GROWTH FACTORS AND PDO THREADS FOR HAIR LOSS
Are you looking for a non-surgical hair loss solution? You might be surprised to learn that there are more options available than transplants or a toupee. Some of the more exciting options are Growth Factor Therapy and Polydioxanone (PDO) Threads. If you haven’t heard of these, you’re not alone! Let’s break down what these treatments are and whether or not you would be a good candidate.
What Is Growth Factors Therapy?
Doctors use growth factors to accelerate the healing process in various body parts, including hair loss. This form of therapy is generally used to treat hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia, where the hair follicles have started to shrink and can be coaxed back to life.
Growth factors are found in your blood and are considered your body’s first responders when it comes to injury. They respond to wounds and cuts to stop the bleeding and accelerate healing. Doctors utilize your body’s own healing factors and reinject them in higher concentration into the damaged areas to promote natural healing. This is done by using a centrifuge to spin your blood sample rapidly enough to separate the components from your blood. This contains proteins and growth factors to accelerate tissue repair.
A total of 262 participants were involved in testing growth factor therapy as an option for hair loss restoration. A team of researchers then analyzed these studies in 2019 for their effectiveness and found that a majority of the participants experienced either slowed hair loss or an increase in the density of their hair, indicating hair restoration. A second review, also in 2019, looked at 460 recruits who received this therapy for androgenic alopecia, which also reported hair regrowth in a majority of the participants.
This therapy involves drawing your blood in the morning to allow the doctor to run it through the centrifuge to separate the components. A medical professional then extracts the growth factors using a syringe and injects them into the targeted areas of the scalp. The therapy takes approximately one hour, with several sessions recommended to achieve optimum results. After the treatment session, you can typically return to your daily activities without limitations.
What Are Polydioxanone (PDO) Threads?
PDO is a synthetic suture material that absorbs into the body slowly and stimulates collagen production, new blood vessel formation, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, along with fibroblasts. All of these trigger the body to repair and regenerate, including hair follicles.
PDO thread treatment appears similar to microneedling, releasing growth factor (PDGF) and activating cells to stimulate growth and repair. Patients, who received facelifts using PDO thread, experienced increased facial hair growth in the treated area. A small study of men receiving PDO thread treatment for androgenic alopecia demonstrated that at 12 weeks, all of the patients had noticeable increases in hair counts.
Monofilament PDO threads have also treated female androgenetic alopecia with similar results. Areas treated have included the crown and hairline along the temple area, each showing visual improvement within 12 weeks of treatment. A PDO thread treatment generally lasts for six to 12 months, which is how long it takes the body to break down the threads.
Who Is a Good Candidate For Growth Factor Therapy or PDO Threads?
Both therapies require potential candidates to have hair follicles. Neither of these treatments causes the scalp to grow new strands. Instead, they promote the growth and repair of shrinking follicles, stimulating new hair growth. Potential candidates should have their vellus hair, terminal hair, and miniaturized or intermediate hair density evaluated in each zone of their scalp to determine whether or not they have hair follicles to rejuvenate. Miniaturized and intermediate hair is the most receptive to these treatments, meaning that candidates with high numbers of weak hairs should respond positively to treatment.When you’re ready to explore hair restoration options, reach out to the experts at Maxim Hair Restoration. Maxim offers a variety of options, including hair transplants as well as the options above. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have or get you set up for a free consultation where we can discuss treatment options, fees, and financing options.
