Dr. Howard Sobel Talks Hair Restoration And Alma TED Technology

Forbes

24-04-2025

Hair loss has long been framed as a male concern—cue the receding hairline jokes, drugstore minoxidil, and late-night infomercials. But let's be real: women are quietly carrying the weight, too. In fact, female hair thinning is one of the most common yet least openly discussed cosmetic concerns today. Blame it on postpartum shifts, stress, hormone imbalances, or the brutal effects of a too-tight ponytail—whatever the cause, the result is often the same: hair that's noticeably less full, less dense, and less cooperative.
Dr. Howard Sobel
Dr. Howard Sobel
Enter Alma TED, the ultrasound-powered hair restoration treatment generating buzz not just for what it does (stimulate regrowth without needles or downtime), but for who it's helping—women, increasingly and enthusiastically. We sat down with Dr. Howard Sobel, pioneer in cosmetic dermatologic surgery, to talk about what makes Alma TED different, why it's a game-changer for women's hair health, and how science is finally catching up with what many women have known for years: hair loss isn't just about vanity, it's about identity.
'The idea that hair loss is purely hereditary and hormone-based is outdated,' says Dr. Sobel. 'There are countless contributing factors—and we're finally treating them with the nuance they deserve.'
Here, Dr. Sobel breaks down the myths, the method, and the magic behind Alma TED—and why it might just be the most game-changing advancement in hair health yet.
I completed my residency in dermatology and dermatologic surgery at Emory University School of Medicine. At that time, I had an extreme interest in male and female pattern baldness. Most dermatologists believed that 90% of hair loss was hereditary and that the hormone testosterone was the cause once it was converted to its active form DHT.
There are of course other causes of hair loss. Additionally, during my residency, I worked with a biochemist to develop a compound to block the hormone DHT. At that time we only had minoxidil, which increased blood flow to the hair follicle and caused the hair follicle to stay in a growing stage for longer. The quest continued, but it soon became apparent that hair loss was multifactorial and not just caused by DHT. Several years ago multiple medications in both oral and topical applications became popular to block DHT along with the use of minoxidil.
What common hair loss concerns do your patients come to you with, and what are the most common causes?
The most common causes include genetics, age, stress, anemia, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, hormonal, cancer medications, nutritional deficiency, pregnancy and traction alopecia. Male pattern baldness the main cause affects men that are genetically predisposed usually after the age of 20 and females 30-35 years of age.
A before and after look at Alma TED
Dr. Howard Sobel
Alma TED uses acoustic sound waves and air pressure to create small micro-channels in the scalp, which allows for better penetration of the applied topical. The results are short of remarkable with a 20-60% increase in hair regrowth with almost everyone noticing less shedding only 3-4 weeks after starting treatment.
Additionally, three to four weeks out, patients will notice an increase in the density of each individual hair. The Alma Ted company supplies the doctor with a topical solution of growth factors and peptides. In my own practice, I have added exosomes to the treatment, which I get from the umbilical cord (derived from umbilical cord blood). The exosomes contain billions of growth factors. The growth factors stimulate the hair follicle, which decrease hair loss, increase hair growth and the density of each hair.
PRP is another minimal invasive treatment for hair loss. You must first have your blood drawn then spin down where the plasma is then injected into the scalp with the growth factors, but not nearly as many growth factors as the exosomes from the umbilical cord.
The acoustic sound waves and air pressure deliver any topical down into the hair follicle to improve hair growth. It also increases blood flow to the hair follicle. It's pain free unlike PRP. Alma TED also works for all types of hair loss and is probably best for androgenic alopecia in either males or females.
To achieve success with Alma TED, it's most important that they still have an active hair follicle or else it will not work.
Three sessions a month apart, then I analyze the degree of patients' hair loss, their age and genetic factors and adjust the sessions to about every two to four months.
The Alma TED can be combined with vitamin supplements, amino acids, and conditioners that are healthy for the hair follicle as the Alma Ted will increase absorption.
Absolutely. It can also be used on the face using exosomes to increase collagen and elastin and decrease fine lines and wrinkles.