BY HERMOINE MACURA-NOBLE
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES KUWAIT
From post-Covid stress to pregnancy, hair loss affects millions of people across the world for various reasons. It is a significant concern for both men and women, as losing your crown of glory is not only stressful but also a massive blow to one’s confidence.
US-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Luis Ayala explains why hair loss is such a significant phenomenon in the region. “The weather conditions and the lifestyle impact the hair growth of a person. People in the GCC are exposed to dry and hot weather for the major portion of the year. This contributes to aggravating hair loss. Hair loss is one of the major concerns throughout the world and both men and women suffer from this problem.”
And while there is some excitement in the air following a recent breakthrough by Thai researchers who claim to have found an extract from mangrove trees that can cure baldness, the pursuit of treatments that work is still in high demand.
There are two main kinds of hair transplants: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit excision (FUE). FUT harvests a small patch of skin which the surgeon divides into smaller units. They then place the units into incisions at the recipient site before suturing the wounds closed. Meanwhile, FUE involves transplanting individual hair follicles by using a tiny punch tool. Results vary depending on each patient and their genetic structure.
Another less invasive cutting-edge treatment is Regenera Activa which focuses more on a micrografting technology that uses progenitor cells (taken from the patient’s scalp) that halts hair loss and revitalizes the existing hair follicles into generating new hair, using the healing power of an individual’s cells.
Regenera Activa is in high demand as it is minimally invasive and provides results within weeks of the 30-minute treatment. “Regenera Activa is a one-session treatment done just once a year. The patient will see results within a few weeks. There is no downtime after the treatment. The patient can go back to his/her normal life the same day. It’s a non-invasive procedure with absolutely no complications. In short, it’s a proven, highly effective treatment without complications,” explains Dr. Ayala.
According to experts, patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia, which is the most common form of hair loss, are the ideal candidate for this treatment. The sooner the patient gets this treatment done, the stronger the regenerative power of the body, the better and quicker the results can be seen. The procedure can also be effective when used simultaneously with approved hair loss medications and surgical hair transplants. Or as an alternative to either.
Involving three steps that are performed in a clinic simultaneously, the whole process is done under local anaesthesia. After the initial examination, if the patient is suitable, he/she is booked for the treatment. Some skin tissue is collected from the patient’s scalp, and the tissue is processed in a specially designed cone. After processing, the cells are collected and injected back into the affected area of the scalp.
The whole process is purely natural, without any harmful effects, and focuses on using your body’s tissue and fat cells to improve the skin of the scalp and increase the density of the existing hair. This treatment means the end of hair loss and helps the hair return to its usual cycle, promoting new hair growth and improving your hair’s existing thickness and density.
Apart from the discomfort of the injections, there is minimal pain, and unlike a traditional surgical hair transplant, the procedure is predominately non-invasive. In addition, because the treatment uses cells from your scalp, there is no risk of allergy or rejection.
Numerous clinical studies have shown improvements in hair count and scalp coverage after just one month. “As the natural process of reactivation takes root and hair begins to grow, results become visible about 30 days after a single session.
However, overall effectiveness may vary from one individual to another, as it depends on the body’s regenerative capacity and how far the condition has progressed to begin with… The results need to be maintained with proper hair care routine and a healthy lifestyle,” adds Ayala.
There is minimal downtime, and patients can return immediately to their daily activities. The tiny circular marks at the back of the head from where the tissue has been obtained become crusts. They usually heal within 7-10 days.
“I’m in my 40’s and found Regenera to be highly effective for the thinning hair on the front part of my head. It’s been six months, and I can already see a difference and hair growth returning to the area,” explains GCC resident Gareth Bezuidenhout.
Ironically, hair loss is usually associated with men; however, most patients seeking treatment are women in the GCC. Doctors in the region say that many of their clients are females as, after childbirth, many women suffer hormonal changes and a lot of stress which leads to hair loss which is why hair loss treatments are now in high demand.
By Hermoine Macura-Noble
The first Australian English speaking News Anchor in the Middle East. She is also the Author of Faces of the Middle East and Founder of US-based 501c3 charity – The House of Rest which helps to ease the suffering of victims of war. For more from our Contributing Editor, you can follow her on Instagram, here.
