A Labor (Day) of Love – Show Your Scalp Some Affection for Alopecia Awareness Month

by Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS

September, to many, is about as good as it gets. Cooler temps, shorter days, and leaves changing colors all usher in the start of autumn.

But before you grab your pumpkin spice latte and break out the rake from your shed, this month begins by paying tribute to the countless hard-working Americans punching in and out every day. Labor Day, a time of relief and relaxation, is the perfect time to celebrate the workforce by giving them what they deserve most: a relaxing day off.

Believe it or not, the workforce and your scalp are in need of the exact same thing, as being overworked and stressed out leads to potential burnout for your follicles. It’s fitting, as September is also Alopecia Awareness Month, a term that I’m sure many of you recognize but might not be entirely sure what it means.

To put it simply, alopecia is hair loss. There just so happens to be a slew of forms possible, so to avoid any potential confusion, we’ll just stick with the usual suspect — androgenetic alopecia. More commonly known as male (and female) pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia makes up roughly 95% of all hair loss cases.

How has it become so prevalent? AGA is typically brought on by the hormone DHT, which causes hair follicles to shrink, resulting in a decrease in hair production. In cases of men, AGA begins with a receding temple and hairline, along with decreased coverage in the crown or back of the head, as well as on the top of the scalp. With women, AGA attacks the frontal half of the scalp with diffuse thinning, making the temples a potential target.

While we might be taking some time off to start the month, our team at Bauman Medical is dedicated to giving your scalp the TLC it deserves. While a day off will undoubtedly help you, we have the tools to truly help your hair. Our work leads us to new cutting-edge treatments that combat AGA and much more, such as:

FoLix Hair Growth Laser
When it comes to putting in work for hair restoration, our team at Bauman Medical knows a thing or two about the impacts of laser therapy. That’s why I’m excited to reveal that our clinic is one of only a few practices in America to utilize the FoLix Hair Growth Laser, courtesy of Lumenis.

FoLix, a non-invasive and FDA-approved laser treatment, is a game-changer in the realm of androgenetic alopecia. By using fractional photothermolysis, we’re able to target specific portions of the scalp to stimulate hair growth. You might be wondering, “What is photothermolysis?” Simply put, it involves heating specific cells and tissues using light energy. Think of the lasers used for tattoo removal but with none of the discomfort.

What sets Folix apart from traditional methods of hair restoration, such as microneedling, is the level of control we now possess. With this precision, patients will be greeted with a procedure for hair growth that is not only safe but also comfortable, instilling a sense of security and confidence.

The standard for FoLix treatment takes place over 4-6 sessions, each spaced one month apart, with periodic maintenance to follow. Beginning with pre-treatment, patients are provided protective eyewear before their hair is sectioned to show thinning areas. Now, the work really gets going. A member of our team will apply the laser handpiece and its cooling tip, working across the thinning zones in a grid-like pattern. As the laser pulses, patients can expect a warm heat across those spots.

We now enter the post-treatment period, during which patients may notice a slightly redder scalp than usual, similar to the appearance of your skin after being in the sun for too long. But despite the redness for a few hours, there’s no discomfort, no downtime! That means getting back to work, or in this month’s case, back to a day of R&R. Some basic care tidbits to keep in mind, though, are avoiding scalding hot showers or abrasive chemicals on your scalp.

A streamlined procedure, FoLix results will begin to show after the first two or three treatments. This is when reduced shedding and increased volume will appear. After the subsequent two sessions, new baby hairs and improved density begin to appear. If you’re back in the office for measurements, we can see exactly how well you’re responding in each zone. Within about half a year, most patients notice significantly fuller areas that were previously weak.

Despite the impacts of FoLix, things like androgenetic alopecia simply don’t stop. Because of this, it’s integral to keep up with maintenance following the initial treatments. Much like using minoxidil or PRP, FoLix works best over time with additional laser sessions to maintain follicle activity and prevent potential regression. A few times a year, for 30 minutes at a time, and your follicles will be working like never before.

While FoLix showcases the boundary-pushing science around hair restoration, that doesn’t mean it can’t work hand-in-hand with other proven treatments. Those familiar with Bauman Medical know about some of these staples that pair perfectly with the new kid on the block:

Hair Follicle Stem Cell Banking
While you’re on your way to cash your check at the bank, why not stop into our facility and make a follicle deposit? Hair Follicle Stem Banking offers immense benefits for current and future procedures. By collecting stem cells directly from your hair follicles, we can cryopreserve them to use for treatments like topical scalp solutions or hair follicle cloning.

With untapped potential beyond hair loss treatment, Hair Follicle Stem Cell Banking enables your body to work for you now and in the future. From skin rejuvenation to orthopedic treatments, and even possible organ repair and replacement, stem cell banking offers a truly personalized plan that extends well beyond your initial deposit.

STEMgroTM
Ready to make a stem cell withdrawal? Putting your cells into something like STEMgroTM is a savvy move toward hair regrowth. A pain-free, personalized topical treatment in-office derived from your own hair follicle stem cells, STEMgroTM continues to break new ground with ongoing clinical trials that are furthering its development toward injectable treatments. Looking into the future, we’ve even seen the possibility of hair follicles cultivated in the lab, all tailored to your scalp and your scalp only.

Low-Level Laser Therapy
A tried-and-true hair growth solution at Bauman Medical, our award-winning Bauman Turbo LaserCap® brings the benefits of FoLix to you. Whether you’re in the office or chilling on the couch, all you need is five minutes out of your busy day for robust hair. FDA-cleared, drug-free, chemical-free, side-effect-free, and non-invasive, the TurboCap will certainly put in the work for hair regrowth during and after hours.

PRP & PDOgroTM
FoLix isn’t the only procedure that couples convenience and pain-free. Another Bauman Medical classic, you won’t even feel or notice our PRP procedure. All we need from you is a small blood sample for massive results. We separate the platelets from your blood and concentrate them before gently reapplying them into your scalp.

For even more vigorous hair regrowth, you can combine PRP with PDOgroTM, our FDA-cleared, delicate, and absorbable polydioxanone threads that stimulate numerous scalp functions essential for hair regrowth. This absorbable material activates your endogenous collagen production, elastin, hyaluronic acid, new blood vessel formation, and fibroblast activity. Performed in our comfortable outpatient procedure, PDOgroTM requires no recovery or aftercare, allowing you to sit back and relax.

Learn More
This Labor Day, treat your hair to the same care you deserve with a relaxing visit to our team at Bauman Medical. If you’re feeling overworked, just imagine how your scalp is feeling. Let our experts take the lead on this project. Call 561-220-3480 or schedule a private one-on-one in-person or virtual evaluation at www.baumanmedical.com.

Bauman Medical Hair Restoration

561-220-3480