Desert Health News September-October 2024

www.amaraRA.com www.DesertHealthNews.com September/October 2024 Integrative Medicine The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 13 www.restorehealth.me Ketogenic Weight Loss Functional Medicine Cancer Remission Anti-Aging Live Longer and Healthier — All Naturally Personalized health services offering non-pharmaceutical solutions to reverse disease. Joseph Scherger, MD, MPH Medical Director  Our Specialties Include: Hair Restoration with NEO Graft FUE A revolutionary treatment for restoring thinning and balding hair to its fuller, natural state. Hair Restoration with Microneedling + Exosomes This advanced technique promotes remarkable hair regrowth through deep tissue repair and protein activation while increasing your hair’s thickness, density, and strength. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Balance your hormones to regain energy, improve mood, enhance sleep, and overall well-being. Laser Skin Resurfacing + Skin Tightening Reduce visible signs of aging and achieve a youthful, radiant appearance with our state-of-the-art treatments. Physician-Directed Medical Weight Loss Tailored weight management strategies to help you achieve a healthier weight. Personal Performance Comprehensive, customized treatment plans to restore and boost overall personal performance and pleasure. Regene tive Medicine Transforming Beauty + Wellness Farris Sandhu, M.D. Bio-Idtical Hormone Rlact Thapy As we age, maintaining balanced hormones becomes increasingly crucial to our overall well-being. Hormonal imbalances can lead to a range of symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and a decline in energy. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) oers a natural and personalized solution to restore hormonal balance, helping you regain energy, improve mood, and enhance your overall quality of life. With BHRT, you can embrace aging with con‚dence, knowing that your body’s natural rhythms are supported and optimized for peak health. Book your complimentary consultation and receive 20% off the treatment of your choice. Dr. Sandhu brings her expertise in internal medicine to the forefront of regenerative medicine, combining inner wellness with outer beauty. Founder + CEO Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine Member, Board of Anti-Aging Medicine and American Board of Aesthetics Medicine Visit us at www.AmaraRA.com 760.895.4140 74000 Country Club Drive, Suite G-2 • Palm Desert Hair loss is a common and challenging condition affecting millions worldwide. Hair loss is often associatedwith aging, however, other factors including genetics, hormonal changes, stress and illness can contribute to hair loss at any age. The condition can occur in stages and result in different types of hair thinning and baldness. The impact of COVID on hair loss The global pandemic added another layer to this problem. COVID has been linked to significant hair shedding for many, including younger adults and children. Research has increasingly shown that COVID can lead to telogen effluvium,œ a type of hair loss where a significant number of hairs prematurely enter the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle. The stress of illness, coupled with the body's focus on fighting off the virus, diverts resources away from non-essential functions like hair growth. This condition typically begins two to three months after recovering from COVID and can last for several months.œ Common causes of hair lossž Androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, is the most prevalent cause of hair loss, affecting millions in the U.S. It is primarily driven by genetic factors and hormonal changes, particularly an increased sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In men, it typically manifests as thinning at the temples and crown, eventually leading to baldness. In women, hair loss usually affects the crown and frontal hairline. Hormonal changes. Hormonal fluctuations are another significant contributor, particularly in women. Conditions such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can lead to temporary or permanent hair thinning. The drop in estrogen levels during menopause can accelerate hair loss and change the density of the hair itself. Medical conditions and treatments. Certain medical conditions such as thyroid disease and iron deficiency anemia can lead to hair loss. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy are well-known for causing rapid hair shedding due to their effects on rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles. High stress levels and nutritional deficiencies. High stress levels and inadequate nutrition, particularly deficiencies in iron, protein, biotin or zinc, can also trigger temporaryhair losswhichcanbecomechronic if theunderlying issues arenot addressed. Due to these varying factors, diagnosing the specific cause of hair loss is important to implement the appropriate treatment plan. The effectiveness of treatments varies widely among individuals. The most commonly used are minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia). Minoxidil is a topical solution that helps stimulate hair growth and slow down hair loss and is available over-the-counter. Finasteride is an oral medication that works by reducing DHT levels. It is approved for use in men, but not recommended for women, especially those of childbearing age, due to potential side effects. Both medications demonstrate efficacy, particularly when treatment is started early. However, they both must be continued indefinitely to maintain results as stopping often leads to the resumption of hair loss. Regenerative approaches to hair restoration Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)/red light therapy: LLLT, often referred to as red light therapy when using red wavelengths, involves the use of specific wavelengths of light (typically 630 to 1100 nanometers) to penetrate the scalp and stimulate hair follicles. This non-invasive treatment is FDA-approved for treating hair loss in both men and women and studies show that it can increase hair density and thickness, making it a Understanding Hair Loss By Farris Sandhu, MD promising option for those looking to combat hair thinning. The type of red light used in LLLT is specifically designed to stimulate hair growth, which differs from red light therapies used for other purposes, such as skin treatments.° Microneedling with exosomes: Microneedling involves using fine needles to create micro-channels on the scalp, which stimulates the body's natural healing process. When combined with exosomes—tiny vesicles derived from stem cells that promote cell communication—this treatment can significantly enhance hair growth by activating dormant hair follicles and improving scalp health.± Platelet-richplasma (PRP) therapy: PRPuses concentratedplatelets derived fromthe patient’s own blood and injected into the scalp. Platelets contain growth factors that can stimulate hair growth and improve hair density. PRP is often used in combination with other treatments like microneedling for enhanced results.± NeoGraft FUE (follicular unit extraction): This advanced hair transplantation technique uses FUE to harvest hair follicles individually from areas of the scalp where there is more density, and transfer them to balding areas. The minimally invasive procedure leaves no linear scars and offers a more natural-looking hairline compared to traditional methods.² Hair loss can be challenging, but understanding its causes and exploring available treatment options can be empowering. Consulting with a specialized medical professional is essential to determine the best course of treatment tailored to your individual needs to achieve a fuller, healthier head of hair. Dr. Sandhu is founder and CEO of Amara Regenerative Aesthetics; a Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine; and Member, Board of Anti-Aging Medicine and the American Board of Aesthetics Medicine. She can be reached at (760) 895.4140. For more information visit www.AmaraRA.com . References available upon reXuest.