For a long time, conversations around hair loss in aesthetic medicine have centred on male pattern baldness.1 The patient profile, however, is much broader, including women in their forties and fifties navigating perimenopause and menopause and presenting with changes in hair density, thickness and texture.2 Add to this stress-related shedding and a hair thinning becomes a much broader concern in the consultation room than male pattern baldness alone.3 “ We have at least 10 hair loss inquiries a day, either as a primary concern, or secondary to the main reason for the visit, which is skyrocketed over the past few years”, says Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD, Co-Founder of KeraFactor
This is prompting a shift in the clinical conversation, not just around who experiences hair thinning, but why it happens and how practitioners can respond without overpromising a cure. KeraFactor, with its dedicated at-home range and potential to be integrated with in-clinic technologies such as the 1927nm thulium laser, offers an approach that bridges professional treatment with ongoing scalp and hair care at home.
Hair Thinning Isn't Just a Male Concern
Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a progressive form of hair thinning, typically affecting the frontal, central and side areas of the scalp.4 FPHL is more common than the aesthetic industry's historical focus on men might suggest. Prevalence increases with age, from approximately 3-12% among women in their late twenties and thirties to 14-28% in postmenopausal women in their fifties, rising further to 29-56% among women aged 70 and over.5 One review found that both FPHL and telogen effluvium (a separate condition characterised by diffuse hair shedding) were common in postmenopausal women, with one study reporting FPHL in more than half of the women assessed.2
For many of these women, hair thinning isn't simply a cosmetic afterthought. Changes in hair density, appearance and manageability can significantly affect psychological wellbeing, contributing to stress, anxiety and reduced self-esteem.2 “Women in their 50s, 60s and 70s are still highly active and visible in their careers, families and communities. For many, hair thinning can feel like a very public manifestation of ageing that doesn't reflect how vibrant, capable and youthful they still feel,” says Lauren Bartholomeusz, CCO of KeraFactor. Importantly, these changes rarely occur in isolation. At a time when women may already be navigating hot flushes, disrupted sleep, mood changes and other symptoms of the menopausal transition, changes to their hair can add another visible and emotionally significant dimension to an already complex period of physiological change. “Women in their 50’s through 70’s are still highly active and visible at work in their communities. They view hair loss as a public manifestation of age that they don’t feel is consistent with who they are.”
Why Hair Thinning Increases Around Menopause
The hair follicle is an estrogen sensitive tissue and the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause directly affect it.2 As ovarian oestrogen production declines, lower oestrogen levels may negatively affect the metabolic health of the hair follicle.2 These changes can influence the hair cycle and contribute to reductions in hair density and thickness.2
As estrogen levels decline during menopause, the relative influence of androgens can also increase. Androgen binding to receptors on the scalp can also contribute to follicular miniaturisation, gradually converting thicker hairs into finer, shorter hairs.2 “Up unitl now, estrogen replacement was shrouded by concerns about increased breast cancer incidence that has been found to be only for a small minority of patients. It is possible that earlier HRT will lead to less hair loss in older age, and many women also want to avoid any hormonal manipulation for fear of side effects.” says Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD, Co-Founder of KeraFactor
The Role of Psychological Stress
Hormonal change, however, is only one factor capable of disrupting the hair growth cycle. For patients experiencing more sudden or diffuse shedding, as can occur with telogen effluvium (TE), psychological stress may be another important piece of the puzzle.3 TE can occur following physiological or psychological stressors, including childbirth, illness and periods of significant emotional stress.3 Psychological stress can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, pushing follicles prematurely from the active growth phase into the resting and subsequent shedding phase. Increased cortisol and inflammatory signalling are thought to play a role, helping to explain why noticeable shedding can sometimes appear following a particularly stressful period.3 Elevated cortisol may also reduce levels of nerve growth factor, a neurotrophin that plays an important role in hair follicle homeostasis, with lower levels associated with hair thinning.3” “Also low iron stores, Vitamin D and thyroid can play a role in TE.” says Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD, Co-Founder of KeraFactor
Where KeraFactor Fits
KeraFactor was developed specifically to support growth factor signalling associated with hair and scalp health. Its patented formula combines a proprietary blend of biomimetic growth factors and skin proteins designed to mimic the signalling functions of growth factors naturally involved in follicle health and the hair growth cycle. This is particularly relevant in the context of the factors discussed above, with hormones including oestrogen and cortisol capable of influencing growth factor signalling within the hair follicle.3,6
The at-home KeraFactor range, which includes the Scalp Stimulating Solution alongside a scalp focused shampoo and conditioner, extends this approach beyond the clinic and into daily hair and scalp care.7 The Scalp Stimulating Solution contains six biomimetic growth factors, two skin proteins and two additional compounds, delivered in high concentrations using a nano-liposome carrier designed to enhance absorption. “These peptides and proteins comprehensively address all four stages of hair growth at a consistent concentration, to ensure maximum hair growth support.” says Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD, Co-Founder of KeraFactor
This at-home component is particularly relevant for the patient population described above. Hair thinning associated with hormonal change or stress is unlikely to be addressed by a single in-clinic session, making ongoing support an important part of the broader approach. “Hair and scalp care really needs to be viewed as an ongoing routine, much like skincare. What patients do consistently at home between appointments can be an important part of supporting the scalp environment and maintaining healthy-looking hair over time,” says Lauren Bartholomeusz, CCO of KeraFactor. An evidence based daily routine not only extends hair and scalp care between clinic visits but provides an accessible entry point for patients who may not yet feel comfortable pursuing an in-clinic treatment. For a concern that can significantly affect confidence and psychological wellbeing, the ability to begin supporting hair and scalp health privately, at home, may be particularly valuable.
