From decoding your DNA to regenerating follicles, dermatologists say the next wave of hair treatments will be rooted in science, not oils and superstitions.
Published Nov 19, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 19, 2025 | 8:00 AM
Dr Kavish Chouhan and Dr Madhavi Reddy discussed the future of hair restoration.
Synopsis: At the Dakshin Health Summit 2025, dermatologists Dr Kavish Chouhan and Dr Madhavi Reddy discussed how the future of hair restoration is shifting from trial-and-error solutions to precision-based, regenerative treatments powered by genetics and stem cell technology.
The next breakthrough in treating hair loss may not come from a bottle or a laser but from your own DNA. At the Dakshin Health Summit 2025, organised by South First at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in Hyderabad on Sunday, 9 November, dermatologists Dr Kavish Chouhan and Dr Madhavi Reddy discussed how the future of hair restoration is shifting from trial-and-error solutions to precision-based, regenerative treatments powered by genetics and stem cell technology.
“We’re entering an era where hair loss treatment will be personalised based on your genetic profile, not guesswork,” said Dr Kavish Chouhan, one of India’s leading trichologists and hair transplant surgeons.
Dr Chouhan revealed that his team developed a comprehensive genetic analysis for hair loss, designed to identify which molecular pathways are responsible for each patient’s condition.
“Until now, we’ve been treating hair loss using patterns and probabilities,” he explained. “With genetic testing, we’ll know exactly which genes or enzymes are influencing a person’s response to treatment,”
Current therapies, such as minoxidil, work effectively in only about half of patients, largely because of individual genetic differences. A gene known as SULT1A1, for instance, determines whether a person can metabolise topical minoxidil effectively.
“Instead of waiting six months to see if something works, we’ll soon know in advance what will work for whom,” Dr Chouhan said. “That’s a paradigm shift.”
Dakshin Health Summit 2025. (Supplied)
While platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been a popular option in recent years, experts say the field is now moving towards more advanced regenerative methods, including exosome therapy and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) treatments.
“PRP was just the beginning,” said Dr Reddy. “Exosomes, the signalling molecules that help cells communicate and stem-cell-based autologous therapies are showing even more promise.”
Autologous stem cell therapy, where a patient’s own stem cells are extracted and reintroduced into the scalp, is now being used in several clinical settings worldwide.
“We’re already using stem cells derived from the patient’s own tissue, not from plants or other species,” Dr Chouhan clarified. “That’s the right and ethical way forward.”
Even surgical hair restoration is becoming smarter and less invasive. Dr Chouhan pointed to Long Hair FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), a newer technique that allows surgeons to transplant hair without shaving the donor area.
“Long Hair FUE is changing the patient experience,” he said. “There’s no downtime, no visible trimming, and the results are immediate and natural-looking. This is the future of hair transplant surgery.”
Both dermatologists agreed that as science advances, the goal is to move away from marketing-driven claims and toward data-driven solutions.
“Every year we see new serums, peptides, and devices,” said Dr Reddy. “But the real progress is in personalised medicine, knowing what’s happening at a genetic and cellular level”
Dr Chouhan added that this shift will also reduce frustration among patients who spend years switching between products. “When we can match treatment to biology, results will be faster, safer, and more predictable,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
