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Dermatologists Presented Hair Loss Treatment Advances

Experts reviewed new surgical and medical therapies for hair regrowth at a recent symposium in San Diego.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Men’s Health

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a glass vial and a metallic medical instrument, representing advancements in dermatological scalp therapy.
Dermatologists at a San Diego symposium reviewed advancements in medical and surgical hair loss treatments to improve patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you consider a medical treatment for hair loss if it carries risks of side effects?

Dermatologist Marc Avram presented a range of medical and surgical hair loss treatments to address patient concerns regarding side effects and compliance. The overview included updates on established medications and newer technological interventions for pattern hair loss.

Why it matters

Patients frequently struggle to maintain consistent daily medication routines for hair regrowth due to potential side effects. Experts use combination therapies and newer technologies to improve outcomes while minimizing adverse impacts like those associated with oral medications.

A 2021 study recorded hypertrichosis in 15.1% of patients on low-dose oral minoxidil, while headaches and insomnia occurred at rates of 0.4% and 0.2% respectively. Meanwhile, a 2024 FDA-cleared fractional laser showed a 13%-16% increase in follicular units.

The players

Marc Avram

Marc Avram is a dermatologist based in New York City who specializes in medical and surgical hair loss treatments.

The details

Treatments discussed include topical minoxidil, the only FDA-approved medication for both male and female-pattern hair loss, and surgical options like follicular unit extraction. Dermatologists also utilize platelet-rich plasma therapy over 3-4 monthly sessions to address androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Timeline

  1. A 2018 review examined low-level laser therapy.

  2. A 2020 review analyzed platelet-rich plasma therapy.

  3. A 2021 study on low-dose oral minoxidil was published.

  4. The FDA cleared a fractional laser for hair loss in 2024.

  5. The Masters of Aesthetics Symposium was held in September 2026.

Health Landscape

This presentation follows the pattern of evidence-based reporting established by clinical studies published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. These updates signal a broader move toward refining multi-modal approaches to reduce reliance on long-term systemic medications.

Patients may find relief in knowing that therapies like topical minoxidil require 8-12 months of consistent use to be effective, necessitating patience in daily routines. Those concerned about persistent effects on mood or sexual function should discuss individual risks of finasteride or oral minoxidil with a provider.

The takeaway

Advancements in hair restoration are increasingly focused on combining therapies to maximize results while minimizing daily burdens for the patient. Consulting with a specialist remains critical to navigating the trade-offs between surgical interventions and long-term pharmacological treatment.

Further reading

For more information on current treatment standards, visit the Men’s Health section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.

Live Poll

Would you consider a medical treatment for hair loss if it carries risks of side effects?