What if your next hair doctor wasn’t a person—but an algorithm? From editing our selfies to recommending skincare, artificial intelligence (AI) is already shaping how we see and care for ourselves. So it’s no surprise that it’s now making its way into one of beauty’s most personal concerns: hair loss. 

At a recent beauty talk showcasing high-tech hair treatments, I couldn’t help but wonder—how much of this is hype, and how much is real progress? In the Philippines and beyond, AI is quietly entering the world of hair care and restoration, promising smarter diagnoses, personalized regimens, and even help with surgical procedures. But does it deliver?

How AI is Helping Treat Hair Loss

According to a 2021 article in Dermatologic Therapy, AI can be used to diagnose hair disorders through image classification, with accuracy that can be on par with a highly-trained dermatologist. In AI speak, this is called deep learning. Think of it as a kind of advanced image analysis, where AI doesn’t just see an image—it comprehends it, analyzing everything in seconds and sharing an assessment.

Revieve, a beauty and wellness technology platform that partners with hair care brands like Living Proof, makes use of deep learning to offer personalized routines, product recommendations, and scalp health analysis that can help with hair restoration—all from a selfie.

What the Experts Are Saying

Julieta Peralta Arambulo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and a hair transplant specialist, has been using AI to assist her in non-surgical hair treatments.

“By capturing detailed, high-resolution images with 200x magnification and processing them through AI, we can identify subtle changes over time that may not be visible to the naked eye,” she says.

HairMetrix

She performs trichoscopy—a scalp imaging technique—with the first AI-driven tool called HairMetrix, which detects and analyzes even the tiniest improvements in real-time. This means no more guessing—just precise, data-backed insights into hair density, thickness, growth patterns, and follicular health.

TrichoScan

TrichoScan—another non-invasive AI-powered tech for hair restoration therapy—measures hair density, thickness, and growth cycles to track progress and optimize results, but currently works best on short, dyed hair.

Surgical Uses of AI: Still in Progress

For surgical routes, Dr. Peralta Arambulo shares that AI is still finding its footing when it comes to hair transplants—but it plays a key role in supporting surgeons through tricky procedures like extracting hair grafts.

“Robotic systems are a prime example of how AI is being applied to improve both the speed and accuracy of graft extraction,” she adds. But despite all the wonders it can do, AI-driven hair transplants aren’t everywhere just yet. The technology is expensive, requires special training, and still relies on the artistic eye of an experienced surgeon.

Is AI the Future of Hair Restoration?

I have to admit it—sure, AI is a helpful tool, but it’s most definitely not a replacement for the skill and expertise of professionals. While it’s cool to try out new tech, I’d still trust my doctor’s advice over an algorithm’s.

Just like every evolving technology, it’s not without its challenges. A 2023 article recognizes that these high-tech systems thrive on data. And if that data isn’t top-tier—think poorly-labeled or biased—AI’s accuracy takes a hit. That means misdiagnoses, questionable treatment recommendations, and a whole lot of confusion for both doctors and patients.

Another hurdle? The fear that AI could replace dermatologists altogether. While AI can analyze scalp conditions with insane precision, the American Academy of Dermatology makes it clear—these tools should assist, not take over.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for AI in Haircare?

As AI continues to shake up the field of hair care and restoration, it’s also clear it still has a long way to go. So, where’s it headed next?

Sampo Parkkinen, CEO and founder of Revieve, predicts it will be all about hyper-personalization. AI will use genetic data, health insights, and personal preferences to create treatments tailored to its users—and possibly even prevent hair loss before it starts.

He also envisions DNA-powered haircare, AI-crafted treatments, and even bespoke product blends tailored to your scalp’s every need.

Final Thoughts: In Tech We Trust?

The future of AI and hair restoration seems bright, but it still has a long way to go. That being said, AI should be a helping hand, not the final say. The key is balance: combining cutting-edge technology with human expertise to get the best results.

As AI-powered tools evolve, hair restoration specialists need to stay involved, ensuring these advancements remain reliable, effective, and, most importantly, patient-centered.

So, are AI-assisted hair restoration treatments worth the try? I’d say it’s promising. While it’s not a magic fix (yet—who knows?), with the way things are headed, your hair’s future is likely to be in good hands. Or should I say, in good algorithms?

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