First, let us state the obvious: there’s nothing wrong with being bald. You don’t need hair and you’re certainly not alone in losing it. In fact, an estimated half of men will experience a notable degree of hair loss before the age of 50. And yet we also know that the experience of balding can deliver a serious blow to a man’s self-esteem – and there’s a multimillion-pound industry ready to deal with the fallout. From topical treatments to next-gen transplants and hair-growth ‘helmets’, there’s never been more choice for the follically challenged man. And some of it’s pretty exciting.
Before you bring out the big guns, there are plenty of more cost-effective options to explore (you can start by browsing a few of the articles in our collection, below). If you’re just trying to maintain the locks you’ve got, for example, then a good shampoo and proper wash routine can go a long way. Men who are a bit further along in the journey of personal growth might also want to explore clinically proven medications – both oral and topical – which can slow the rate of hair loss and even promote healthy regrowth.
Already exhausted the obvious options? Well, there are some some more advanced treatments you might not yet have heard about. We tasked our grooming editor-at-large, Shane C. Kurup, with collating some of the most exciting.
Next-Generation Hair Loss Treatments
Ready to take things up a gear? Read this first.
Non-invasive clinical treatments
While transplants have permanent results, it can be a long and difficult process. Non-invasive treatments that have little to no downtime are increasingly popular. Ouronyx, in London, offers two advanced treatments for hair loss, which you could undergo during your lunch break.
Autologous Micrografting Technology
This is the newer, more advanced alternative to plasma-rich platelet injections, but instead of using blood, three small grafts of healthy hair follicles are taken to create a suspension solution of follicle stem cells, which is injected into the scalp. Although it doesn’t actually grow new follicles, the formula is more effective at halting hair fall and rousing sleepy follicles to grow a thicker mane, with an 80% success rate in increasing hair density. Results can last up to 18 months, when top-up treatments can be administered. £2,850 per treatment
Tricopat hair restoration
An advanced delivery system to improve the efficacy of growth-factor serum. It uses a dermabrasion tool with 0.25mm needles to create micro wounds on the scalp, aiding penetration of the serum to increase oxygen and nutrient supplies. The treated scalp is then exposed to an LED light, and pressure wave and electro stimulation, which further increases blood circulation and extends the growth ‘anagen’ phase of your hair. A 2021 study of 30 men, found a 14.61% increase in the total number of hairs per sq cm and a 13.62% increase in hair diameter after six months. A course involves four 20-minute sessions, every three weeks. £1,350
Hair Transplants 3.0
Things have been getting a whole lot smarter... Here’s what’s on offer in 2024 and beyond.
Stem cell tech
Stem cells seem to be the magic beans for addressing multiple issues. We spoke to Munir Somji of the Dr MediSpa clinic and a key player in stem cell hair transplant development.
What is a stem cell hair transplant?
Taking a small sample of healthy follicles and cloning them. You’re multiplying your healthy dermal papillae cells in a lab, then reintroducing them to the scalp.
What are the benefits?
As you can generate a large amount of dermal papillae cells from a single follicle, you don’t need to go through a big harvesting of your existing follicles, but you’ll have these multiplied cells to implant in the scalp. Essentially, you’re not restricted by the limited supply of hairs from your donor area on your head – the supply of new follicle cells is more or less infinite.
When will this procedure become available?
Five years ago, we thought it would be ready to roll out, but further tweaks are needed. It might be another five years.
Follicle banking
How about storing your healthy follicles for use later in life? Bessam Farjo, hair restoration surgeon and co-founder of Farjo Hair Institute, is offering this service with HairClone, a hair-loss biotech.
What is HairClone?
This cutting-edge technique involves the collection and banking of hair follicle cells using cryopreservation. The process begins with the extraction of 100 hair follicles, typically from the back of your scalp. They are then cryopreserved (frozen) ensuring their viability for use later when the cloning aspect becomes available.
What are the benefits?
It’s an insurance policy – by banking your follicles at an earlier age, you can protect against the ageing of hairs. The younger follicles will still behave their age, even when used later down the line. It’s minimally invasive.
How much does it cost?
There’s a one-off fee of £1,700, and a charge of £1,200 for the surgery. It’s £600 if it’s done as part of a hair transplant. Annual maintenance costs about £100.
DIY topical treatments
Calecim Professional Advanced Hair System
A new topical treatment of growth formula made with – you guessed it – stem cells. It was created by Singaporean firm CellResearch, using the stem cells of red deer applied with a dermal stamping tool for better penetration. An at-home six-week course is £315.
FOL005 peptide
During a 2004 study by Swedish biotech Follicum on arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), researchers discovered that osteopontin – a bone sialoprotein – stimulated hair growth. It led to the creation of a patented peptide formula, FOL005, which is set to come to market in a topical gel form in 2025.
