We’ve all experienced bad hair days. They are kinda like bad moods. They come and go and are totally normal. But if your bad hair days are every day due to hair loss or hair thinning, it’s time to get to the root of the problem.

Not only can hair loss, from mild thinning to noticeable bald patches or a receding hairline, be the sign of an underlying health issue, but the emotional toll can also be significant and trigger a range of emotions such as self-consciousness, shame, anger, and even depression.

If you’re feeling distressed about hair loss and looking for ways to combat balding and restore thickness and vitality to your hair, know that you’re not alone. Hair loss is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Statistics reveal that about 35 million men and 21 million women experience hair loss.

Despite this fact, many people are unaware of the various options available to help with balding. There are treatments, services, and hair systems that can be used to restore your hair’s thickness and vitality. Raising awareness is crucial in the field of hair loss treatment, as it helps people understand their options, one of the most popular and promising approaches being hair loss injections.

In this comprehensive blog, we will discuss different types of hair loss injections, including the well-known platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections (also known as vampire treatment), steroid injections, and the latest breakthrough in hair loss therapy called exosome therapy. 

We will also touch on the many causes of hair loss and hair thinning, why getting to the root of your hair loss is important and how that is achieved, other non-injectable hair loss solutions, the possibility of hair regrowth without treatment, and provide insights on where to get hair loss injections in Middle Tennessee.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Assumptions are commonly made when it comes to hair loss. One of the most prevalent misconceptions is that balding or hair thinning it’s solely attributed to aging. Getting older is certainly a contributing factor to hair loss. Statistics show that by age 35, men already face a 40% loss rate, which can escalate to 70% by the time they reach 80. Women are not immune either, as about 80% of them may encounter hair loss challenges by age 60.

But age isn’t the only cause of hair loss and hair thinning. Here are some key factors other than aging that can contribute to hair loss:

Genetics

Hereditary factors play a significant role in hair loss. Male or female androgenic alopecia, or male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness, is the most common inherited cause of hair loss worldwide and can even happen as early as your teens.

If your parents or grandparents experienced balding, you will also have a higher chance of hair loss. Men typically inherit the baldness gene from the X chromosome from their mother, while female baldness can be genetically inherited from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal fluctuations can trigger hair loss. Events such as pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or hormonal disorders such as thyroid conditions can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to temporary or permanent hair loss. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another common hormone problem that can result in hair loss.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions and illnesses can cause hair loss. These include thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata, scalp infections, and other underlying chronic illnesses.

Ringworm infections, cicatricial alopecia, sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, and traumatic alopecia can also lead to hair loss. So can a mental disorder called trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder), which causes the urge to pull out your own hair.

Medications and Treatments

Some medications and treatments have hair loss as a potential side effect. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, certain blood thinners, antidepressants, and medications for hypertension or arthritis are examples of such medicines.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Inadequate nutrition, particularly deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, can impact hair health and contribute to hair loss. Nutrients like iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamin D are crucial for healthy hair growth.

Stress

Excessive physical or emotional stress can lead to temporary hair loss, known as telogen effluvium. Stressful events, traumatic experiences, or prolonged periods of anxiety can disrupt the hair growth cycle and increase shedding.

Hairstyling and Hair Treatments

Frequent use of heat styling tools, tight hairstyles, chemical treatments, and improper hair care practices can cause hair damage and breakage, leading to thinning and loss over time.

Diagnosing the Root Cause of Hair Loss

What’s causing your hair loss can determine whether your hair falls out or thins gradually or abruptly, whether it can regrow on its own or requires treatment to regrow, and if it needs immediate attention to prevent permanent hair loss.

When faced with hair loss concerns, it’s important to determine the underlying cause to develop an effective treatment plan. Here’s an overview of the diagnostic process to determine the root cause of your hair loss so that you can select the best treatment approach.

Medical History

Your healthcare provider will begin by gathering your medical history, including any relevant information about your overall health, family history of hair loss, and recent life events or changes that may have contributed to the hair loss.

Physical Examination

A thorough examination of the scalp, hair follicles, and any affected areas will be conducted to assess the pattern and extent of hair loss, look for signs of inflammation or infection, and examine the overall condition of the scalp.

