Men’s Hair Loss Treatments | Austin, TX

Thinning hair, bald spots, or receding hairline can undermine a man’s self-confidence. At Ruthie Harper, MD, in Austin, TX we are experienced in addressing the many causes of hair loss in men and are committed to creating a program that will restore a full, healthy head of hair.

Because the unique reasons that men lose their hair can be multifactorial and complicated, finding the right treatments for hair loss in men can be difficult. So, it is of utmost importance to contact a doctor who can complete the entire comprehensive hair loss work up in order to diagnose why hair loss has occurred as well as providing the most recent advancements in aesthetic solutions for hair loss such as PRP.

A customized and comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating male hair loss is essential in helping men regain a healthy head of hair. In order to ensure that we correctly determine the best steps to take for your hair loss treatment, we run extensive lab testing to determine your underlying causes for hair loss. Whether the causes for hair loss are permanent, reversible or temporary, there are many hair loss solutions available.

Dr. Ruthie Harper MD evaluates all of the factors that lead to hair loss and then creates a customized hair loss program with an integrated approach that provides you with the most effective hair restoration solution designed just for you.

Men’s Hair Loss
Treatments
Austin, TX

Thinning hair, bald spots, or receding hairline can undermine a man’s self-confidence. At Ruthie Harper, MD, in Austin, TX we are experienced in addressing the many causes of hair loss in men and are committed to creating a program that will restore a full, healthy head of hair.

Because the unique reasons that men lose their hair can be multifactorial and complicated, finding the right treatments for hair loss in men can be difficult. So, it is of utmost importance to contact a doctor who can complete the entire comprehensive hair loss work up in order to diagnose why hair loss has occurred as well as providing the most recent advancements in aesthetic solutions for hair loss such as PRP.

A customized and comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating male hair loss is essential in helping men regain a healthy head of hair. In order to ensure that we correctly determine the best steps to take for your hair loss treatment, we run extensive lab testing to determine your underlying causes for hair loss. Whether the causes for hair loss are permanent, reversible or temporary, there are many hair loss solutions available.

Dr. Ruthie Harper MD evaluates all of the factors that lead to hair loss and then creates a customized hair loss program with an integrated approach that provides you with the most effective hair restoration solution designed just for you.

Male Hair Loss Treatments

Treatments for Men’s Hair Loss

• Topical treatments such as Minoxidil
• Low level light and laser therapy
• Hair transplantation
• Oral medication such as Finasteride (Propecia or Proscar)
• Spironolactone or Aldactone
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
• Microneedling
• A-Cell
• Protein
• Iron
• Vitamin D
• Glutathione
• Zinc
• Biotin
• Defenage Hair Growth Serum

Learn more about treatments for hair loss

Causes of Male Hair Loss

There are a variety of reasons why hair loss can occur in men, including:

Thyroid problems
Autoimmune hair loss
Male pattern hair loss (Androgenetic alopecia)
Fungal infections (Ringworm)
Hormonal shifts
Anemia
Medications
Dieting
Trichotillomania
Cancer treatment
Stress

Men’s Hair Loss Treatments

Androgen Blockers
for Male Hair Loss

Spironolactone Treatment

Spironolactone blocks androgen production that decreases the amount of DHT, the hormone that causes hair follicles to produce thinner, weaker hair follicles. This medication is also commonly used in PCOS where an excess of male hormone may be present. Normal dosages are 50-100 mg and it may take up to 3 months to work. Once the medication has been deemed effective, hair can typically be maintained with a lower dose. Side effects include hyperkalemia, headache, fatigue, menstrual irregularity, and GI bleeding.

A 2015 study (1) found that almost 75 percent of participants with female pattern hair loss noticed an improvement in their hair loss after taking spironolactone.

Finasteride Treatment

Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that blocks DHT. Discontinuation can lead to loss of hair that was gained during therapy. It may take as long as 6 months to notice benefits with this medication. Side effects of Finasteride include sexual dysfunction, decreased libido, chills, cold sweats, confusion, and dizziness. These side effects usually occur with the 5 mg dose, however, the 1 mg treatment does not typically have these.

Treat Scalp with Progesterone

Progesterone blocks androgen production and decreases the amount of DHT, the hormone that weakens hair follicles and leads to thinner, weaker hair follicles.

Cimetidine Solutions

Cimetidine, sold under the brand name Tagamet, belongs to a class of histamine blockers used mainly to treat stomach ulcers. The drug can also block DHT. Cimetidine has been used to treat excess facial hair growth (hirsutism) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in women.
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Stimulate Hair Follicles for Growth (Topical And Oral Medication)

Minoxidil (Rogaine) is approved by the FDA for female pattern hair loss. This topical medication is thought to increase Nitric Oxide (NO). NO causes vasodilation of blood vessels that bring nutrients to the hair follicle.

Additionally, Minoxidil promotes the growth phase of hair (anagen) and shortens the telogen (resting) phase. It can slow or stop hair loss in most women and may help hair grow back in up to a quarter of those who use it. However, the benefits are lost when you stop using it.

A study conducted in 2017 (2) showed that a combination of minoxidil and spironolactone decreased shedding, increased hair growth, and made hair thicker.

