Today there are more options than ever to help you regrow your hair fuller and thicker than ever before! But how do you know which treatments actually work, and which are just false claims and scams? This page breaks down the science behind which treatments actually help restore hair and the science behind how they work. To learn more about why you might be experiencing hair loss or thinning, please visit our Hair Loss / Thinning Page.
Hair Loss Treatment Quick Facts
- Minimally invasive or non-invasive treatment options
- At-home and in-office treatments
- Learn which treatments really work
- Natural-looking results
Today’s Best Options For Hair Restoration
There are a lot of hair growth remedies on the market, including some creams, oils, combs, and even LED caps, which have shaky science (if any) behind them. As members of the American Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, we take the science of hair growth very seriously. The treatments listed below are clinically proven to provide real results which is why they are recommended to our patients:
Injections For Hair Regrowth
Injections have gained a lot of popularity over the past couple of years as a treatment for hair loss. What’s great about this is that there is some really good, hard science behind this treatment that proves it is very effective, in addition to it being an easy and affordable procedure with no real downtime.
What patients love most about this treatment is that it allows them to regrow hair naturally using nothing but the healing and growth potential of their own bodies, harnessed in a targeted way, to benefit their hairline. This is a procedure through which we isolate and concentrate the growth and healing factors from your own blood (platelets) and then inject them into your scalp. The effects are twofold: it not only stimulates the growth of new and dormant follicles but also increases the diameter of hair in the treated area, giving the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. Results are all your own, and thus, completely natural.
Microfat Therapy For Hair
Microfat, sometimes also referred to as “micronized fat”, is a procedure that harnesses the ADSC (adipose-derived stem cells)from your own excess fat stores in your midsection, and uses them to stimulate the growth of new cells, or in this case, new hair growth. Very little fat is needed for this procedure, and unlike a fat transfer, we’re not adding volume with this procedure. Microfat is performed using only local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, and most of our patients go to work the next day.
The difference between Microfat and hair growth injections is that Microfat makes use of the best stores of ADSC in the adult body, your excess belly fat (or love handle fat), whereas hair growth injections can only provide help in the body’s recovery process and don’t provide the exact cells that will become new hair. This usually means the result is more significant with a single session of Microfat than it is with 1 session of hair growth injections.
Microneedling For Hair Growth
Microneedling has been used for thousands of years to stimulate the skin to remodel and restore itself. For the scalp, this helps to stimulate a bigger response by the body, which leads to more activation of dormant follicles and a greater regrowth of hair. Microneedling is sometimes used to help hair growth injections or Microfat penetrate the scalp, but we are big advocates of injecting these products deep into the scalp, in addition to microneedling, for more comprehensive results.
Laser Therapy For Hair Growth
Lasercap® is a low-laser light therapy device that’s worn for 30 minutes 3 times per week, with results starting to be noticeable within about 12 weeks. This is the same low-level laser red light we use in our practice to promote healing and growth. LaserCap is only available from authorized physicians for patients who meet candidacy requirements. To find out if you are eligible, please contact us for a free consultation.
Hair Transplantation Surgery
Hair transplant surgery (also known as hair replacement surgery) can be very effective at camouflaging areas of baldness but is typically only recommended for those with the most severe forms of hair loss because it is a surgical procedure that does have significant downtime, can leave behind visible scars, has some risks associated with it, is typically more expensive, and the results aren’t always long-lasting.
The results of hair transplants often appear to diminish over time because, while the transplanted hair may survive, the surrounding hair has already been shown to be predisposed to thinning and follicle death, making the treated area appear to thin over time unless proper preventative measures are taken. We typically recommend those who undergo hair transplant surgeries also be seen on a regular basis for maintenance care in the form of vitamins, supplements, prescription medications, and/or hair growth injections for the best and longest-lasting results.
Topical And Oral Prescription Medications
What we have found, and what science backs up, is that the medications (as well as the supplements listed below) are often limited in capability when used alone. They need to be combined with other treatments, such as hair growth injections with Microfat and/or hair transplantation surgery to have the best results.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil, also branded as Rogaine, is a topical medication that comes in 2% and 5% strengths in the marketplace. The 5% strength is much more effective. It sometimes gets a bad rap because it is greasy in the formulas you’ll find most commonly and because about 30% of patients will have an allergic reaction to these formulas. When you talk about applying a greasy, itchy product to your scalp twice a day, you can imagine why even those patients who have the best of intentions don’t usually end up being all that consistent with this medication. That’s why we’ve had a special formula for this product made just for our patients, called 82M Minoxidil. It’s much less greasy and doesn’t seem to cause allergic reactions in nearly as many people. If you’re interested in this product, you will need to be seen for a free evaluation for medical clearance by our physicians first.