Laboratory Tests

Depending on the initial assessment, further diagnostic tests may be recommended. These can include blood tests to check for specific deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to hair loss.

In more severe cases, a scalp biopsy may be performed on the hair follicles under a microscope, providing valuable insights into the cause of the hair loss.

Pull Test

Your healthcare provider may gently pull on a small section of your hair to evaluate its strength and determine if excessive shedding or breakage is occurring. This can provide clues about the stage of the hair growth cycle and potential causes of hair loss.

Best Procedures to Help Regrow Hair

Several different types of procedures are available to help regrow hair and combat balding. Of those available, hair loss injections are the most widely used.

Several types of hair loss injections are available, the three most common being platelet-rich plasmas (PRP), steroids, and exosomes.

Some hair loss injections, such as PRP (also known as vampire treatments), are very well known, while others, such as exosome therapy, are only starting to gain popularity and make their way into the Nashville area.

Here are details on all three hair loss injection options most widely used to combat balding:

Exosomes

Exosome therapy is the latest breakthrough in hair loss treatment, heralded as the most advanced therapy available today, and our newest hair loss solution offered at Garza Plastic Surgery in Nashville, Tn.

Exosome therapy, which is considered safe and well-tolerated, with minimal risk of adverse reactions or complications, holds tremendous promise for individuals seeking a highly advanced and scientifically supported solution to hair loss.

The clinically proven effectiveness of exosome therapy makes it a superior choice for those striving to combat hair loss and achieve long-lasting, natural-looking results. When applied or injected into the scalp, exosomes call help:

  • Hydrate and nourish the scalp
  • Promotes a healthy hair growth cycle
  • Visibly make hair look and feel softer and shinier
  • Reduce hair shedding

So, what exactly are exosomes? They are extracellular vesicles secreted by stem cells that act as messengers, delivering essential signals to neighboring cells. These tiny vesicles are loaded with growth factors, proteins, and genetic material that play a vital role in cellular communication and tissue regeneration.

In the context of hair loss, exosomes have shown immense potential in stimulating dormant hair follicles, promoting hair growth, and improving overall hair density and quality. In fact, some research suggests that exosomes possess remarkable regenerative properties, surpassing the effectiveness of traditional treatments like PRP by up to 100 times.

During the in-office exosome therapy procedure, a small sample of exosomes is collected from a reliable source and prepared for injection. The exosomes are carefully administered into the scalp, precisely targeting the areas experiencing hair loss or thinning.

Once injected, the exosomes work their magic by releasing growth factors and other bioactive molecules that enhance the natural regenerative processes within the hair follicles. These powerful signals can rejuvenate dormant hair follicles, revitalize weakened hair shafts, and promote new hair growth.

At Garza Plastic Surgery, we use the brand BENEV Exosome. BENEV Exosome treatments are based on the most cutting-edge scientific biotech breakthrough for the skin and scalp. Additionally, to ensure our patients receive the best and longest-lasting results, we only use the most potent version of exomes that BENV offers, which is the Exosome Regenerative Complex+.

The Dual-Action Exosome Regenerative Complex+ is a scientifically validated, intensive formula designed to revitalize and renew the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth. Its unique dual-action mechanism works to rejuvenate and regenerate the scalp, providing optimal conditions for hair to thrive. This advanced complex has undergone rigorous clinical testing, confirming its efficacy in supporting the growth and vitality of hair.

The exact number of exosome therapy sessions required to see results depends on individual factors such as the extent of hair loss, overall health, and desired outcomes. That said, exosomes don’t require the retraction of a patient’s blood like PRP and typically take fewer sessions to see results, with many patients feeling the difference after only one session.

In terms of longevity, exosome therapy for hair loss is well-known for its long-lasting effects, as the regenerative signals delivered by exosomes continue to stimulate hair follicles and support hair growth over time. To optimize and maintain the results, periodic maintenance sessions may be recommended as part of a personalized treatment plan. Additionally, individual responses may vary as the longevity of results can depend on various factors, including the individual’s unique biology, lifestyle, and ongoing hair care practices.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP injections for hair loss use a similar concept to exosome therapy, which uses growth factors to produce collagen. The main difference, however, is that exosome growth factors are lab-derived, and PRP uses the patient’s blood. Additionally, as mentioned above, exosomes are documented to be much more powerful than treatments with PRP.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a substance made from your own blood that contains a higher concentration of platelets. Platelets are tiny blood cells that help with clotting and have growth factors that can help promote healing and stimulate tissue repair.

