Published on 23, Feb 2024

Seattle-based clinic seeks to disrupt the traditional hair restoration industry
- Root Hair Institute tackles hair loss in new ways
- Seattle clinic evens playing field for hair loss
- Personalized hair loss care arrives in Seattle

Root Hair Institute provides evidence-based personalized care to individuals with hair loss from all backgrounds including  those from historically overlooked demographics in the hair restoration space.

Rahil Roopani, MD (left) and Natalie Kash, MD, FAAD (right) are the doctors behind the efforts of Root Hair Institute to make hair restoration transparent, comprehensive, and inviting to all regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, and age | Photo credit: Root Hair Institute

Hair loss has a long and storied history that dates back to the BCE times. It’s an affliction that has both caused personal suffering to millions of people and raised scientific curiosity about its causes and possible treatments. Given the commonly associated emotional toll, many individuals suffering from hair loss are highly motivated to address their hair loss, especially through financial means. Many companies have and continue to advertise solutions with many having little to no evidence supporting their use. They may also use testimonials from individuals whose hair loss would likely have improved on its own. One common example of this is postpartum hair loss, which will often resolve on its own as long as there are no underlying conditions or other forms of hair loss at play. 

Additionally, historically men, and particularly middle-aged to older white men, have been the target of hair restoration companies through national hair surgery chains and late night infomercials. By looking at marketing and advertisements strategies, one can get the impression that hair loss is only a problem that affects 60- to 70- year-old white men. In reality, hair loss is extremely common and affects individuals of all ethnicities, all genders, and presents across multiple age groups. 

For example, while it’s true that over half of men suffer from androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss, approximately 40% of women by the age of 50 also suffer from the disorder. The incidence of the condition is highest among Caucasians followed by African-Americans, Asians, and then least commonly among Native American and Alaska Native individuals. This proves how important it is for the public to understand how hair loss can occur among different ethnicities and that treatments are available. 

With all of these limitations of the traditional hair restoration industry in mind, two doctors in the field were determined to change the status quo. Dr. Natalie Kash, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained hair restoration surgeon, and Dr. Rahil Roopani, a fellowship-trained hair restoration surgeon, came together and founded Root Hair Institute (RHI) in Bellevue, Washington to help provide truly transparent and comprehensive care to women, men, non-binary and transitioning individuals.

As experts in the field, they were very aware of how indiscriminately hair loss can strike and how this can negatively impact someone’s quality of life. The hair industry can be clouded by a lot of misinformation, so they have a mission to deliver clear and evidence-based treatment options. The doctors are dedicated to educating patients on their specific hair loss condition and treatment options, so that they’re empowered to choose which path is right for them. This is part of their commitment to reinforcing patient-doctor relationships. 

Many clinics in recent years have strayed away from building strong doctor-patient relationships in favor of maximizing profit by filtering their prospective clients through a sales consultant first. With hair loss treatments earning $3.9 billion in revenue as of 2022, it’s clear how lucrative the field is. This means that many patients at other practices are unable to meet with their surgeon prior to the day of surgery, which can potentially lead to unease, miscommunication, and unrealistic expectations for their procedure.

“This didn’t feel right to us,” comments Dr. Kash, “as we believe that first contact between patients and their physicians is crucial. We empower our patients and educate them so that they have the knowledge they need to take the right steps for them. We want to make sure they are in control of their restoration journey.” 

“It’s rare nowadays to have physician leaders who are involved and lead every facet of business in addition to providing top-notch patient care. This is a huge advantage as it ensures that patients come first in everything we do including non-medical decisions like our website, advertising, and clinic design.” adds Dr. Roopani.

The clinic’s clean and modern waiting room designed to make all feel welcome and assured that they are receiving top-of-the-line modern care | Courtesy of Root Hair Institute

RHI provides those with hair loss a broad spectrum of non-invasive hair loss treatments, including oral and topical medication and red light therapy, as well as procedural therapies such as scalp injections and hair transplant surgery. While surgical hair restoration is often an option for many individuals, RHI makes sure that clients fully understand their options before proceeding with this step. The clinic’s other services include growth factor injections, in-office scalp treatments, and scalp micropigmentation among others.

“It’s rare to have physicians lead every facet of business in addition to providing top-notch patient care.” adds Dr. Roopani.

By having both board-certified dermatologists and hair restoration surgeons available to provide collaborative and comprehensive care under one roof, RHI is able to provide personalized treatment plans that best addresses each patient’s unique needs, lifestyle, and type of hair loss. This is especially important as the company stresses that hair loss is a long-term problem that requires long-term plans and solutions.

The hair restoration industry has been fragmented, clouded by misinformation, and historically targeted a limited demographic. In recent years, hair loss treatment has largely become a profit-first industry with sales-driven business practices and often less than ideal patient care. By establishing Root Hair Institute in the Greater Seattle area, Drs. Kash and Roopani seek to change that, and they hope that the entire industry follows their lead.