Finasteride
Finasteride (Propecia) is an androgen blocker that seeks to rebalance hormones that cause hair loss. It has a well-studied ability to prevent future hair loss and increase the number of hairs in areas of balding8. Unfortunately, the drug spikes fear in the hearts of men because 3.8 percent of men on Propecia reported one or more adverse sexual consequences, including low libido or erectile dysfunction. In studies, 80 percent of men taking Finasteride 1mg preserved their original hair follicle counts and 64 percent experienced some regrowth after two years of continued use.
It is important to maintain a strict regimen and take both of these medications on time, as prescribed. If you stop taking your medication, you will lose its positive effects.2,3
Medical-Grade Products For Hair Regrowth: Vitamins & Supplements
Unfortunately, there are a lot of supplements, shampoos, and creams that claim to help with hair loss but have no clinical evidence to support their claims. These three are backed by clinical evidence and in our practice, we find them to be highly effective, especially when used in combination with other treatments and as part of the long-term maintenance plan for patients who have already undergone hair restoration treatments.
Supplements
Nutrafol is a new supplement with some exciting clinical results. A new study that came out in May 2018 shows amazing results3:
- 81% saw improvement in hair growth
- 77% saw noticeable growth of new hair
- 81% saw improvement in hair thickness
Viviscal Pro is backed by over 20 years of clinical research and contains vital nutrients essential for healthy hair growth. A less potent version of Viviscal called Viviscal Extra Strength is available over the counter but Viviscal Pro is only available in approved clinical environments, such as doctors’ offices. Viviscal Professional contains more of the groundbreaking, proprietary marine complex AminoMar® than Viviscal Extra Strength. Viviscal Professional also contains apple extract, L-Cysteine, and L-Methionine, three ingredients not found in any other Viviscal product. In studies, women with thinning hair showed a 50% increase in normal hair (as opposed to vellus or baby hair) over three months7. Nutrafol and Viviscal Pro are both available for purchase at our practice.
Hair Regrowth Shampoo
Ketoconazole, (Nizoral) shampoo, is available over-the-counter at most supermarkets and big box stores. Just be sure to check the strength, as some formulas are weaker than others. It is not yet FDA-approved to treat hair loss because it was originally developed to treat fungus and yeast infections. Now that the drug has become available widely (and cheaply), there is little money to be made from a new FDA clearance (something that is very expensive to obtain). But new studies do suggest that Ketoconazole both effectively treats the Pityriasis (also called Malassezia) fungus that commonly inhabits the scalp4, and reduces the androgen hormones that are responsible for hair loss in men (no studies have been done on women thus far)4.
| Treatment | Cost | When to See Results | Downtime / Invasiveness | How it Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vitamins & Supplements (viviscal Pro, Nutrafol) |
$88 - 160 Per Bottle (Available at Our Office) | Subtle Results Start to Appear After a Few Months of Consistent Use | No Downtime, Not Invasive at All | Supplements the Injectable Treatment Regimen to Enhance the Results |
Medicines: Topical Rx, Shampoos, Etc.(finasteride(propecea) , 82m Minoxidil, Ketoconazole, (nizoral)) |
Varies, Depending Upon Your Insurance Coverage and Pharmacy Pricing | Typically Notice Less Hair Shedding Over a Few Months | No Downtime, Not Invasive at All | Either as Stand Alone Therapy or in Combination With Injectable Treatment Regimens Which Have Much Better Results |
Hair Growth Injections (concentrated Platelet) and Microneedling |
$975 Per Session, Performed Monthly, for Minimum 3 Months | Results Become Evident Between 3-6 Months After 1st Injection Session, and Level of Results Is Dependent Upon How Many Sessions and At-home Follow-up | Blood Draw, Plus Injections and Microneedling in Scalp Will Leave Scalp Red for the Evening; Back to Work and Social Functions Within 24 Hours | Use Your Own Blood's Platelets to Improve the Health of F Hair Follicles, to Grow Your Own Hair Back Fuller and Thicker Than Before |
Hair Growth Injections (concentrated Platelet Collagen-based Cellular Scaffolding) and Microneedling |
$2,700 Per One Session Course | Results Become Evident Between 3-6 Months After 1st Injection Session, and Level of Results Is Dependent Upon How Many Sessions and At-home Follow-up | Blood Draw, Plus Injections and Microneedling in Scalp Will Leave Scalp Red for the Evening; Back to Work and Social Functions Within 24 Hours | Use Your Own Blood's Platelets Along With Extra-cellular Matrices to Improve the Health of Hair Follicles, to Grow Your Own Hair Back Fuller and Thicker Than Before |
Hair Growth Injections (concentrated Platelet, Micro-fat, and Collagen-based Cellular Scaffolding) and Microneedling |
$5,000 Per One Session Course | Results 3-6 Months After Single Session | Liposuction for Fat, Blood Draw, Plus Injections and Microneedling in Scalp Will Leave Scalp Red for the Evening; Back to Work and Social Functions Within 24 Hours | Use Your Own Fat and Blood Along With Extra-cellular Matrices to Improve the Health of Hair Follicles, to Grow Your Own Hair Back Fuller and Thicker Than Before |
View More Before & After Images
More Before & Afters
Why Choose Reflections
For Hair Restoration?