In terms of hair loss, when these platelets are injected deep into the scalp and reach the base of the hair follicle, it’s hypothesized that there is the potential to stimulate a specific group of cells called dermal papilla cells, which are known to have a crucial role in the process of hair growth.

If you choose PRP injections to help combat balding, it is a multi-step and very meticulous process. First, PRP is created by drawing a small amount of your blood, which is then processed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other blood components. This concentrates the platelets in the plasma, forming PRP. Once the PRP is collected, it is carefully injected into the areas of hair loss on the scalp.

The treatment typically involves three or more sessions, spaced around one month apart, with maintenance sessions recommended every three to six months for optimal results. The duration of results from PRP therapy can vary from person to person. While some individuals may notice hair growth and thickness improvements within a few months, others may require more time to see noticeable changes.

As wonderful as PRP is for hair loss, if you are considering a non-invasive injectable hair loss treatment, we highly suggest that you consider exosome therapy. With its higher effectiveness rate, many patients can significantly benefit from exosome therapy over PRP. Our experienced hair loss nurse can explain the differences and benefits of each hair loss injection treatment during your complimentary consultation.

Steroid Injections

Steroid injections involve the administration of corticosteroids, which are powerful anti-inflammatory medications. The primary objective of steroid injections is to suppress the immune response that contributes to hair follicle damage and subsequent hair loss.

Steroid injections are not for everyone experiencing hair loss. Steroid injections are typically reserved for specific conditions, such as alopecia areata. Even then, steroid injections do not cure alopecia or prevent it from coming back, and like other hair loss injections, they require a series of sessions spaced several weeks apart to achieve optimal results.

While considered safe, steroid injections come with more risks than exosome therapy and PRP. One potential risk is the possibility of absorption into the rest of the body.

We do not offer steroid injections at Garza Plastic Surgery. An orthopedic surgeon or a pain management specialist typically administers steroid injections.

Other Non-Injectable Solutions for Hair Loss

Depending on how severe your hair loss or hair thinning is, you might be able to change your hairstyle to give the illusion of thicker hair. There is also the option of getting hair extensions or wearing a wig. It is important to note that these things are only cover-ups. Once hair loss begins, it’s essential to address the root issue to prevent it from worsening.

Exosome therapy and other hair loss injections, such as PRR, are the most common long-term solution for balding or thinning hair. But there are other hair loss solutions some people consider. Many of these can be used in conjunction with hair loss injections, such as exosome therapy.

Scalp Microneedling

One way you can possibly promote the absorption of products used to treat your hair loss, making them more effective, is with microneedling. Microneedling is primarily recognized as an anti-aging treatment for the skin but can also be performed on the scalp.

The process of inducing controlled injuries in the skin is believed to stimulate the revival of hair follicles and help generate skin cells in the hair follicles, leading to the possibility of new hair growth or the thickening of thinning hair strands.

Prescription Medication

A couple of oral medications are said to help slow down the progression of hair loss or stimulate new hair growth. The FDA-approved oral tablet finasteride is the most common for male pattern hair loss (Propecia®).

The specific prescription medication recommended for hair loss will depend on various factors such as the underlying cause of hair loss, overall health, age, expected results, and plans for pregnancy. If you want to take medication for hair loss, you should consult with a dermatologist who can assess your individual circumstances.

Vitamins, Herbs, and other Hair Loss Supplements

If it is determined that your hair loss or hair thinning is because of a deficiency in biotin, iron, or zinc, you can supplement with these vitamins to provide your body with what it needs to regrow hair. However, it is crucial to note that supplementation with these vitamins should only be pursued when a deficiency is confirmed through blood tests. Taking these supplements unnecessarily when your levels are already normal can be harmful.

There are also a few herbs, such as rosemary, peppermint, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, stinging nettle, horsetail, and fenugreek, to name a few, that are allegedly shown to help with hair thinning and balding. However, the effectiveness of these herbs is widely debated.

