Advanced treatment for hair loss

Thinning hair can strike a blow to one’s self-esteem, whether you’re male or female, 18 or 80. Reactions to hair loss range from embarrassment and social withdrawal to depression, anxiety and a loss of confidence. Fear of humiliation or being judged negatively can have a severe impact on one’s mental health.

Joy Ross, owner of Style It Salon in Bluffton, is a certified hair loss specialist who can help. She is licensed to buy medical grade lasers and hair growth products. She said there are many reasons for hair loss such as chemotherapy, thyroid issues, liver problems, pregnancy hormones, menopause, low testosterone, genetics, rapid weight loss, alopecia, and especially stress.

“We must get to the root of the problem, no pun intended, to determine the treatment and the length of treatment time,” Ross said. “With extreme stress the hair follicle takes the first hit. All nutrients go to other organs first. Also, the sun here can deplete and damage the follicle.”

Ross has her clients complete a five-page questionnaire about their medications, stressors, vitamins, lifestyle and even perspiration. She said sweat sits on one’s head and damages the follicles. Men who wear baseball caps to cover hair loss are making it worse.

“I do a deep, deep dive. It’s never one thing, and it could be genetic or systemic,” Ross said. Laser therapy goes to the bottom of the follicle deep into the scalp and revitalizes the skin and scalp. “It’s a jump start – like giving CPR to follicles making them healthy again.”

Laser therapy is FDA-cleared for treating androgenetic alopecia by stimulating hair follicles, increasing hair density and thickness, and slowing the progression of hair loss. While it may not completely cure genetic hair loss, it is considered an effective and non-invasive option that can strengthen existing hair and promote new growth.

Ross explained that there are various products that promote hair growth such as Nutrafol, Minoxidil, and Propecia, but if you stop taking them, hair growth stops. Plus, there are side effects to all medications, but laser therapy is non-invasive. It’s also less expensive than hair transplant surgery and stem cell injections.

During an initial consultation, Ross uses a scope with 100x magnification to examine the scalp to determine if the follicle still has life and takes pictures of the scalp. Part of the consultation is scalp detox and exfoliation to revitalize the scalp by removing any buildup of things like dandruff and eczema. “The exfoliation gets the blood flowing and carries nutrients to the follicle,” Ross explained. She now also offers an additional 30- or 40-minute service that includes scalp exfoliation with head, neck and shoulder massage.

A medical grade laser has 700 diodes and a high wave length of red light for a more intense treatment than cheaper options one can purchase online. Ross said, “This therapy gives hair follicles a whole new life, and that’s a big deal because it stimulates the mitochondria.”

The laser treatment therapy requires two appointments each week for six months. “One client did a happy dance after her treatment, and that made me happy,” Ross said.

Edwina Hoyle is a freelance writer in Bluffton.