Treatments
Pros, Cons, and Costs
TREATMENTS
Hair loss products and services sold by Bosley and other clinics
Surgery
FUE and FUT Hair Transplant
Less Invasive
Drugs, PRP, SMP, Laser
Follicular Unit Extraction
(FUE)
also called Follicular Unit Excision
Cylindrical grafts are removed from a broad
donor area using hollow punches.
Widespread scarring of hairless white dots. Potential for high mortality rate with handheld FUE.
$10000-$20000 per procedure
(Bosley says most patients will need at least two procedures)
Price per graft can be 1.5x to 2x higher than FUT.
Follicular Unit Transplant
(FUT)
A long piece of scalp is cut out and dissected into individual grafts.
Grafts can have less damage and more surrounding tissue.
Intensive tissue and nerve damage. Long linear scarring.
$8000-$15000 per procedure depending on the number of grafts.
THE DIFFERENCES
FUE versus FUT
FUE and FUT are the two main types of hair transplantation
75% OF PROCEDURES ARE FUE - ISHRS
IMPLANTATION IS THE SAME FOR BOTH PROCEDURES. A NEEDLE OR IMPLANTER PEN IS USED TO MAKE RECIPIENT HOLES AND GRAFTS ARE INSERTED BY FORCEPS OR PEN
FUE
Hollow tools are used to punch out grafts over a broad area
FUT
A long strip of scalp is removed
Grafts are then dissected from it
GRAFT HARVESTING
Versions of FUE
FUE VARIATIONS
Manual: Hand punches
Handheld motorized: Motor assisted hand punches
Suction (a.k.a. Neograft): Motorized FUE with a suction storage device
Robotic (a.k.a. ARTAS): Programmable robotic arm for harvesting (punches) and creation of recipient sites
Video of a Follicular Unit Extraction procedure. FUE can be susceptible to human error and graft transection.
MOTORIZED FUE WITH 1 MM PUNCH
handheld fue is subject to GUESSWORK as to the depth and direction of THE follicular units
Finasteride
a.k.a. brand name Propecia
Inhibits production of DHT, a hormone that causes hair loss. Taken daily. Generic available.
Taken orally (pill form).
Benefits will disappear when treatment is stopped. Possible sexual side effects. For men only.
$200 per year (365x1mg pills)
Minoxidil a.k.a. brand name Rogaine
Topical vasodilator applied daily. No prescription needed except for pill form. Generic available.
Can increase blood flow to existing hair follicles. May shorten the tellogen (resting) phase.
Benefits will disappear when treatment is stopped.
$100 per year (5% solution)
Dutasteride a.k.a. brand name Avodart
DHT blocker (liquid capsule). Generic available.
Some studies found it to be more effective than Finasteride
Approved by the FDA for BPH but not for hair loss.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
A patient's blood is spun on a centrifuge to separate the platelets which are injected into the scalp.
Limited studies show it may reduce hair loss and increase density.
Injections every 4-6 months. Not completely non-invasive (needles are used).
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)
Plant based pigments are injected in the upper dermal level to simulate hair stubble.
Pigment will evetually fade and will need to be redone. Not completely non-invasive (microneedles are used).
Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Low-dose laser treatments used daily.
Some studies have shown improved hair diameter and hair density. Consumers can own a portable device.
Not suitable for severe hair loss.
$200-$1500 for a comb or cap device.
Roller with small needles that cause mild skin injury.
Causes small wounds in the skin.
$20-$50 for a micro roller
Combination of Bosley FUE surgery and Hair Club wig system.
Unlimited supply of wigs.
Hair systems are attached with glue and require periodic maintenance visits.
Cost of hair transplant procedure plus
monthly maintenance fees from Hair Club.