Combining KeraFactor with 1927nm Technology
The case for combining KeraFactor with energy-based treatment is not just theoretical. A split scalp study evaluating a 1927nm fractionated thulium laser found that 12 sessions of laser treatment significantly increased hair density and thickness in patients with pattern hair loss. Importantly, applying a growth factor containing solution immediately after laser treatment produced additional improvements in both density and thickness compared with laser treatment alone.8
This combination also forms the basis of KeraLase, an in-clinic protocol pairing 1927nm thulium laser treatment with a topical growth factor formulation. In a small pilot study of 10 patients with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia, the protocol produced statistically significant increases in hair density and diameter over the six month study period.9 While preliminary, these findings provide early KeraFactor-specific clinical evidence for an approach combining 1927nm laser treatment with growth factor based scalp care.
The rationale centres on laser assisted delivery. Fractional 1927nm treatment creates microscopic treatment zones that temporarily disrupt the skin barrier, facilitating the delivery of subsequently applied topical actives.8,9 This provides the rationale for applying the KeraFactor growth factor formulation immediately following laser treatment. Together, this lends itself to a complementary approach, pairing 1927nm treatment with KeraFactor in clinic with ongoing hair and scalp care through the KeraFactor at-home range between sessions. “Our current protocol is monthly for 6 months for this pairing; patients really start to see the improvement at 3 months, sometimes sooner, and become really committed to the combo therapy by 6.” says Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD, Co-Founder of KeraFactor
A Broader Opportunity in Hair Health
Hair thinning is no longer a conversation centred on male pattern baldness alone. From the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause to stress-related shedding, the patients presenting with hair concerns are increasingly diverse. The treatment conversation needs to evolve with them. KeraFactor extends that conversation beyond the clinic, giving patients a dedicated at-home approach to hair and scalp care. For practitioners, it represents an opportunity to move beyond a single treatment and towards a more considered, accessible approach to managing thinning hair.
About Cryomed Aesthetics
Cryomed Aesthetics is a leading distributor of globally recognised aesthetic technologies, injectables and cosmeceuticals across Australia and New Zealand. Since 2013, Cryomed has partnered with the world's leading suppliers to bring innovative solutions to market, supported by comprehensive regulatory, technical, clinical education, marketing and customer service expertise. Part of the EBOS Group, Cryomed serves more than 9,500 customers across the ANZ region and is committed to advancing patient outcomes through innovation, education and trusted partnerships.
Cryomed Aesthetics is the exclusive distributor of SOWAVE across Australia and New Zealand.
To learn more visit https://www.cryomed.com.au/pages/kerafactor
References:
1. Jankowski GS, Frith H. Psychology’s medicalization of male baldness. Journal of Health Psychology. 2022;27(9):2161-2180. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13591053211024724
2. Gupta AK, Economopoulos V, Mann A, Wang T, Mirmirani P. Menopause and hair loss in women: Exploring the hormonal transition. Maturitas. 2025 Jul;198:108378. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40318238/
3. Bai JQA, McMullen E, Sibbald C, Dumont S, Mainville L, Julanon N, Donovan J. The role of psychological stress in hair loss: a review. JAAD Rev. 2026;7:9-19. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950198925000947
4. Bhat YJ, Saqib NU, Latif I, Hassan I. Female Pattern Hair Loss-An Update. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2020 Jul 13;11(4):493-501. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7413422/
5. Carmina E, Azziz R, Bergfeld W, et al. Female pattern hair loss and androgen excess: a report from the Multidisciplinary Androgen Excess and PCOS Committee. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019;104(7):2875-2891. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/104/7/2875/5342938
6. Toran-Allerand CD. The estrogen/neurotrophin connection during neural development: is co-localization of estrogen receptors with the neurotrophins and their receptors biologically relevant? Dev Neurosci. 1996;18(1-2):36-48. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8840085/
7. Cryomed Aesthetics. KeraFactor Scalp Stimulating Solution. https://www.cryomed.com.au/products/kerafactor-scalp-stimulating-solution-pack-of-6
8. Cho SB, Goo BL, Zheng Z, Yoo KH, Kang JS, Kim H. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of a 1927-nm fractionated thulium laser on pattern hair loss: an evaluator-blinded, split-scalp study. Lasers Med Sci. 2018 May;33(4):851-859. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29340854/
9. Taub AF, Calderhead RG, Li J. Fractional thulium laser combined with a topical growth factor serum increases hair density and thickness in male and female androgenic alopecia: a pilot study. Hair Transplant Forum Int. 2022;32(2):48-51. https://www.ishrs-htforum.org/content/32/2/48