- Who is a candidate for hair restoration procedures?
- What can you expect from a procedure?
- When should you have a procedure?
- Why pursue a procedure?
- Non-Surgical Hair Transplant
- PRP Procedures for Hair Loss
- Micropigmentation for Hair Loss
- Medications & Topicals for Hair Restoration
- Light Therapy for Hair Loss
The Skinny
Hair loss is a frustratingly common concern for both men and women. Millions of Americans experience undesirable hair loss due to genetic conditions, medications, hormonal imbalances, stress, weight loss, and even inappropriate hair care (learn more in our complete guide to Hair Loss Concerns). Fortunately, numerous non-surgical treatments exist to promote hair growth and restore damaged hair follicles from the comfort of your own home.
The Specifics
Who might consider non-surgical hair restoration treatments?
Hair loss (especially male pattern baldness) is not just a concern for aging men. Young men and women of all ages can experience hair loss. Genetic conditions, medical pathologies, pregnancy, stress, weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and poor personal hair care can all be underlying hair loss.The Anatomy of a Hair Follicle
Hair loss is also not relegated to the scalp. Although, scalp hair loss can cause bald spots, and result in the appearance of a thinning or receding hairline. This is a common concern for many men, but can also be seen in women. Undesirable hair loss may additionally present on the face-typically the beard area for men, and eyebrows for both men and women. In many cases, body hair loss can be indicative of underlying medical pathology and should be addressed with a medical professional.
What can you expect from non-surgical hair restoration treatments?
As the name 'non-surgical' implies, these treatments are generally minimally invasive and have little to no recovery time making them attractive options for many candidates. As an added bonus, they can be performed in your own home. Results are typically temporary and require maintenance, but can be seen in as little as three months with consistent use.When should you consider a non-surgical hair restoration?
Ideally, non-surgical hair restoration procedures should be started as early in the hair loss process as possible to maximize potential for regeneration and minimize existing damage. Considerations need to be made for underlying medical issues, potential drug interactions, and ability to commit to daily treatments.Why should you consider a non-surgical hair restoration?
While the results of non-surgical hair restoration may not be as fast or permanent as surgical options (you can also check out our guide to Surgical Hair Restoration Solutions), they are less invasive, have minimal or no recovery, and can often be performed at home.Non-Surgical Restoration
Medications, topical treatments, and light therapy treatments can all be performed safely and effectively from the comfort of your home. These treatments have little to no recovery time and minimal side effects. With regular use, results can be seen in weeks to monthst.
Non-Surgical Hair Transplant
- ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant
- Overview: ARTAS is a completely automated procedure that is highly efficient and precise.
- Cost: $6,900 - $18,000
- Recovery & Results: Permanent procedure. Mild swelling and discomfort post op. Avoid strenuous exercise and hair care for about 10 days.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
- Platelet-Rich Plasma for Hair Loss (PRP)
- Overview: Blood is collected from the patient and centrifuged to collect the needed components which are then injected into the scalp.
- Cost: $1,500 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: The scalp may temporarily feel tight. Patients should limit sun for two days. Results are temporary and generally need eight month maintenance.
- Nanofat and PRP Injections for Hair Loss
- Overview: Nanofat increases follicle cell proliferation and PRP helps aid growth.
- Cost: $1,000 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Recovery is generally a few days and results are temporary.
- ACell and PRP Injections for Hair Loss
- Overview: Acell is a solution with regenerative properties which can be combined with PRP to promote longer lasting results.
- Cost: $3,500 - $5,000
- Recovery & Results: Temporary results with about two days of recovery.
Micropigmentation
- Scalp Micropigmentation - Overview: Like microblading, this tattoo procedure uses micro-pigment (permanent makeup) to color the scalp and create a thicker, denser, and more evenly distributed hair appearance. - Cost: $350 - $3,500 (learn more in our guide to scalp micropigmentation cost) - Recovery & Results: Results are permanent after initial treatments, though maintenance touch ups are usually needed around once a year.Oral & Topical Medication
- Finasteride (Propecia)
- Overview: A once daily pill that decreases androgen (hormone) production.
- Cost: $10 - $60
- Recovery & Results: There is no recovery time. Results are generally seen within three to six months of regular use.
- Dutasteride (Avodart)
- Overview: An oral medication to alter androgen production.
- Cost: $15 - $210
- Recovery & Results: No recovery time. Results usually seen after about three months of consistent use.
- Tofacitnib (Xeljanz)
- Overview: Twice daily medication that is a good choice for patients with hair loss secondary to alopecia areata by modulating cell function.
- Cost: $4,000 - $4,300
- Recovery & Results: No special measures when taking. Results seen within three months of consistent use.
- Minoxidil (Rogaine)
- Overview: An over the counter topical medication that repairs damaged hair follicles.
- Cost: $15 - $30
- Recovery & Results: Results usually seen within six months of consistent use.
At-Home Light Therapy
- Theradome
- Overview: An at home helmet treatment that stimulates blood supply to the scalp.
- Cost: $895
- Recovery & Results: No recovery time. Temporary results begin within one month and improve over about a year.
- Capillus®
- Overview: A baseball cap like system that uses laser therapy to promote blood flow.
- Cost: $900 - $3,000 (learn more in our guide to Capillus® cost)
- Recovery & Results: Daily use for up to about 30 minutes that begins to show results within about three months which continue to improve over a year.
- TriGen+
- Overview: A three step procedure starting with PRP injection, and then home use of LLLT and topicals.
- Cost: $4,000 - $12,000
- Recovery & Results: Temporary results begin within three months and optimize within a year. Recovery for PRP is outlined above.
- iGrow
- Overview: Daily laser/LED treatment via a headpiece. Good choice for post transplant patients as the system does not touch the scalp.
- Cost: $399
- Recovery & Results: Results noticeable within three to six months. No recovery time after sessions.
- iRestore
- Overview: At home laser/LED treatment system.
- Cost: $695
- Recovery & Results: Daily treatments with results in about six months. No recovery time.
The Takeaway
Experiencing hair loss can be both disappointing and embarrassing. Late night infomercials and magazine ads tout multiple home hair loss products to restore your luscious locks. These solutions are not be the safest choice for your hair, but there are numerous tried-and-trusted hair restoration procedures to promote hair regrowth, healthy hair follicles, and correct thinning hair. Hair transplantation via strip harvesting (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE) are invasive procedures to correct hair loss, but non-invasive hair loss treatments can be similarly effective with minimal side effects. New hair and increased hair density can be yours — no hair plugs required.
To learn more about our content creation practices, visit our Editorial Process page.
