Excitement is met by skepticism as a new product for treating hair loss has been announced. Named Viviscal®, the new hair care regimen includes a set of oral supplements (pills), shampoos, and conditioners promoted as an effective means for rebuilding thicker and fuller hair.
But are the claims backed by reputable research, and will the product work? These are two critical questions that need answered prior to choosing any method of hair restoration– including both surgical procedures and non-surgical products.
Good Viviscal® Alternatives
One of the best alternatives to Viviscal® that hair care professionals recommend is Minoxidil. Minoxidil has been shown effective in stopping hair loss while also promoting new hair growth in some men and women since as early as 1980. Known widely under the brand name Rogaine®, Minoxidil first became approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the middle of the 1980s. A twice-daily topical treatment, Minoxidil offers ease-of-use and convenience that has garnered big sales as well as international acclaim amongst users, physicians, researchers, and hair/ health organizations.
In the 30+ years since Minoxidil has received its approval from the FDA, the hair loss treatment has undergone extensive testing in which the product has consistently produced results for both men and women. Hair loss professionals note that those who desire a more permanent solution to hair restoration ought to consider a surgical procedure, however.
Why Choose Surgical Hair Transplant Over Viviscal®?
There are many roadblocks that make it difficult for some patients to have confidence in surgical hair restoration. For one, patients fear receiving a poorly executed procedure that resembles the “hair plugs” of the 1980s. Other times, a patient might be concerned that the overall cost of the transplant procedure is too expensive. It’s also common for patients to assume that they simply do not have the time to have the procedure done, becoming overwhelmed with concerns over the time it takes to recover from a hair transplant.
However, today’s transplant procedures more faster, more convenient, and more natural looking than ever before. So natural, in fact, the International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) reports that approximately 85% of Americans cannot tell the difference between a transplanted area of scalp and an ordinary area that has not been restored by surgical means.
Today, there are 3 leading options for surgical hair transplant that offer patients incredible results:
Traditional Strip-Donor Transplant
Traditional “strip-donor” procedures are perhaps the most well-known of today’s contemporary hair transplant procedures. In this process, the scalp is anesthetized to virtually eliminate all pain and discomfort. Hair is then taken from the donor area via small strips, called “micro grafts.” These micro grafts are smaller and more expertly arranged than the “hair plugs” of the past, creating an end-result that is natural in appearance and, in most cases, permanent.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Transplant.
FUE is a highly refined method of hair transplant that involves extracting donor hairs in clusters of 1-3 follicular units. A small “punch” instrument is used for extraction, eliminating the linear scar that is most often left behind by simpler strip-donor procedures. Because this more advanced method avoids linear scarring, patients are able to wear their hair much shorter.
ARTAS® Robotic FUE
ARTAS® is the most advanced method of FUE hair transplant. This system is the first-ever FDA approved “hair transplant robot,” enabling surgeons to conduct FUE procedures with greater accuracy, precision, and reproducibility. To learn more, visit this page about the ARTAS® hair transplant robot.