Nutritional Supplements for
Male Hair Loss

Based on blood results, nutritional supplements may be in order. These include:

Iron Foods rich in iron include lean red meat, dried fruit, broccoli, egg yolks, lentils, spinach, and chicken.
Vitamin D. Found in salmon, mushrooms, and grains.
Glutathione. This critical antioxidant glutathione is responsible for quenching oxidative stress and calming autoimmune inflammation.
Zinc. This nutrient can be found in foods such as lamb, turkey, pumpkin seeds, and chocolate. Periodic testing for levels of zinc should be done. 30 – 40 mg/day of zinc may be used for at least a 1 year period.
Multivitamins with vitamins A, E, C, B complex, and Omega-3 and 6 EFA’s. A twice-daily dose of a complete multivitamin with the above nutrients should be taken for healthy hair as well as a healthy body. Additionally, B vitamins can be found in foods such as grains, eggs, and avocados.
Biotin. It enhances hair growth, thickens hair fibers, and diminishes shedding. It also plays a role in the overall health of skin and nails. Biotin is commonly found in foods such as egg yolks, liver, rice, and milk.
Melatonin
Gingko (antioxidant)
Saw palmetto (blocks male hormones)
L-lysine
L-arginine

Nutraceuticals

Fortunately, the more we learn about female hair loss, the better we get at creating nutraceuticals that can support healthy hair. A great example of nutraceuticals is the Folliceutical MD blend which contains:

Soluble Keratin (Cytanine)
Polypodium Leucotomos Extracts
Bacillus Coagulans (probiotic)
Turmeric Root
Daily vitamin & mineral complex (Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, calcium, magnesium, zinc)

And it is shown to:

Strengthen hair
Fight free radicals
Improve gut health
Reduce inflammation
Improve wellness

Natural Treatments for
Male Hair Loss

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses injections of the patient’s own platelets which are isolated from the blood during an in-office blood draw. Platelets produce more than 300 active substances which help in numerous bodily functions. PRP helps with hair growth by:

• Promoting telogen to anagen transition
• Prolonging the anagen or hair growth phase
• Neo angiogenesis- formation of new blood supply which brings nourishment to the hair
• Decreasing inflammation which can damage hair follicles and cause hair loss

PRP has been scientifically verified for aesthetic hair applications and has been cleared by the FDA as a 510K Class II medical device for hair loss. This therapy works 95% of the time and lasts from 18 months to 3 years.

In a 2017 study (3) on 19 people with AGA, treatment with PRP increased hair growth and thickness, while decreased hair death and thin hair growth. Moreover, research (4) on 45 men with alopecia areata, showed that PRP increased hair regrowth and decreased hair dystrophy, burning or itching sensation better than TrA (steroid) or placebo.

Finally, in a 2016 study (5), 40 men with hair loss were divided into two groups; a PRP group and a saline-injection hair transplant group. The PRP group had new hair growth at only 8 weeks, more than 75% regrowth at 6 months and higher than 75% graft density. On the contrary, the hair transplant group had <75% graft density and less hair growth.

Microneedling

Microneedling works by:

• Releasing hair growth factors which are increased by platelet activation during the microneedling process
• Stimulating & activating stem cells in the hair bulge area that leads to healthy hair growth
• Targeting multiple pathogenic factors that cause androgenic alopecia
• Overexpressing genes related to hair growth

In a 2015 study (6) on men with AGA, after 15 monthly sessions of microneedling, their hair regrew, the hair density improved by 75% and the hair thickness increased after the 4th week! There was also a sustainable improvement after 18 months of follow up.

Further, in another study (7), 100 men with AGA were split into 2 groups, one taking 5% minoxidil and the second one taking 5% minoxidil plus weekly microneedling sessions. After 12 weeks, the microneedling group had a significantly higher mean hair count (91.4) compared to the minoxidil only group (22.2).

Balancing Hormones

Equally as important are balancing hormones such as:

• Thyroid
• Testosterone

DefenAge 150K Hair Follicle Serum

The DefenAge 150K Hair Follicle Serum works by revitalizing the environment surrounding the hair follicles, creating an optimal ecosystem to help the follicles to flourish. The human scalp contains up to 150,000 hair follicles. The 150K Hair Follicle Serum takes care of all of them. No Follicles Left Behind!

This scalp serum is an excellent cosmeceutical care for the scalp. It pairs an advanced and targeted treatment with an established and validated science to bring you a product that is unlike any other hair restoration product on the market. DefenAge 150K Hair Follicle Serum is based on the natural rejuvenation power of our body. It contains 48 proven natural ingredients, shown clinical efficacy on scalp and hair. All ingredients are infused at their clinical performance concentration.

It is free from drugs and hormones. And it can be combined with Rogaine, minoxidil or any other treatments and procedures if desired. It is also ideal for complementing PRP and microneedling treatments. DefenAge 150K Hair Follicle Serum has been awarded “BEST HAIR GROWTH SERUM” by NewBeauty Magazine.

• 90% fewer signs of hair shedding.
• 67% fuller hair.
• First results in 30 days or sooner.
. . . . . * Clinical study of women and men, ages 39-71. Individual results may vary.
• Renews the look of hair volume, quality, and texture. Improves overall visible hair health.
• Helps reduce signs of shedding and hair falling out.
• Promotes sustainable scalp health and wellness.
• Revives follicle nutrition support, nourishes blood irrigation.
• Revives the natural moisture of the scalp, and hair roots.
• Promotes the scalp barrier and immunity, optimizes the delicate ecology of the scalp.
• Rejuvenates the smoothness of the scalp.
• Minimizes the look of pigmentation and discolorations of the skin under the hair.
• Helps improve the appearance of inflammation and itchiness of the scalp.
• Addresses the appearance of grey hair, and visibly softens the hair color at the roots.