Hair loss is the main problem that bothers every individual around the world, and many solutions have been created for many years to deal with it. In 2024, the debate between hair transplants and other hair restoration methods continues. Advanced medical science treatments and increased demand for permanent results make hair transplantation a top choice among them. We reached out to Dr BL Jangid, Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon, SkinQure Clinic, Delhi, who explained why hair transplants are favoured and how other treatments fit into the picture.
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The Case for Hair Transplants
According to StatPearls, hair transplantation using follicular-unit grafting is the preferred surgical option for individuals with certain types of alopecia seeking hair restoration. This technique helps achieve a fuller and more natural-looking head of hair.
Hair transplantation is a surgical means of hair restoration that has, over time, been recognised as one of the surest ways to deal with hair loss of a high magnitude. “The procedure has undergone refinements in techniques like Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) over the years, turning it into a minimally invasive procedure with quicker recovery times and more natural-looking results,” said Dr Jangid.
In 2024, hair transplantation was more in the limelight since it gave permanent results in cases of severe hair loss and genetic disorders, such as androgenic alopecia. The uniqueness of hair transplantation is that it reassigns healthy follicles to a region that has no growth, with the assurance of continued growth. This treatment has gained popularity with people seeking a life-changing and permanent solution as the success rates began to improve.
Alternative Emerging Trends in Hair Restoration
While hair transplantation has a big plus in advanced cases of hair loss, other treatments have gained popularity in recent times, especially among early stages of hair thinning and non-surgical candidates. These options are designed to meet different needs, making it easier to address hair loss in various ways. Here are some emerging trends listed by Dr Jangid:
PRP Therapy: It is a new and advanced treatment that uses the patient’s own blood. Platelets are taken from the blood, prepared, and then injected into the scalp to help hair grow. PRP has gained trust because, with its regenerative function, it provides enhancements in improved hair density and overall health of the scalp.
GFC Therapy: An advanced level of PRP, it prepares growth factors from the patient's blood to provide very accurate stimulation to hair follicles. One of the main reasons this method results in better quality and quantity of hairs is its precision.
LLLT: Itstands for Low-Level Laser Therapy and refers to the medical, non-invasive, pain-free treatment in which laser light is utilised to promote the new growth of hair follicles while encouraging blood circulation around the scalp. This therapy works to the best effect in individuals who just exhibit the beginnings of balding.
Mesotherapy: This is a non-invasive treatment that administers a cocktail of vitamins, nutrients, and growth factors right into the scalp to rejuvenate hair follicles and encourage regrowth. According to a 2023 study, a key benefit of mesotherapy is that it delivers the therapeutic agent directly into the skin, bypassing the barriers typically encountered by topical treatments. This targeted approach enhances the agent's bioavailability by prolonging its residence time at the injection site and ensuring its direct presence in the intended area.
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Stem Cell Therapy: This is an entirely new frontier in hair restoration, whereby regenerative cells are utilised to trigger latent follicles and stimulate the growth of new hair. According to a 2022 study, stem cells are primarily defined by their ability to self-renew through rapid symmetrical division, their plasticity, which allows them to differentiate into various cell types of the organism via asymmetrical division, and their clonality, as they originate from the same clone.
“While these options are promising, their success is usually limited by the degree of hair loss and the patient's response to the treatment. Hair transplantation, however, offers a permanent solution to the victims of severe baldness. They get to the root cause of hair loss by moving the viable follicles, ensuring sustainability and consistency not matched by other methods,” explained Dr Jangid.
Bottomline
Dr Jangid concluded, “The best way to restore hair often includes combining treatments that a certified dermatologist or hair transplant surgeoncan only guide after reviewing your hair condition. Early treatments like PRP or GFC can be paired with surgery to get better results and keep the scalp healthy. Talking to a skilled dermatologist helps create a plan that fits each person’s needs and goals.”
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]