Crown Hair Loss: Do I Really Need All 12 Follicle Injection Sessions?

Crown Hair Loss: Do I Really Need All 12 Follicle Injection Sessions?

Hello.

I'm Dr. Dajung Kim, Chief Director of Cordia Clinic.

When I recommend 12 sessions of follicle injections to someone who has come in for crown hair loss, there's sometimes a brief silence.

Even if they don't say anything, I can read it on their face.

‘Isn't this overtreatment?’

I completely understand that feeling.

Honestly, from a doctor's perspective, it's much easier to say, “Just keep using the topical medication and let's observe.”

The recommendation itself can sometimes feel like a burden.

However, there's a clear reason why I recommend 12 sessions.

It's because I believe it's truly the most helpful path for the patient.

Today, I'd like to calmly explain the reasons I couldn't fully elaborate on in the consultation room.

<Treatment Philosophy>

Why specifically 12 sessions?

The number 12 comes from the hair growth cycle.

Our hair grows in a cycle that goes through the anagen (growth), catagen (transitional), and telogen (resting) phases.

Hair loss means this cycle is disrupted, and the hair follicles are gradually shrinking.

Follicle injections are not a treatment that produces explosive results in one go.

Consistent stimulation and nutrition must be supplied to the hair follicle throughout one cycle for the hair root to thicken and for newly grown hair to establish itself.

Typically, 12 sessions, spaced 2-3 weeks apart, take about 6-8 months.

This period is the minimum time required for one hair cycle to establish itself.

Clinical studies on patients with androgenetic alopecia who received growth factor injections every 3-4 weeks reported a statistically significant improvement in hair density and growth rate at 3 months after the first injection, with the effect maintained up to 6 months.

Even in short-term studies, it was confirmed that hair responds over multiple sessions.

12 sessions are designed to stably elicit and maintain that response.

Sometimes, people stop after only 3-4 sessions, saying, “I don't think it's working.”

However, in those cases, it's not that there's no effect, but rather that they stopped before the point where the effects would become visible.

Of course, this doesn't mean everyone must receive exactly 12 sessions.

The number of sessions can be adjusted depending on the extent and condition of hair loss.

That's why an accurate diagnosis of your scalp condition during the first consultation is crucial.

It's not excessive; it's 'different roles'.

Another common question I hear is:

“I'm already taking medication and using topical solutions for crown hair loss, do I really need injections too?” It can feel overwhelming to be told to do three things when even one feels like a burden.

However, these three things are not doing the same job three times.

They act in different locations and in different ways.

Oral medication suppresses the hormones that cause hair loss.

It acts as a shield, preventing further hair loss.

Topical medication is daily care, absorbed into the hair follicles from the scalp surface, providing daily nutrition.

Follicle injections are intensive care, directly delivering medication and growth factors deep into the scalp, where the hair follicles are actually located.

By directly reaching depths that topical medications cannot, it creates an environment for weakened areas to recover.

Each method performs a different task in a different place.

That's why they create synergy when used together.

If you only manage one aspect of crown hair loss, the effects will be slow, and slow results ultimately mean spending more money over a longer period.

Resolve your doubts, then start treatment.

Once again, it's natural to feel doubtful when recommended multiple injection sessions.

Don't dismiss those doubts; ask your doctor directly.

“Why 12 sessions?” “At what point can I expect results given my hair condition?” If a consultation cannot clearly answer such questions, it might be worth reconsidering.

I don't want patients to start treatment with doubts.

You need to be convinced to consistently come for 6 or 8 months, and only then will results follow. Crown hair loss is an area where earlier treatment leads to better outcomes.

While you hesitate, your hair follicles are slowly shrinking.

If you have doubts, I will help you resolve them first.

At Cordia Clinic, the starting point of treatment is to explain everything thoroughly until the patient is convinced.

This has been Dr. Dajung Kim, Chief Director of Cordia Clinic.

Thank you.

<Inquiries - Naver TalkTalk>

Cordia Clinic - Naver TalkTalk
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