Topical treatments for the scalp all run into the same obstacle. Skin is built to keep things out, and most of what gets applied to the surface never travels far enough to matter. That is why the delivery method behind a topical treatment can matter as much as the formula itself.
The DE|RIVE® Ultra+ Protocol is a non-invasive, in-office hair restoration treatment designed to support healthier, fuller-looking hair using ultrasound infusion technology and a plant-based scalp serum. The treatment pairs the DE|RIVE® serum with the Ultra+ ultrasound handpiece to help optimize topical absorption into the scalp.
The protocol is designed to:
Support scalp health
Support a calmer, better-hydrated scalp environment
Enhance the appearance of thinning hair
What Is the DE|RIVE® Ultra+ Protocol?
DE|RIVE® Ultra+ is a non-surgical, non-invasive hair restoration treatment that combines two components: a hormone-free, plant-based scalp serum and an ultrasound handpiece that assists absorption of that serum into the scalp.
It does not involve microneedling, injections, or prescription medication. A full in-office session takes approximately one hour.
DE|RIVE® is also built as a home-care system. In-office sessions are paired with a specially formulated shampoo, leave-in conditioner, and serum for daily use at home.
What Can I Expect During Treatment?
Treatment is performed in our office in three steps.
1. Scalp preparation.
The scalp is cleansed and prepared to remove buildup and optimize serum absorption.
2. DE|RIVE® serum application.
A plant-based, hormone-free serum is applied directly to the treatment areas.
3. Ultra+ ultrasound infusion.
The Ultra+ handpiece uses low-frequency ultrasound technology to help enhance penetration of the serum into the scalp and to support scalp health.
There are no needles and no injections at any point in the treatment. Many patients describe the treatment as relaxing and soothing, similar to a warm hot stone massage for the scalp.
Patients typically return to work and resume normal daily activities immediately following the appointment. We ask that patients avoid strenuous activity and exercise for the rest of the day so the serum can absorb fully into the scalp, and avoid direct sun exposure to the scalp for approximately 12 hours after treatment.
Why We Pair In-Office Treatment With Home Care
One treatment alone rarely provides the best long-term outcome. Hair grows in cycles, and supporting that process takes consistency.
That is why DE|RIVE® includes professional in-office treatments along with specially formulated shampoo, conditioner, and hair serum for home use. Think of the office treatments as giving the scalp a boost, while the home products help maintain a healthy scalp environment every day.
Patients may continue at home using the DE|RIVE® take-home serum, shampoo, and leave-in conditioner as part of a recommended maintenance regimen.
Take-home products are available for purchase separately and are not included in the price of the in-office treatment.
Recommended Treatment Series
Treatment plans are set during a consultation and depend on the cause and pattern of hair loss. A typical DE|RIVE® Ultra+ course looks like this:
An initial series of three to six treatments
Treatments spaced approximately four weeks apart
Maintenance sessions recommended approximately every six months
Advantages of DE|RIVE® Ultra+
DE|RIVE® Ultra+ is non-invasive and involves no incisions, no injections, and no microneedling. The serum is hormone-free and plant-based. Sessions are performed in our office in about an hour, and patients resume normal activities the same day, aside from strenuous activity and exercise.
Because the treatment is topical and non-surgical, it can also sit alongside other treatments in a broader plan rather than replacing them. DE|RIVE® is often incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan and can be used in combination with other in-office therapies or with surgical hair restoration.
Is DE|RIVE® Ultra+ Right for Me?
That is a question best answered at a consultation, because the right treatment depends on what is causing the hair loss and how far it has progressed.
Broadly, DE|RIVE® is most often considered for patients with thinning hair rather than for areas where follicles have stopped producing hair entirely. It is an option for both men and women. Patients being evaluated for postpartum shedding and for certain forms of alopecia are among those who may be candidates, though these are evaluated individually and are not all approached the same way.
Dr. Higgins evaluates the scalp, reviews history, and recommends a plan drawn from the full range of options available at the practice. Sometimes that plan is DE|RIVE® on its own. Sometimes it is DE|RIVE® combined with something else. Sometimes it is a different treatment altogether.