The following video features Dr. Mitchell Chasin discussing who should consider which treatment for their hair loss symptoms. It’s important to remember that being an informed consumer is good but cannot replace the consultation and recommendation of an experienced physician.
Choosing a Proper Treatment Plan
The amount of hair loss or thinning an individual has already experienced plays a key role in determining which of these treatments might be suitable to not only provide a result but to provide a result the patient will be happy with. This is why we do offer free one-on-one consultations with our cosmetic physicians so that they can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your care.
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Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions About Hair Restoration
- How do hair regrowth treatments work?
Hair restoration treatments work in these 4 ways:
- Helps wake up hair follicles that haven’t been producing hair, and get them to start growing hair again
- Thickens individual hair follicles that have grown thin and smaller (more like peach fuzz) over time
- Provides the building blocks for hair growth (the right nutrients for hair to grow)
- Block bad hormones or other chemical imbalances that are inhibiting hair growth
- Hair is transplanted from areas of thicker growth into areas of sparser growth, to create more coverage where it’s needed
Some treatments do only 1 of these things, or just a few, but none do all. Since most patients have more than 1 of these problems, hair regrowth plans typically combine more than treatment. Depending upon your needs, your cosmetic physician at Reflections will give you a set of recommendations to ensure you’re getting the very best results.
- How much does hair restoration cost in NJ?
Because we recommend a combination of the treatments listed above for each patient, and the way we combine these does vary quite a bit, it’s impossible to give an accurate cost estimate for any individual without having the doctor review your medical history and examine you. What we can tell you is that on average, patients can expect to spend around $2600 – 4000 for the initial treatment series, and then reduced costs long-term to maintain results. This can be financed.
- How do I know which type of treatment is right for me?
That’s a complex question and one that’s honestly best left up to a physician who can properly diagnose the underlying cause(s) of your hair loss and then pick the right treatment options for you. We do offer free consultations with our physicians for this treatment because we believe every patient deserves the information they need to make an informed decision about their care.
- What about shampoos, pills, and over-the-counter products for hair regrowth?
There are some good over-the-counter products but the majority of products being marketed for this are not proven to be effective and they’re pretty expensive. So let’s cover the ones we believe are worthwhile:
- Nutrafol and Viviscal vitamins
- Formula 82M Minoxidil or 5% Minoxidil
It’s important to note that these products need to be used along with hair growth injections to have the kind of noticeable effect most patients are looking for (vs. simply preserving what hair remains).
- Does Biotin work for hair regrowth?
Biotin provides the proper building blocks for hair, as do other vitamins, but unless you stimulate the growth of the hair follicles and reduce the hormones that are preventing them from growing, these nutritional building blocks won’t be put to good use by the body.
- Will I have to continue treating my hair loss forever? Is there a cure for hair loss?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for hair loss but the treatments to slow hair loss and regrow hair do work! Perhaps in the future new treatments will come about that solve the issue permanently, but the current treatment options do require at least some maintenance over time to ensure your results continue. The sooner you fight hair loss with injectable solutions, the more effective the treatment, the better the ultimate prognosis, and the happier you will be.
- What causes hair loss?
Baldness is a term mostly used for excessive hair loss from the scalp. Hair loss could affect just the scalp or your entire body and can result from several factors including genetics, hormonal changes, medication, or a medical condition. Since hair loss is caused by different reasons, the remedies are also varied. Hair loss could be gradual or sudden and some of it is merely temporary while some kinds of hair loss can be permanent.
