, at the dermis / root sheath junction, such as Laminin 5 and Collagen IV.

Lotions and Serums

1. Minoxidil

Minoxidil works directly towards the inside of follicles. It opens the potassium channels, which in turn increases the blood circulation and cells turnover, as well as lengthens the growth phase and switches hair from the resting phase to the growth phase. Treatment regime is to apply in the areas beginning to thin, twice daily. This is effective in suppressing further hair loss. It is available in 2% and 5%.

Some people may have mild irritation at the site of application. 3 % of female users may experience excessive hair growth in the face, which is not desirable.


2. Oligomeric Proantocyanidin

It has intensive anti-oxidant activity, and encourages the proliferation of epithelial cells and keratinocytes in the hair follicles. Overall the hair follicles are stimulated to revert from resting phase to growth phase.


3. Oleanolic acid

It inhibits the 5 alpha reductase I and II, the enzymes involved in the production of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and development of male baldness.


4. Apigenin and Biotinyl GHK

They promote the adhesive proteins at the dermis / root sheath junction, thereby increasing the anchoring power and prevent hair from falling off. These proteins include Laminin 5 and Collagen IV.


5. Bio-peptides

These consist of wheat protein peptide, glutamic acid, proline, serine and leucine, which increase the blood supply to the hair root, and also enhance the hair shaft structure to better withstand mechanical and thermal stresses.


6. Vitamins and Minerals.

These include Biotin (vitamin H), Dexpanthenol (vitamin B5), Pyridoxine (vitamin B6), Zinc, Selenium, and Copper peptides. They work together to promote blood circulation around the hair root, protect the budding hair with anti-oxidant activities, and encourage a more robust and resilient hair structure.

 

Oral Supplements

These include a lot of essential nutrients to help maintain healthy skin and hair.

Vitamins B1 (Thiamin); B2 (Riboflavin); B3 (Niacin); B5 (Pantothenic acid); B6 (Pyridoxine); B12 (Cyanocobalamin); H (Biotin)

Vitamin A; C; D; E and Folic acid.

Minerals: Iron; Magnesium; Zinc; Iodine; Manganese; Copper; Silicon; Chromium; Selenium
 

Oral Medication

The only one currently available is Finasteride. It was first used to treat enlarged prostate gland. It blocks the enzyme 5-alpha Reductase II, which makes Dihydrotestosterone. It is most effective only in mild to moderate cases, and not those advanced stages with balding for many years. Clinical researches showed that in the first year of treatment, around 50% of people experience increases in the hair density, and it increases to 66% after 2 years.

Although Finasteride is effective in making hair grow back in the centre of the scalp, but is really not too satisfactory in improving the stage 2 or 3 hair loss in the corners of the forehead. This may be due to differences of the 2 areas in their sensitivity to DHT.

The regime is to take a 1mg tablet daily. It usually takes 2 - 3 months to notice the first sign of hair growing back. The hair grown back may be lost again gradually in 12 months once the treatment is stopped.

Since Finasteride drops the level of the male hormone testoterone, about 0.7% of males taking the treatment may experience decreased sex drive. This will return to normal once the treatment is discontinued.

Finasteride is not suitable in treating females suffering from central thinning and baldness, there is no evidence that it may improve their hair loss, and if they are pregnant, they should not come into contact with this because of the risk of causing abnormality to the babies.

 

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is an alternative delivery system of medication by injecting directly a small quantity of ingredients into the dermis of the skin, using very fine needles. This method has been and is still very popular in Europe, in treating cellulites, tightening lax skin, rejuvenating aging skin, treating various musculo-skeletal problems, as well as scars and hair loss.

The depth of injection is only 3 to 4mm. The pain is tolerable. It is better done by a meso-gun than by manually, as it will cause much less pain and is more accurate in the depth of the injections.

The ingredients include a mixture of different nutrients, which are essential in hair growth and will increase the blood circulation in the scalp. In some cases, Minoxidil and Finasteride can be added as well. Recently there are more and more evidence of using stem cells preparation, or various growth factors that are derived from them.

 

Micro-needles Therapy

This is a new treatment method adopted from the mesotherapy concept. Skin needling can be performed on the skin of any part of the body including the scalp.

By rolling the needle roller on the scalp, numerous micro-punctures and channels are created. This serves two purposes. First, it induces collagen and elastin production naturally by the skin through the release of growth factors. Second, by applying the treatment ingredients on the scalp and rolling the needle roller over it, absorption and penetration of these active ingredients are enhanced hundreds of times as they seep deeply into the skin through the micro-channels.

In our center, we prefer to use a Micro-Needle Stamp, as this will ensure the needles going into the skin more in a perpendicular fashion, therefore reaching the desired depth as indicated by the needle length. This will also avoid the possible scratches caused by the needles when they come into contact with the skin from the sides.

For the treatment of thinning hair and hair loss, the needle length is 0.75mm to 1mm. When compared to mesotherapy gun injections, the pain is very much less and is very tolerable, while at the same time creating many more channels where the active ingredients can seep through.

 

Light Therapy

Light therapy, or photo-therapy, is the application of light energy to the skin / scalp for therapeutic benefits. It is a natural photo-biochemical reaction similar to the process of plant photo-synthesis. LED (Light Emitting Diodes) is a commonly used light source.

LED emits near-infrared light with wide wavelength range. NASA’s space program has proven that LED light promotes wound healing and human tissue growth. The energy delivered by the LED light enhances cellular metabolism, accelerates the repair and replenishment of damaged skin cells.

It is better used in the early stages, perhaps in those people who start experiencing a gradual thinning of hair. Hair will be noticed to become thicker and fall off less often. However, those who have advanced baldness may find it difficult to notice a difference.
 

Successful cases: