Hair Loss Before & After

Think of your hair health like a complex, interlocking Jenga tower: Each block represents an aspect of health, hormones, wellness, environment and habits that contribute to the overall picture. Hair loss could be triggered by any one of them, causing the tower to fall. For a practitioner, the job isn’t just rebuilding the tower, but also determining what piece caused the structure to crumble and why.

“The most important question to answer when faced with hair loss is what is causing the hair loss,” says Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD. “There are so many different causes of hair loss, and it really can only be fully assessed by an expert, like a board-certified dermatologist.”

For patients to get real results, experts require a variety of approaches, from supplements and medications to platelet-rich plasma and FoLix, the first FDA-cleared nonablative laser for hair restoration. And for some, they need surgical solutions like the modern Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant.

Minoxodil Moment

Often, one of the first steps in a journey to restoring hair fullness is with over-the-counter options like Rogaine, which utilize Minoxidil to stimulate blood flow and extend the growing phase of hair.

“Rogaine invented Minoxidil over 38 years ago, and as the only FDA-approved topical treatment on the market, we’ve proudly helped millions of patients see real results in their hair loss journey,” says Director of R&D Global Hair and Scalp at Kenvue, Paul La Terra. “Rogaine also continues to be a beloved and trusted first line treatment by dermatologists and hair experts because of its proven efficacy and safety with clinical testing on over 47,000 people globally. Often hair loss is a difficult and personal experience for many, but we’re aiming to destigmatize it and are proud to be an accessible, trusted partner to help.”

Recent research from Rogaine reveals exactly how emotionally critical a full hairline can be, with 60 percent of men reporting hair loss as one of their biggest fears. Additionally, 48 percent admit to wearing a hat to hide their hairline, demonstrating how closely our hair is tied to our self-confidence.

Real Patient Stories: Treating Hair Loss

Nutrafol

Name: Kim
Age: 28
Treatment: Nutrafol Women’s Hair Growth Nutraceutical ($88)

“For years, I struggled with thinning hair. I was juggling hormone issues, the stress of moving, school and everything in between. And, on top of that, my hair was shedding. My stress levels were through the roof, and eventually, my hair issues started to affect my mental health and self-worth. It felt like I was losing part of my identity.”

How I Chose My Treatment:
“Honestly, I was desperate. I had heard of Nutrafol before, but I was very skeptical. If nothing else had worked, why would this supplement be any different? But after hitting a low point and sobbing to my husband about how hopeless I felt, he encouraged me to just give it a try. I committed to taking it consistently for the recommended three to six months and figured that if nothing changed, at least I could say I tried.

The Results:
“I am so thankful. I know it might sound silly because at the end of the day, it’s just hair, but I truly feel like myself again. It didn’t happen overnight. There were moments when I worried it wasn’t working, but I stayed consistent and patient, and it really paid off.”

FUE Hair Transplant

Name: Mark
Age: 31
Doctors: Palto Alto, CA facial plastic surgeons David Lieberman, MD and Sachin Parikh, MD
Treatment: FUE Hair Transplant

“My hair started thinning in my early 20s, and I started using minoxidil and finasteride to be proactive about my hair loss. I grew my hair out and styled it in ways that hid my hairline and disguised how thin my hair was, and then I began to wear hats to cover it completely. With a lot of big life events on the horizon, like friends’ weddings, graduations and more, I realized I was going to need to find a solution that didn’t involve covering my head.”

How I Chose My Treatment:
“A family member of mine has been a patient of Drs. Lieberman and Parikh for quite some time and recommended them. Dr. Parikh assured me that, though I was young, I’d be happy with my results and the FUE procedure would be successful.”

The Results:
“The procedure was incredibly easy. Despite it being a long day, it was relatively painless! My confidence is back in a way I didn’t think would be possible again. I feel like I’ve aged backwards, and now I look forward to events where I can dress up and style my hair.”

FoLix

Name: Veena
Age: 85
Doctor: Newport Beach, CA plastic surgeon Sanjay Grover, MD
Treatment: FoLix

“I am an 85-years-young Indian woman who is quite active and has taught yoga for more than 20 years. I teach classes and I noticed diffuse hair loss over the past many years, leading to confidence issues in certain yoga poses.”

How I Chose My Treatment:
“Dr. Grover is my son. Because of my age-related hair loss, I decided to be his first patient to undergo a series of five FoLix nonablative laser treatments. His office was offering other services for hair, including injectable PRP and exosome treatments and consumables like oral medications. The thing that’s very nice about the FoLix laser is that there are no needles, no medications, little discomfort and no downtime.”

The Results:
“I recently completed my five laser treatments, and I am very pleased with the improved hair growth I am experiencing. It has given me even more confidence and spirit. Even my hairstylist has inquired as to what I was doing, as she has noticed much better hair growth!”