Understanding Your Hair Loss Treatment Options

Individuals who experience hair loss such as androgenetic alopecia have several alternatives to manage this condition. Our practice uses grafts (follicular unit extraction and transplantation) in combination with medical treatments. Our methods are safe, produce maximum aesthetic results, and are of reasonable cost. Another option is to do nothing and accept the baldness. The major advantage to this approach is avoiding the time commitment, inconvenience, and expense of pursuing all other treatment alternatives. However, if you don't want to accept the baldness, you can choose from a wide range of hair loss treatment options at our facilities in Manhattan, NYC, and communities throughout greater NYC.

Video: What Are the Alternatives?

Dr. Dorin answers the question: "Are there alternatives to hair transplantation?"

Hair Loss Treatment Options

We offer a number of hair restoration options, including FUE, FUT, beard transplant, eyebrow restoration, hairline design, stem cell therapy, and bio enhanced hair transplant. Patients might also be considering scalp micropigmentation, special types of shampoo for hair loss, or the Capillus Laser Cap. Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments:

 

ALTERNATIVE

DESCRIPTION

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Hairpiece, such as wigs and toupees

  • Various types of attachments to hair and scalp to cover bald area
  • Quick Solution
  • Greatest density
  • Non-surgical
  • High maintenance and cost
  • Destructive to underlying hair and often appears artificial

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

  • Topical solution applied once or twice daily to scalp
  • FDA approved
  • Over the counter
  • Low Cost
  • Can be effective in slowing hair loss progression
  • Used daily and indefinitely
  • Re-growth rare and usually vellus hair only
  • Most effective in early balding stages
  • Application may be messy

Finasteride (Propecia,Finpecia)

  • Daily prescription pill that blocks 5 Alpha Reductase (DHT)
  • No messy application
  • Most effective in stabilizing hair loss and regrowing hair
  • Effective for all balding patterns
  • More expensive
  • Used daily and indefinitely
  • Potential effects on breasts, genitals, pregnancy

Low-level laser therapy

  • Light therapy applied to the scalp
  • May increase the thickness of hair shafts
  • Requires ongoing applications
  • Does not stop or reverse hair loss
  • Does not improve post hair transplant healing or growth

Laser grafting

  • Graft receptor sites are made with laser
  • Donor site is harvested conventionally
  • Claims of better healing and more natural appearance although not in fact demonstrated
  • Scars to scalp
  •  Poor yield and stunted hair produces low density
  • Possible scarring under the skin

Micropigmentation

  • Specialized tattoo technique that simulates hair look
  • Non-surgical
  • Overcomes inadequate donor supply
  • Best for shaved head look
  • Does not grow hair
  • Does not turn gray
  • Limited color range

FUT (True & Dorin Strip Procedure)

  • Superficial layer of donor-bearing skin removed
  • 1-4 hair follicular unit skin grafts microscopically prepared
  • Receptor sites created with tiny customized micro-scalpels
     
  • Allows for optimal amount of grafts to be done in one session
  • Grafts cost less than with FUE
  • Uniform distribution and density
  • Best scalp healing
  • Good in thinning areas
  • Partial restorations look natural
  • Allows creative hairline design
  • Moderate discomfort in the donor area in post-operative period 
  • Sutures must be removed after 10 days
  • Thin linear donor scar will show if head is shaved

FUE (True & Dorin Extraction Procedure)


 
  • Rapid proprietary motorized system for extracting intact follicular unit grafts one by one
  • 1-4 hair follicular unit skin grafts microscopically prepared
  • Receptor sites created with tiny customized micro-scalpels
  • No sutures
  • Minimal discomfort
  • Tiny non-linear pinpoint scars
  • Uniform distribution and density
  • Best scalp healing
  • Good in thinning areas
  • Partial restorations look natural
  • Allows creative hairline design
  • Less grafts can be done per treatment
  • More treatments may be needed
  • Yield may be less than with FUT
  • More expensive
     

ARTAS

  • Computer assisted robotic follicular extraction system
  • Faster than non-motorized systems
  • Replaces direct extraction by the doctor
  • Highly accurate
  • Slower than True and Dorin FUE
  • Graft bases have denuded follicles
  • Donor must be shaved for procedure
  • Scalp donor only

NeoGraft

  • Automated device that uses suction to assist in follicular extraction and placement
  • Same as FUE
  • Speeds up extraction process over non-motorized system
  • Being used by unlicensed technicians in non-hair restoration practices
  • Not effective for graft placement
  • Risk of graft dehydration

Punch Grafts

  • Transplanting non-follicular unit skin grafts containing 5 to 20 hairs
  • Most specialists believe there aren't any
  • A small minority believe they create the highest density of all hair transplants because bald scalp is removed
  • Classic "tooth brush/plug" appearance with risk of increased scarring and cobblestoning
  • Wastes donor follicles
  • Difficult to do with thinning hair

Scalp Extension

  • Two step surgical procedure using an implanted extension device
  • Removal of large area in one month
  • Device does not show
  • Risk of infection and stretching back
  • More discomfort, more expensive

Scalp Expansion

  • Silicone balloon inserted under scalp and expanded with saline injections over several weeks
  • Very large areas of scalp can be removed
  • Risk of infection
  • Deforms appearance
  • More discomfort, more expensive

Scalp Lift

  • Extensive surgical procedure with entire scalp moved
  • Elimination of most baldness in a single procedure, but must create hairline with 2-4 transplant procedures
  • General anesthesia
  • Prolonged discomfort
  • Permanent scalp numbness
  • Risk of hair follicles dying

Transposition Flaps

  • Various methods of rotating a section of scalp from the side to the top of the head
  • Achieves greatest density of frontal zone
  • Quicker result
  • Hair facing backwards, scar on edge of hairline mist be hidden with the use of transplantation
  • Risk of hair follicles dying
  • Does not cover crown

Video: Types of Hair Transplants

There are two main types of hair transplants: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). For many patients at True & Dorin, a combination of these methods will be recommended.

Learn More about Hair Loss Treatment

To learn more about hair loss treatment, please contact True & Dorin at any of our Manhattan and greater NYC locations. Dr. True and Dr. Dorin can meet with you to discuss your ideal solution to thinning hair.

Actual Patient Results

Dr. Dorin

The Hair Loss Doctors
By Robert J. Dorin

At The Hair Loss Doctors with our Surgical Headquarters in Garden City, NY and clinics in Manhattan, NY; Boston, MA; and Short Hills, NJ, Dr. Robert J. Dorin helps men and women reverse the effects of hair loss through various surgical and non-surgical treatments including Follicular Unit Transplantation and Follicular Unit Extraction. Our Founder & Medical Director is affiliated with:

  • The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
  • The American Board of Restoration Surgery
  • The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons
  • The American Osteopathic Association

For more information, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us online or call (212) 826-2525.

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