Latest Cutting Edge Hair Restoration Technologies
By Sara Wasserbauer | Published on August 16, 2010 | 0 Comments
Hair loss is a problem that can impact men and women alike. From thinning patches to obvious bald spots, hair loss symptoms can be troublesome on a physical and emotional level. Fortunately, experts in the field of hair restoration are constantly striving to develop new techniques and procedures to help those plagued by this taxing condition. Dr. Sara Wasserbauer is a highly experienced Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery in Walnut Creek, California, and according to her, there are a number of procedures available and in the works that are offering new hope for hair loss sufferers.
Lasers Can Stimulate Growth
Laser hair treatment is one option for patients who are tired of living with thinning or barely-there hair. According to Dr. Wasserbauer, lasers are thought to stimulate the scalp in a manner that encourages follicular growth. While laser hair therapy can be an option for patients who aren’t ideal transplant candidates, it can also be used as a follow-up treatment for those who do undergo surgery. Dr. Wasserbauer says that on top of stimulating hair follicles, the lasers used in this method of treatment can also promote wound healing; and despite the fact that scarring is usually kept to a minimum during transplantation surgery, a small degree of trauma to the scalp is to be expected over the course of the average transplant.
Platelet Rich Plasma
Another form of hair loss therapy that has recently gained some media attention is platelet rich plasma (PRP). Although this particular technology is being developed to serve various medical purposes, Dr. Wasserbauer thinks that it may hold some promise for hair restoration. The idea behind PRP is that the plasma can wake up dormant follicular cells, as activated platelets can release proteins known for their ability to stimulate growth. Before PRP can be introduced as a mainstream form of hair treatment, however, additional studies must be conducted to thoroughly evaluate its effects. And unfortunately for hair loss sufferers, some critics worry that marketing this technique as a valuable option for hair restoration may be just another ploy to get money from people who are desperate not to go bald.
Powered FUE
While some are of the opinion that machines can never take the place of humans when it comes to surgery and medicine, this latest technique may just prove that theory wrong. FUE, or Follicular Unit Extraction, is a highly refined method of hair transplantation that produces spectacular results with minimal to no scarring. Powered FUE takes this concept one step further by replacing the human element with that of robotics. Dr. Wasserbauer is actually involved in a research study wherein electronically powered devices are being used to perform this method of surgery. Why the robot? According to Dr. Wasserbauer, whereas manual FUE can take eight to 10 hours to complete, the use of a robot could cut the time in half. The use of robotics is thought to be able to mimic – if not surpass – the accuracy involved in human techniques. Although Dr. Wasserbauer isn’t thrilled with the notion of potentially being replaced by a robot, she agrees that this particular development does show some promise. As for now, however, this method of transplantation is still highly experimental.
Although hair loss can be an upsetting condition, patients should take comfort in the fact that new procedures such as these are constantly being developed and refined to offer the best results possible for hair restoration. In fact, Dr. Wasserbauer believes that in just a few years’ time, patients will have more options than ever when it comes to minimizing the effects of hair loss and improving their appearances in the long run.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.