The first thing you think of when you hear the word ozone isn’t hair. Ozone is a layer of gas that has more to do with the Earth’s atmosphere. Without it, there would be no life. However, ozone isn’t just confined to the upper atmosphere; it can also be found at the ground level, where it has found many uses, including medicinal ones.
Known as ozone therapy, one of its applications is for hair in which follicles are flushed with ozone molecules to promote growth. But does ozone therapy for hair work? Let’s find out.
What Is Ozone Therapy?
Ozone therapy is an alternative treatment that’s used for the treatment of various illnesses. For instance, it has been used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of the following:
- Chronic wounds
- Heart diseases
- Diabetes
- Herniated discs
- HIV
- Cancer
- Wound disinfection
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Arthritis
There are several benefits believed to be associated with this treatment, including:
- Strengthening of the immune system
- Improvement in the function of the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell)
- Enhancement in anti-cancer mechanisms
- Reduction in the harmful effects of smoking
- Provision of protection against infections as well as acting directly against them
- Reduction in lower back and spine pain
- Alleviation of fibromyalgia (muscle knot) pain
As well, it is said to lower the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and be helpful in the treatment of insulin resistance. It may also provide support in the detoxification of the liver and help speed up the healing of wounds. There have even been uses for it in anti-ageing.
Ozone Therapy for Hair: Why Is It Used?
There are said to be several benefits to hair health associated with ozone therapy, including:
Increase in Blood Circulation
When applied to the scalp, ozone therapy boosts blood circulation, supplying more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. This can, in turn, allow them to grow stronger and healthier.
Improvement in Hair Quality
Ozone therapy can also be used to enhance hair quality, reduce hair loss, and give existing hair a fuller appearance. Even its regular applications before and after a hair transplant surgery can help make results more long-lasting.
Strengthening of Hair Follicles
By increasing the amount of oxygen reaching hair follicles, ozone therapy can strengthen the follicles. Additionally, it promotes the elimination of toxins from the skin, supporting a healthier scalp.
How Is Ozone Therapy For Hair Done?
Since inhalation of ozone can be dangerous, there are devices available in the market that generate ozone. And for treating hair loss, clinics usually use ozone in the following way:
- Draw blood from the patient
- Mix ozone with the blood
- Reinject “ozonated” blood into the patient
Some clinics also use IV ozonised saline for this purpose. Usually, multiple sessions of this treatment are recommended (each session lasting for less than 30 minutes) for the patients to get results.
It can also be recommended with a hair transplant to speed up the recovery process. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and swelling on the skin while accelerating cell regeneration.
Additionally, since ozone therapy has antibacterial and antifungal properties, it can reduce the risk of infection following hair transplantation, contributing to a clean and healthy healing area.
Post-transplant ozone therapy can lead to faster healing and healthier hair follicles. However, the effectiveness of the treatment can vary from person to person, so make sure to consult an experienced and qualified medical doctor.
Does Ozone Therapy For Hair Really Work?
There is some research to suggest that ozone therapy can be beneficial for the hair. One study published in Panminerva Medica found an improvement in the hair cycles of individuals suffering from androgenetic alopecia who were treated with “ozonized autohaemotherapy” — meaning a process in which blood is drawn, ozonised and reinjected into the same patient.
In a case study published in the Brazilian Journal of Health Review, a patient who had experienced tissue death following hair transplantation was also able to benefit from the administration of ozone, leading to a “complete repair.”
According to some, ozone can be beneficial not only for androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) but also for seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. Some even go as far as to say that ozone therapy can treat dandruff, frizz, and split ends by “revitalising” and “nourishing” hair, leaving it soft and shiny.
Still, there have also been some contradictory reports on the benefits of ozone therapy for hair, which is why it is essential that you discuss the pros and cons of this treatment with your doctor beforehand.
Is Ozone For Hair Safe?
It is important that you choose the right medical practitioner for getting an ozone treatment for your hair because exposure to the gas can cause problems, such as nausea, vomiting, asthma, headaches, lung damage, chest pain, respiratory infection, visual problems, etc. Even if you’re thinking about buying any ozonated oils and ozone combs, make sure to ask your doctor whether it is safe to do so.
How Much Does Ozone Treatment For Hair Cost?
A single session of ozone therapy for hair can cost you anywhere between £300-1,000 in the UK. There are different techniques, like 5-pass and 10-pass ozone, which use a special machine and cost more. A single session of those can cost you anywhere between £500-1,000. And since you’ll be recommended multiple sessions of each, the total could be £1,000-5,000.
It is possible for you to get ozone treatment for hair more affordably within Turkey, where a single session might cost you around £150-£250. Turkey is generally cheaper, especially compared to the UK, due to the relatively lower cost of living in the country as well as currency exchange.
Conclusion
Ozone therapy might work to improve the health, growth and quality of your hair. While the treatment is offered standalone, similar to platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), it might also be recommended in conjunction with a hair transplant to reduce the risk of certain post-op complications and support the healing of the scalp. However, in any case, make sure you choose a qualified, experienced and board-certified medical doctor to undergo this treatment and discuss all its risks and benefits with them.
