Modern treatments and surgical transplant methods have evolved to the point where it’s now relatively simple to either rejuvenate the scalp to prevent balding, or to repopulate existing bald areas via a safe and affordable hair transplant procedure.
However, the growing popularity of hair loss treatments has also led to a worrying rise in questionable quick fixes.
Here’s everything you need to know to ensure your best chance of success, according to Alvi Armani:
- Avoid the treatment trap
While Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapies are potent under the right circumstances, helping to revitalise follicles and stimulate hair growth, it’s entirely pointless when applied to regions where there are no follicles left.
Consult professional experts if treatment isn’t working to avoid wasting time and money. The longer you wait, the more advanced the hair loss may become and the trickier it is to turn things around.
Do proper research before any consultation, discuss various treatment options with a qualified doctor, and let a professional determine the severity of your hair loss in order to make a more informed decision.
- Consultation and understanding hair loss scales
During the initial consultation at professional clinics, doctors will perform several assessments to gauge hair loss severity and place the patient on a recognised scale. The Norwood-Hamilton scale is most commonly used by clinics worldwide, but has significant limitations, as it was developed with Caucasian men in mind. Ask if the clinic uses any other scale alongside the Norwood-Hamilton, if you are not Caucasian.
Once the assessment is complete, the level of follicle health can be determined and the type of hospital care can be selected accordingly:
General ward: Patients in this category have mild hair loss, and often respond exceptionally well to treatments like PRP, provided there’s sufficient support and lifestyle alignment.
High care: Patients here have moderately weak hair follicles, but can still recover with intensive therapies such as repeated PRP sessions and medication. However, the success rate of improvements is less certain.
ICU: These patients have critically damaged follicles, and in such cases, the situation might not be salvageable through regular treatments. As a result, the most effective option may be hair transplant surgery.
- Setting realistic expectations
Even with top-tier medical interventions, hair restoration is neither instantaneous nor foolproof. While many patients see significant gains, the outcome depends on individual biology, the extent of follicle damage, and consistency of post-treatment care. The best thing you can do to improve your changes of success is consult a reputable clinic the moment you notice your hair thinning.
