Alopecia and Hair Loss Treatment in San Francisco, CA

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About alopecia and hair loss

Androgenetic alopecia, commonly called “male pattern baldness” is the cause of more than 95% of hair loss in men. In fact, according to the American Hair Loss Association, by the age of thirty-five, two-thirds of American men will experience some degree of noticeable hair loss, and by the age of fifty approximately 85% of men have significantly thinning hair. Men are not the only ones who suffer from pattern baldness, females experience hair loss at a surprisingly high rate, too. Female pattern hair loss occurs in approximately 50% of women by the time they reach fifty. 

Other causes of hair loss for men and women include: extreme stress or illness, chemotherapy, and traction alopecia (caused by trauma to hair follicles from hairstyles that pull the hair tight). In addition, women may experience hair loss due to hormonal changes, such as those that occur postpartum. Alopecia areata is a rare form of hair loss, affecting only 2% of the population. Researchers believe that this form of hair loss is an autoimmune disease. Although it is not clear why, the immune system is inappropriately activated and attacks the hair follicles. Severity of the disease varies from small patches of hair loss to loss of all hair on the body.

No matter the cause of your hair loss, we understand how unsettling and emotional it can be to lose you hair. Luckily our team of Board Certified dermatologists at Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology have several options to help address your hair loss concerns.

ABOUT PRP THERAPY

First used to quickly heal pro athletes, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy has found many applications in the medical community. PRP therapy uses the growth factors in a patient's blood to stimulate the healing process. At Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology in San Francisco, our team of board-certified dermatologists and skin care professionals use PRP therapy to help patients with thinning hair and those in the early stages of balding. By injecting the PRP serum into the scalp, dormant hair follicles can be stimulated to thicken and re-grow areas of hair. PRP injections for hair restoration can be a great option for anyone who has not had success with over-the-counter treatments but also isn't ready for hair transplant surgery. 

Dr. Austin helped me with a hair growth problem I was experiencing and was able to diagnose the problem at first sight. I've also been here for acne problems I was experiencing and Dr. Welsh was able to alleviate my issues. This is definitely the best dermatologist business in San Francisco! Thank you

C.A. Yelp

I came to Dr. Austin because I had noticed I was experiencing hair loss and was concerned.  She immediately got to work to isolate the problem and ordered a variety of tests to ensure we got an answer.  The tests revealed that I was severely anemic and I then understood why I was also experiencing significant fatigue and a variety of other symptoms.   Dr. Austin provided me with a regimen of iron supplements and a hair growth formula to address both the anemia and the hair loss.  Within a few months, my anemia was resolved and, not only was I regrowing my hair, I truly believe I have more hair than ever before and receive compliments from friends and my hair stylist.  I am so thankful to Dr. Austin for helping me resolve what was a very serious medical issue, as well as a cosmetic one.

M.W. Yelp

I cannot begin to express my satisfaction with Dr. Andrea Hui-Austin at Bay Area. Cosmetic Dermatology.  During the first 3 months of covid I experienced hair loss.  It was very drastic.  I reached out to Dr Austin and she immediately put in a prescription at my local pharmacy.  She advised about the medications and how they work.  Within 2 weeks there was a change., which Dr Austin advised I would notice.  My scalp wasn’t dry and I noticed growth starting.  I just finished my last dose of the medication and can tell you the results is like night and day from the beginning .  My hair has not only fully grown back in  but it’s thicker as well and my scalp is not dry. You can see in the pictures how the it has filled in during the 3 month period.  I’m so grateful to Dr. Austin, as many of you women know hair loss is very difficult and by Dr Austin reacting promptly it made a huge difference.  She also followed up with me constantly.  I’m so happy and thrilled! Thank you so much Dr Austin you have me back my confidence!

D.W. Yelp

This review is for Dr. Austin and her amazing staff! As a skincare professional I am very careful who I see for aesthetic procedures, and who I refer clients to. Dr. Austin is really the best of the best. She has an extremely good eye for detail and is very modest and intentional with her approach. Her treatment plan, from botox, to filler, RXs and lasers over the years has been spot on. She even knew to check my thyroid when I was experiencing hair loss. She really has my heart and I can’t say enough good things about her. Plus, her staff is so so kind, efficient and caring. I always look forward to coming to BACD for treatments, and feeling confident in the quality of care here.

T.Z. Yelp

I have been seeing Dr. Austin for over 3 years now - and the compliments on my skin just keep increasing despite my age. She put me on a skincare routine that was medically grounded, personalized and quick to turn things around. And she addresses the whole person, from inside out, talking to me about the severe impact of stress on my skin. But what brings me to this review is that in the last year, I have been working with her on thickening my hair (another consequence of aging and stress - thinning hair!) and she has worked a miracle. I can’t tell you how much better I feel about myself thanks to the regiment she has me on (and one that is manageable for a busy person). Dr Austin and the team at BACD are worth every penny. You get the best in science with top doctors in their field, with safe and truly effective treatments. Yes, that doesn’t come cheap. But you only live life once!

K.G. Yelp

6

Total Reviews

4.9

Average Rating

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Best Candidates

PRP is drawn from the patient‘s blood, so it is extremely protein and platelet-rich, containing helpful growth factors that help stimulate natural hair growth. PRP injections are best for patients with visibly thinning hair or patients in the early stages of hair loss. PRP can stimulate dormant hair follicles and hair growth, but it cannot create new hair follicles.

What to Expect

A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient and then spun in a special centrifuge until the harvested cells, platelets, and growth factors are concentrated, which turns it into platelet-rich plasma (PRP) serum. Since the treatment substance is taken from the patient’s own blood, the possibility of negative side effects or harmful reactions is significantly less. Once the PRP serum is prepared, it can be carefully injected into areas of the scalp with visible thinning or bald spots.

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Other Considerations

For the first one to three days after the procedure, patients may have some mild swelling, redness, and bruising in the treated area. Patients typically see improvements to their hair growth about three to four months after their treatment, with final results appearing six to eighteen months after their last treatment. For better results, patients can have multiple treatments, scheduled every one to two months. 

OTHER TREATMENT OPTIONS

A patient with patches of hair loss may be a candidate for injections of corticosteroid solution into the scalp. This procedure involves close monitoring of hair loss and regular follow-up appointments with our board-certified dermatologists, but can be very effective. 

Our dermatologists at Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology often recommend a combination of PRP treatments with corticosteroid injections, as well as our prescription Topical Alopecia Solution and over-the-counter supplements such as Nutrafol. Our Topical Alopecia Solution is available in specialized formulas for women and men. Both formulas contain 7% Minoxidil (compared with 5% available in Rogaine). However, women’s formula also contains progesterone and tretinoin while the men’s contains finasteride (the active ingredient in prescription Propecia). When combined with taking Nutrafol supplements daily, our patients see stellar results!

NATURAL HAIR RESTORATION

If you have noticed that your hair is thinning, now is the time to act. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are safe and noninvasive way to rejuvenate the length and thickness of your hair. Schedule a consultation to learn more and find out if you are a candidate for hair restoration with PRP injections.

*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.