The most common kind of hair loss begins with gradual thinning at the top and it could affect both men and women of any age. In the case of men, this begins at the forehead and follows the pattern of the letter “M”; hair restoration for men helps with hair growth in these areas as well as at the crown. Hair restoration for women employs a different technique since women have different symptoms. They retain their hairline and instead suffer from broadening or gaps within the hair.
- How to stimulate hair growth?
“What actually works?” is the most common question we get about hair growth treatments, and the problem is that question is not unwarranted – there are lots of scams out there when it comes to hair loss treatments. The procedures we list on this page are backed by peer-reviewed clinical studies. We’ve even listed those studies at the bottom of this page because we believe everyone has a right to the knowledge they need in order to make informed decisions about their treatments and care.
- How much do hair growth injections cost?
Hair growth injections cost about $975 to $3,000 (or more) for each treatment at our New Jersey offices. Your individual treatment plan and exact price quote will be drawn up as part of the free consultation with one of our cosmetic physicians. Our doctors require an in-person examination prior to finalizing your treatment plan, and thus your price quote, but this is a free appointment because we believe you deserve the information you need in order to make an informed decision about your cosmetic treatments.
- How can I prevent hair loss?
Hair loss occurs on a continuum. For some people, hair only thins (this is very common for females), and for others, areas of complete baldness will occur if left untreated. If you are already experiencing baldness, hair transplant surgery may be your only option, at least for those areas with no active follicles remaining.
For those with thinning, there are several things that you can do to stop the loss of more hair follicles and to even help you regrow the ones you’ve lost. Those are the treatments discussed above, which are nonsurgical, and are mostly focused on lasers, microneedling, injections, medications, and supplements.
Those who have only seen mild hair thinning might want to start with just medications, supplements, Lasercap, and/or microneedling. These are the least expensive and least invasive treatments, and really can go a long way towards preventing continued hair loss.
- How many hair growth injections are needed for hair growth?
Each individual patient will have a different treatment plan created by their doctor at Reflections Center. The treatment will vary depending on the needs of the patient and how much thinning of the hair has taken place. For most people, there are only three treatments done during a four-to-six-week period. We find this number decreases to just 1 or 2 sessions when certain additions are made to the injections.
All patients will need to commit to maintenance treatments. For some, that will mean an injection session every year or two but for others, it will mean more frequency and consistency. Typically, those who are willing to do more daily at-home maintenance (Lasercap, medications, supplements) can avoid having injections as frequently.
- How effective is hair growth injection treatment for hair growth?
Hair growth injections have undergone numerous clinical studies over the past decades. One study found a significant reduction in hair loss over the span of four injection treatments, increasing the hair count from an average of 71 hair follicular units to 93. This was performed over the course of almost three months with regular treatments every two weeks.
Sources:
- Cohen, Bernard M.D.; The Cross-section Trichometer: A New Device for Measuring Hair Quantity, Hair Loss, and Hair Growth Published in Dermatologic Surgery Journal; Volume34, Issue7, July 2008, Pages 900-911
- Kaufman KD, Olsen EA, Whiting D, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;39(4 pt 1):578–589.
- Olsen EA, Weiner MS. Topical minoxidil in male pattern baldness: effects of discontinuation of treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1987;17(1):97–101.
- G. Alon, MD; FAAD, S. Kogan, MD; A 6-Month, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Nutrafol Nutraceutical to Promote Hair Growth in Women; Journal Of Drugs In Dermatology: Volume 17, Issue 5, May 2018
- A. W. Rafi and R. M. Katz; Pilot Study of 15 Patients Receiving a New Treatment Regimen for Androgenic Alopecia: The Effects of Atopy on AGA ISRN Dermatol. 2011; 2011: 241953. Published online 2011 Apr 11. doi: 10.5402/2011/241953
- Piérard-Franchimont C1, De Doncker P, Cauwenbergh G, Piérard GE.; Ketoconazole shampoo: effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia. Dermatology. 1998;196(4):474-7.
- Viviscal Studies
- eyden J, Dunlap F, Miller B, Winters P, Lebwohl M, Hecker D, Kraus S, Baldwin H, Shalita A, Draelos Z, Markou M, Thiboutot D, Rapaport M, Kang S, Kelly T, Pariser D, Webster G, Hordinsky M, Rietschel R, Katz HI, Terranella L, Best S, Round E, Waldstreicher J.Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss.J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999 Jun;40(6 Pt 1):930-7.
Dr. Mitchell Chasin is a Cosmetic & Laser Physician at Reflections Center. Dr. Chasin believes strongly that the best cosmetic physicians are those who are dedicated to mastering their craft through continuing education and collaboration with the industry’s top doctors.