Can DE|RIVE® Replace a Hair Transplant?
This is probably one of the most common questions we hear. The answer depends on where a patient is in the hair loss process.
If a significant amount of hair has already been lost and the follicles are no longer producing hair, a transplant is usually the best option, because we can’t bring back follicles that no longer exist.
In the earlier stages of thinning, DE|RIVE® may help support the hair that is still growing. Sometimes the best treatment plan includes both.
Every patient is different, which is why we don’t recommend the same treatment for everyone.
How We Use DE|RIVE® at PNW Hair Restoration
One of the advantages of visiting a practice dedicated exclusively to hair restoration is that we have multiple treatment options available.
Sometimes DE|RIVE® is exactly what a patient needs. Other times we may recommend combining it with photobiomodulation therapy, prescription medication, or a hair transplant as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan.
Our recommendations are always based on what is most likely to help a patient achieve the best long-term outcome, not simply on offering the newest treatment available.
Why We Added DE|RIVE® to Our Practice
We are selective about the technology we bring into the practice. New is not the same as better, and a treatment has to earn a place in the plan before we offer it to patients.
“When evaluating new technology, I ask myself one question: would I feel comfortable recommending this to my own family?”
– Dr. Andy Higgins, PNW Hair Restoration
We added DE|RIVE® because it provides patients with another non-surgical option that aligns with our philosophy of treating hair loss as early as possible.
Not every patient needs surgery. Some simply need the right plan to preserve and strengthen the hair they still have. Having that option allows us to provide more personalized care and meet patients wherever they are in their hair restoration journey.
DE|RIVE® MD Hair Wellness System
The DE|RIVE® MD Hair Wellness System is a complete, plant-based hair and scalp care system designed to nourish, protect, and hydrate hair from root to tip. The three products are formulated to work together to support healthier, stronger-looking hair and overall scalp health.
Cellular Support Shampoo
250 mL / 8.5 oz
A plant-based shampoo designed to gently cleanse while supporting a healthy scalp environment and nourishing the hair.
Hair Support Serum
60 mL / 2.03 oz
A concentrated leave-in treatment designed to nourish the scalp and support the health, strength, and appearance of the hair.
Leave-In Conditioner
150 mL / 5.7 oz
A lightweight, nourishing formula that helps hydrate, protect, and improve the feel and manageability of the hair without requiring rinsing.
DE|RIVE® has been honored by The Aesthetic Awards as Best in Industry: Nonsurgical Innovation, two years in a row.
To Purchase
DE|RIVE® MD products are available directly through PNW Hair Restoration.
Call: 503-941-5029
Email: info@pnwhairrestoration.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DE|RIVE® Ultra+ painful?
Most patients describe the treatment as comfortable and relaxing. Because ultrasound is used to help deliver the serum, there are no needles or injections involved.
Is there any downtime?
Patients typically return to work and their normal daily activities immediately after the appointment. We ask that patients skip strenuous activity and exercise for the rest of the day, and keep the scalp out of direct sun for approximately 12 hours following treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
That depends on the cause and severity of the hair loss. A typical initial course is three to six treatments spaced about four weeks apart, but we will recommend a schedule at your consultation that is appropriate for your goals.
Can women benefit from DE|RIVE® Ultra+?
Yes. We treat both men and women experiencing hair thinning, and many women are strong candidates for this treatment.
Can DE|RIVE® be combined with other treatments?
Yes. DE|RIVE® can complement other hair restoration treatments and is often incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan, including alongside a hair transplant.
Begin Your Hair Restoration Journey Today
If you are noticing thinning hair, DE|RIVE® Ultra+ may be one of the options worth discussing. We are happy to review DE|RIVE® along with other surgical and non-surgical treatments at an in-person or virtual consultation. Contact us today to begin your journey with PNW Hair Restoration.
Financing is available through Cherry, PatientFi, and CareCredit. Learn more on our financing page.
*MODEL, NOT A REAL PATIENT
