Ulsan hair loss Botox dermatology, how is scalp Botox used for hair loss?

Ulsan Hair Loss Botox Dermatology Clinic,

How is scalp Botox used for hair loss?

Hello.

Today, I would like to talk about scalp Botox, a topic I am asked about more often than expected while providing hair loss treatments.

When people think of hair loss treatment, they usually think of oral medications, topical solutions, or injection therapies first. Recently, scalp Botox is also being used as one of the various methods for treating hair loss.

There is a question that almost always comes up when I mention scalp Botox.

"Why would I get Botox for hair loss?"

"Does Botox make hair grow?"

In fact, since people usually associate Botox with procedures that reduce muscle, such as forehead wrinkles, frown lines, or jawline slimming, these are very understandable questions.

However, scalp Botox should be approached from a slightly different perspective than the Botox commonly known for cosmetic purposes.

Today, I will explain how I view the significance of scalp Botox in actual hair loss treatment.

1. To understand scalp Botox, you must look at TGF-β1

The process of hair loss is more complex than you might think.

It is not simply that hair falls out due to poor scalp blood circulation; rather, it is influenced by a combination of genetic factors, hormones, the environment around the hair follicles, and various signaling substances.

One of these is TGF-β1.

In hair follicles affected by androgens, TGF-β1 can increase, and this substance is known to be involved in shortening the growth phase of hair and causing it to transition to the regression phase relatively quickly.

To put it simply, it is similar to sending a signal to the hair follicle saying,

“Prepare to stop growing now.”

Some studies related to botulinum toxin suggest the possibility that it acts in a way that reduces the expression of this TGF-β1.

That is why when I explain scalp Botox, I do not simply say,

“It is a treatment that improves scalp blood circulation.”

Instead, it is more appropriate to view it as a treatment that can be used adjunctively to regulate the environment around hair follicles where hair loss is occurring and the various signals that affect hair growth.

2. We examine not only the hair but also the scalp environment.

Scalp Botox is not used solely by looking at factors related to hair growth.

In actual clinical practice, we also check the patient's scalp condition.

A representative example is sebum secretion.

Among studies conducted on the scalp, results have been reported showing a decrease in sebum secretion after injecting botulinum toxin.

For those who have excessive sebum on the scalp or whose hair becomes oily quickly, these aspects can also be examined together.

Furthermore, botulinum toxin is being studied for its influence on the release of neurotransmitters such as Substance P and CGRP.

In this regard, its potential is also being researched for individuals who experience unexplained scalp burning, stinging, itching, or discomfort that feels like pain when touching their hair.

To summarize, rather than a treatment expected to have only one effect, scalp Botox should be understood as a treatment that examines the possibility of influencing the scalp environment in various aspects, such as:

Potential regulation of hair growth inhibitory signals such as TGF-β1

Reduction of sebum secretion

Potential regulation of neurogenic inflammation

Potential relief of discomfort such as scalp burning, stinging, and itching

It would be helpful to understand it as such.

3. Then, for whom should this be considered?

In my clinical practice, I do not recommend scalp Botox to all hair loss patients.

One of the cases I particularly consider it for is female pattern hair loss.

For women, the range of medications that can be chosen to suppress the progression of hair loss over the long term is relatively more limited compared to men.

Therefore, rather than repeating a single treatment, I often combine treatments that suppress the progression of hair loss with treatments that help hair growth, tailored to the patient's condition.

In this process, scalp Botox can be considered as an additional treatment method.

The same applies to men.

If hair continues to thin despite consistent treatment with medications like finasteride or dutasteride, or if the progression is not stabilizing as expected despite maintaining treatment, I look into whether there are additional methods that can be added to the current treatment.

At this time, scalp Botox can also be considered as one of the options.

4. While there is potential for effectiveness, it is not yet a treatment with a set standard.

This is a point I would like to emphasize.

Research on scalp Botox is ongoing, and several clinical studies have reported potential positive changes related to hair count and hair density.

However, it is difficult to say that scalp Botox is currently a standard treatment that should be applied to all hair loss patients.

The dosage of botulinum toxin used, the injection site and depth, and the treatment intervals vary slightly from study to study.

In other words,

“How many units should I get?”

“How often should I get it done every few months?”

When you ask these questions, we are not yet at a stage where there is a set answer that can be applied equally to all patients.

Therefore, in actual clinical practice, it is important to decide whether to proceed with treatment and how to perform it by considering the patient's gender, type of hair loss, degree of progression, scalp condition, and response to existing treatments, while referring to the studies published to date.

5. Getting more scalp Botox is not always better

There is one aspect of Botox treatment that is easy to overlook.

It is checking whether you are already receiving regular Botox injections in other areas.

For example, if you are receiving periodic Botox injections in areas such as the forehead, glabella, masseter muscles, or trapezius, you must also consider the total dosage and treatment interval when adding scalp Botox.

This is because if botulinum toxin is used repeatedly in excessive amounts or at intervals that are too short, the possibility of neutralizing antibody formation and a subsequent decrease in treatment response must be considered.

Therefore, for scalp Botox as well,

“The more you get, the better.”

“The more frequently you get it, the better the effect.”

These are not the right ways to approach it.

It is important to determine the appropriate dosage and interval for the patient in need, while also checking other Botox treatments they are currently receiving.

This is my criteria for viewing scalp Botox

Scalp Botox is not a treatment that solves everything regarding hair loss at this time.

Also, it should not be considered a method that unconditionally replaces existing, well-established hair loss treatments such as oral or topical medications.

However, the possibility of it influencing various signals related to hair loss, including TGF-β1, and the scalp environment is being continuously studied, and actual clinical data is also gradually accumulating.

Therefore, rather than recommending scalp Botox to everyone across the board, I view it as an auxiliary treatment method that can be selectively considered for those who need to manage the progression of hair loss more stably despite currently undergoing treatment.

What is important in hair loss treatment is not adding one more new procedure.

It is more important to consistently check whether the treatment you are currently receiving is appropriate for the cause and progression of your hair loss, and how stably you are managing the rate at which your hair thins over time.

I hope today's discussion has been at least a little helpful for those who were curious about scalp Botox in understanding the treatment.