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 Dr. Alan J. Bauman is the Founder, Medical Director and Chief Surgeon of the Bauman Medical Group, P.A. located in Wharfside at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton, Florida. His practice is dedicated exclusively to treating male and female pattern hair loss. Dr. Bauman uses state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques to help his patients maintain and/or restore their scalp hair.
KT
2006-09-05
Cold pack for hair loss?
Hello Dr. Bauman,
From what I understand, low level laser light therapy increases the blood circulation which helps in increasing the rate of wound healing and decreases inflammation. I was wondering if cold pack, which is normally used for reducing inflammation, can acheive a similar effect. Apply cold-pack for 10 min or so. After removing it, the increase in blood circulation in the applied region might have similar effect as laser comb and might help to reduce inflammation and would healing therby helping hair to grow. What are your thoughts?
Thank you!
I'm not sure you are on the right track.
First, I do not think that the increase in blood circulation is the direct result of the laser. My opinion is that the laser directly targets the energy-producing centers of the cells within the follicle, making the follicle 'work better.' Increased blood flow is result of these follicles needing more blood because they are working more efficiently. For example, when you exercise a muscle, blood flow to the muscle increases, but the increase in blood flow happened because the muscles were working harder, not the other way around.
Second, cold packs would certainly decrease the blood flow temporarily but I don't think that's a good environment for healthy follicles. Cold-therapy is typically used for an acute injury (muscle sprain or strain, etc. and that is NOT what is happening to miniaturizing follicles in hereditary hair loss).
Third, years ago before Hair Restoration was a specialized field, dermatologists used to give steroid injections into the scalp of people suffering from hair loss in the hopes that the anti-inflamatory effects of the steriods would help--it rarely did.
If you are suffering from hair loss, you need to consult with a hair restoration physician and stick with the 'tried-and-true' treatments first: Propecia (for men), Minoxidil (for men and women). There is plenty of data to support the use of Propecia and Minoxidil. A hair restoration physician can evaluate your status, needs and goals as well as track the results of any treatment regimen. From there, laser therapy (a newer treatment) can be tried using a hand-held or in-office 'hood.' I believe that density tracking and standardized photos are 'a must' for patients who are trying to prevent or reverse hair loss. Keep in mind that laser therapy is no 'miracle cure' for hair loss. Obviously, hair transplantation is the ONLY treatment available that restores living and growing hair to an area where the follicles are gone. Properly planned and performed, hair transplantation is a safe, effective treatment for both men and women suffering from hair loss. It can be used to restore thinning density (by adding new follicles between sparse areas) as well as restoring a natural, undetectable living and growing hairline. If you would like a preliminary evaluation of your current hair loss status and some guidance on what treatment options might work for you, just email me directly: doctorb at baumanmedical.com
I look forward to helping you.
Sincerly,
Dr. B.
Alan J. Bauman MD
Bauman Medical Group
www.baumanmedical.com
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