Hair transplantation; It is the process of surgically removing the hair follicles on the back of the head (occipital region) of individuals with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), which are more resistant to shedding, and transplanting them to the bald area. PRP to the scalp, which we can call hair treatments, stem cell application, extracellular matrix application, micrograft application, hair mesotherapy and regional or oral medications.
We can divide these into two groups as treatments that individuals can have in a clinic and treatments that can be applied at home.
While the things to be done in a clinic are PRP, stem cell application, extracellular matrix application, micrograft application, hair mesotherapy, there are also topical (direct application to the area) and oral options that can be applied in the residence.
In any case, there are differences, of course, in the midst of all these formulas, which must be administered by or with a prescription from a suitably trained physician.
Since hair transplantation is a long-term surgical process that takes 8-12 hours due to the trouble of the process we mentioned above, it has some difficulties in terms of care during and after the process, but as we mentioned at the beginning, since we carry the genetically stronger hair to the bald area, the results are longer and longer. It is a treatment formula that we achieve positive results in a short time.
On the other hand, PRP, stem cell application, extracellular matrix application, micrograft application and hair mesotherapy can be applied to the scalp in a relatively shorter time -about 15-20 minutes-, and if it is applied at regular intervals, we can now call it as the vellus type, which is not lost but weakened hair, during the sleep period. It is the process of strengthening the hairs (thin, weak, almost feathered hair) to make them look fuller and stronger, making it harder to shed.
Apart from these, drug applications that can be taken locally or as oral tablets are treatment techniques that can be used continuously, but again, under the guidance of a physician, while continuing daily life.
To look at the differences between them, hair transplantation, or more commonly known as hair transplantation, is a long-term surgical process and requires wound care. In addition to this, as an advantage, long-term results can be obtained by carrying the genetically stronger hair strands to the bald area, while PRP or stem cell application to the scalp and hair mesotherapy can be applied in a relatively shorter time, and weakened hair follicles with repeated applications to be made at intervals. it provides an appearance that makes individuals pleasant by strengthening it, and it can be a roughness for the development of baldness for a long time. On the other hand, local or oral (systemic) drug treatments should be used in a more comfortable environment, but always.
In addition to all these, autologous micrograft method (Gcell) and extracellular matrix application (Acell, Hair Vaccine), which appear as innovative treatments, appear in addition to other short-period treatment techniques and almost compete with hair transplantation, and are quite satisfactory in terms of the natural appearance of the results obtained. are compelling methods.
Is hair treatment an alternative to hair transplantation or is it done for the purpose of supplementation?
The answer to this question is both “yes” and “no”. It is possible to both prevent shedding and make the hair appear thicker and denser, as if new hair has grown, by strengthening the existing hair, especially with the scalp PRP or stem cell application or by applying hair mesotherapy. By repeating these treatments at regular intervals, it may be possible to live for a long time before baldness develops, but it may not always be possible to get such lucky results due to living conditions and unsystematic applications.
On the other hand, it is also possible to strengthen the result of transplantation with mesotherapy, PRP or stem cell applications to be applied to the environment where the newly transplanted hair, which we call graft, is supported by supporting the newly transplanted hair follicles.
In addition to all these, PRP + extracellular matrix application (Acell + PRP) triggers new hair formation by awakening the stem cells that are almost dormant in the scalp, in patients who do not think about hair transplantation but have hair loss now, while in autologous micrograft application (Gcell), it is similar to hair transplantation. Very promising results are obtained by injecting hair follicles and stem cells obtained from a very small, 3 mm diameter, 3 modules scalp into areas without hair in as little as 15 minutes, with the help of a needle.
These two methods, which can often be applied alone, can also be combined with hair transplantation.
What applications are we talking about when we talk about hair treatments? How many types of hair treatments are there?
If we exclude hair transplantation from the problem and name it as medical hair treatment, these are:
Scalp PRP application
stem cell application
Hair mesotherapy
Acell + PRP (Hair Vaccine)
Gcell (Hair Micrograft System)
Topical drug use
Oral drug use
We can separate.
How can a person choose the appropriate treatment? Is the best treatment for each patient different?
I would definitely recommend consulting a doctor for treatment selection. The structure of the hair, scalp, hair loss, life rules, even the environment in which the person lives and the job they do can be a distinguishing factor when evaluating the choice of treatment.
What is the frequency and duration of these treatments?
PRP, stem cell or mesotherapy applications to be applied to the scalp are treatment options that can take 4-6 sessions, require a minimum of 15 days in the middle of the sessions, and can be applied once a year or every two years; Topical or systemic (oral) medications should always be used.
Acell + PRP and Gcell systems, on the other hand, are as practical as they are innovative and give satisfactory results with a single application. Rarely, it may need to be repeated at intervals of 1 or 2 years.
Do these treatments stop shedding altogether?
In fact, stopping completely is not a correct pronunciation. Although it varies according to the seasons in a healthy person, it is normal to lose about 100-150 strands of hair every day. The formation of thick, strong hair, which we call new, terminal hair, from the follicles, which we can consider as dormant, instead of this shedding hair is a normal process experienced in the scalp. What we do in this process is to wake up the dormant hair follicles and increase the number of terminal hairs.
We aim to revitalize the hair, which is weakened due to intense androgenic activity, malnutrition, environmental factors such as dust, hair dyes, chemicals, and stress, by supporting the hair that is on the verge of shedding.
In this case, if we continue to nurture and support the roots we mentioned with appropriate frequencies, it is of course possible to prevent their shedding.
Who should have hair treatments?
All individuals, male or female, whose hair is thinning, weakening, sparse or starting to lose its shine, can have hair treatment to protect their hair health.
Of course, these processes should definitely be done by physicians in appropriately equipped clinics.
What should be considered in hair treatments?
After the hair transplantation, the care of the wound and the transplanted hair follicles should be done properly as explained by the transplanting doctor. Apart from this, topical or systemic (oral) drug use should not go beyond the doctor’s prescription and a doctor should definitely be consulted when an unexpected side effect is seen.
On the other hand, except for the precautions to be taken by the doctor who applies PRP, stem cell application, extracellular matrix application, micrograft application, hair mesotherapy to the scalp and rarely, if necessary, warnings are given, it is sufficient to protect the skin from the harmful effects of chemical elements and the sun, only to protect the skin.