You might find several of these vitamins and herbs in supplements marketed as “hair loss” pills.

Caution should be exercised when considering any supplement that claims to promote hair regrowth, as many of these products lack scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. Additionally, the supplement industry is not regulated by the FDA.

Supplementing with a quality collagen supplement is another popular solution for addressing hair loss. Collagen is a protein naturally found in our bodies, providing structural support to various tissues, including the skin, hair, and nails.

Hair Loss Shampoos

Shampoos designed to promote hair growth and improve scalp health are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. They may contain substances such as minoxidil, biotin, ketoconazole, or other active ingredients that are believed to have positive effects on hair growth.

Hair loss shampoos work well for some people with thinning hair but not for others. The biggest downfall of hair loss shampoos is that if they work, results take time, and they require consistent use to maintain results.

Laser Caps

While their effectiveness is widely debated, laser caps have emerged as a popular option for addressing hair loss at home. These devices, designed to be worn like a regular cap, utilize low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth, and emit red or near-infrared light, which is believed to penetrate the scalp and stimulate cellular activity within the hair follicles.

Even though laser therapy is proven to promote cell health, studies regarding laser caps and their effects on hair growth are inconclusive. For those who believe they work, like shampoos, laser caps take several months to work and require consistent and ongoing use.

Scalp Micropigmentation (SRP)

This cosmetic treatment does not regrow hair; it only creates the illusion of fuller hair. SPR is sometimes called a scalp tattoo, but it differs significantly from a traditional tattoo. Using a micro-needle, a dotting tattoo technique is used to deposit pigment into the scalp to replicate the appearance of hair follicles.

Hair Transplant

A hair transplant is a costly surgical procedure that involves harvesting hair follicles from areas of the scalp with dense hair growth and transplanting them to places with thinning or balding hair. Different hair transplant techniques are available, including follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE).

Aside from the high cost and potential risks that come with hair transplant surgery, it’s important to note that hair transplant may not be suitable for everyone due to factors such as insufficient donor area, an excessively large bald spot, aggressive and progressing androgenetic alopecia, or medical conditions that prevent surgery.

Can Hair Regrow on its Own Without Treatment?

In some instances, hair loss may be temporary and can resolve on its own without intervention. This can be seen, for example, in cases of temporary hair shedding due to stress or certain medical treatments like chemotherapy. Once you lower stress or stop taking the medical treatment causing hair loss, the hair will typically regrow with time.

However, this is not typically the norm. That is because hair loss is often a result of underlying factors such as genetics, hormonal imbalances, or medical conditions, which require addressing the underlying cause and targeted treatment for effective regrowth.

If you are experiencing hair loss or hair thinning, it is best to consult with a board-certified healthcare professional experienced in hair loss to evaluate your specific condition and determine the most suitable treatment options for promoting hair regrowth. They can provide a comprehensive assessment and recommend personalized interventions to optimize the chances of regrowing hair successfully.

Hair Loss Treatment and Hair Loss Injections in Middle Tennessee

Being concerned about hair loss doesn’t make you vain—it’s a natural response. After all, our hair is an integral part of our identity, and any changes can bring about worries, especially regarding our overall health.

At Garza Plastic Surgery, we are fortunate to have Tracey Robinson on staff to help our patients that seek hair loss injections to combat balding and hair thinning. Tracey is a board-certified nurse practitioner and certified aesthetic nurse specialist (CANS) with years of experience performing hair loss injections such as PRP and exosome therapy.

Additionally, Tracey is the visionary behind Trace Skin Care, a cutting-edge practice that delivers personalized, non-surgical skincare solutions. Tracey has established herself as a leading expert in the field. Her extensive education, practical training, and hands-on experience have earned her a loyal following of clients seeking unparalleled expertise and compassionate support.

As an integral part of the renowned Garza Plastic Surgery team, Tracey works alongside Dr. Garza to provide a unique blend of empathy and expertise, ensuring each client receives exceptional care tailored to their individual needs.

Tracey is accepting new patients for hair loss injections and would love to sit down with you to discuss the treatment that might be best for your unique needs. Click here to book your complimentary hair loss injection consultation today.