We know that dealing with alopecia is a frustrating experience. So, it’s only natural that you’re looking for a hair loss solution. As the saying goes, your hair is your crowning glory!
Fortunately, there are different hair loss treatments on the market, including surgical and non-surgical ones. However, to determine a suitable treatment for you, you need to understand the underlying cause of your hair loss and the method of the available treatments.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide for you. In this post, you’ll find out the following:
- The causes of androgenetic alopecia
- Non-surgical hair loss treatments in Singapore
- When you should consider surgical hair loss treatments
What are the causes of androgenetic alopecia?
Androgenetic alopecia induces hair loss in both men and women, but mainly men. It is the leading cause of hair loss worldwide, and it is caused primarily by your hair follicles being gradually damaged by a combination of factors.
Here are some reasons this may happen:
- Genes and hormones: Male or female pattern hair loss is caused by having genetics that predispose you to the damaging effects of a certain hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT.
- Stress: Many people experience general hair thinning for several months after physical or emotional trauma. This hair loss could be only temporary if it is truly a stress-induced shedding event called telogen effluvium. However, chronic stress accelerates the progress of androgenetic alopecia.
- Nutrition deficiency: Androgenetic alopecia may be caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of iron or vitamin D. This can be corrected with a proper diet or intake of hair growth supplements found in Singapore.
- Thyroid issues: The thyroid is located in the neck and regulates metabolism-related hormones. Alopecia can be caused by an underactive or overactive thyroid. Hair loss due to this issue can be treated by addressing your thyroid condition.
What are the non-surgical hair loss treatments in Singapore?
If you’re looking for non-surgical hair loss treatments in Singapore, you’ll be able to find several options on the market.
Here are some of the most popular ones for your consideration:
Medications
There are clinically proven medications that can help in treating androgenetic alopecia. Examples of these would be minoxidil or finasteride.
Off-label use of other medications such as oral contraceptive pills, spironolactone or dutasteride have also been proven to be useful treatments in androgenetic alopecia.
Apart from minoxidil, which is available over the counter as a topical version, the other medications need to be prescribed by a doctor in Singapore. Expected results and potential side effects from the medications should be addressed by a doctor.
Medications, will be required to be taken long-term in order to maintain the effects of hair protection and stronger hair growth. Stopping the medication will usually result in the hair loss returning back to the state it was in before treatment.
Hair replacement system
This non-surgical hair loss solution functions by covering your head with a hair replacement system. The replacement is usually a high-end toupee or hairpiece that will be secured to your scalp using a special solution.
The results can be excellent because modern technologies have nearly perfected the art of concealing the system and making the replacement hair appear natural. However, this hair loss solution can take up time because of the maintenance necessary after the replacement procedure. The hairpiece is subject to wear and tear, and needs to be cared for regularly and replaced every few months.
LLLT
Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) treats hair loss by activating cell growth. It is a restoration treatment that uses low-intensity light to increase the metabolic activity of the hair follicle, thus allowing hair to grow thicker and longer.
LLLT can help treats androgenetic alopecia. The most common way to administer LLLT is by using a home-based device a few times per week. However, in-clinic LLLT is also available, but due to the higher power settings, the frequency of treatment would usually be lower i.e. once per week.
Before going for this procedure, it’s best to consult hair restoration professional to understand the chances of you developing these side effects.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a non-surgical hair restoration treatment used for androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss). It works by extracting a plasma suspension with a high concentration of platelets from a sample of your own blood, then injecting this suspension into areas of hair thinning to help stimulate hair growth through various proteins and growth factors. However, this treatment works best when started early, at the first signs of hair loss.You cannot expect to get satisfactory results if you have a large bald spot.
Note: PRP for hair loss is not currently approved for use in Singapore. MOH and HSA approval for PRP here is limited to musculoskeletal indications, and does not extend to hair restoration.
Hair restoration supplements
This is a non-surgical hair restoration treatment for hair loss that is caused by stress and nutrition deficiency.
If you’re considering this option, make sure your tablets for hair restoration are of reputable standing and clinically proven. Hair restoration supplements usually come in many forms.
Most of the supplements on the market will feature biotin, a collagen or amino acid source for hair protein, zinc, and some antioxidants. The more premium supplements will include proprietary, well-researched, high-purity extracts of plants or herbs e.g. saw palmetto, ashwagandha, turmeric.
Before you decide on a supplement, however, it would be best to consult a doctor who can run through its various properties and check its suitability for you.
When should you consider surgical treatments for Alopecia?
All in all, non-surgical hair loss treatments do work well for androgenetic alopecia, but they’re not without their downsides. Not all hair treatments work the same for everyone. The suitability and the outcome of non-surgical hair loss treatments rely on your hair loss stage and its causes, like genes and nutrition. In some cases, you must also be prepared for long-term maintenance and replacement costs. You can consider surgical hair transplant procedures if you are looking for a long-lasting solution.
What is a surgical hair transplant procedure?
Hair transplant surgery that uses modern techniques, such as FUE, is considered a minimally invasive procedure.
Only light sedation is used and the procedure can be done in a specially set up operating room in a medical clinic. Local anaesthesia will be administered by the doctor during the extraction or the implantation phase of the surgery.
You can go home immediately after a surgical hair procedure, and there is no need for long-term bandaging because the scabs that form on the grafted areas will dry up within a day and shed within 7 days.
If you need help deciding between surgical and non-surgical hair transplants in Singapore, get in touch with Terra Medical Clinic today!
Regardless of the reason for your hair loss, choosing between surgical and non-surgical hair transplants in Singapore can be difficult on your own.
Our team of hair restoration experts is ready to equip you with sound advice on your hair restoration journey. Get in touch with us for a consultation.
Call us or drop us a WhatsApp message at 91870470 or e-mail ask@terramedical.sg to schedule a teleconsultation or in-clinic consultation.