PRP Hair Rejuvenation

Losing your hair at any age can be distressing.  Millions of Americans suffer hair loss, which can lower self-esteem and make you feel old and unhappy with your appearance. Some of the most common causes of hair loss in men and women include, genetics, lifestyle habits, diet, and medication.  Many people facing hair loss resort to medicated solutions and the latest technologies to regrow their hair, but results are not consistent and may not work for everyone.  The board certified dermatologists at Premier Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, offers PRP for hair loss.  Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a substance found in the blood which contains a high concentration of growth factors. Growth factors can stimulate the follicles to be come active again which, in turn, helps the hair grow back stronger and thicker.  It’s a simple and relatively painless in-office procedure that has produced impressive results for many of our patients to date.

The treatment begins with a blood draw right in our office. We put the blood into a centrifuge to separate the plasma from the blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can then be drawn into a syringe which is applied to the scalp in areas that are showing signs of balding or premature balding. PRP goes deep into the skin and into the follicle to stimulate the scalp and promote hair growth. There is no downtime involved and no stitches or sutures to worry about. PRP for hair loss supports a natural process of hair regeneration and regrowth which is why the results are so impressive.  This therapy can be combined with hair transplantation or medications such as Propecia, minoxidil or spironolactone.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Blood is comprised of two main components red blood cells and plasma. Plasma contains white blood cells and platelets which are rich with growth factors. Growth factors act as messengers to signal cells to function and has been used in medicine to treat a wide range of health issues including arthritis, wound healing, antiaging and more. For people with thinning hair or progressive hair loss, these growth factors may help stimulate the activity of hair follicles and promote new hair growth.

The clinical evidence for use of PRP in hair loss is for the most part anecdotal but there are many clinical cases showing it’s effectiveness in increasing hair counts, thickness and the growth phase of the hair cycle. More evidence based research is required to assess the true efficacy of PRP injections in hair restoration.

Risks

There are very few risks and minimal to no downtime associated with PRP injections. There may be some local swelling and bruising that resolves after a couple of days. Tylenol and ice packs are recommended for post procedure care.

Who are candidates?

Anyone who is experiencing hair loss is a good candidate for PRP treatments but those with early hair loss and progressive hair thinning tend to respond the best. PRP is best used for patients with androgenetic alopecia which is a genetically determined form of hair loss that typically affects the top of the head. In women, this might look like a widening part within the normal hair thickness in the back of the head.

Typically, patients usually note decreased hair shedding on their clothes, hair brush and/or shower drains and increased length and thickness of the hair. The general consensus is for PRP treatments every 3-6 months on a long-term basis are optimal to stimulating growth factors and stem cells that are associated with hair regrowth and stopping hair loss.

PRP injections are done in three steps:

Blood Draw

The first step in platelet-rich plasma therapy is drawing a sample of your blood. Depending on how much hair loss is being treated, you can expect approximately 20ml of your blood to be drawn. The first step is a quick process that only takes a few minutes.

Blood Processing

The processing of your blood will take around 15 minutes. When whole blood is being spun in a centrifuge, the components separate by weight. Once the components separate, the red and white blood cells are safely discarded. The platelets and the plasma are combined and prepared for injection.

Blood Injection

The third and final step is to inject the platelet-rich plasma into the scalp. Since the skin on top of the head is thin, a numbing agent is applied to the area before treatment to ensure your comfort.

How long does PRP last?

Patients with hair loss should also have realistic expectations with PRP therapy for hair restoration because results don’t happen overnight. The platelet-derived growth factors need time to integrate into your scalp and do their work. The treatment only provides a boost of nutrients and doesn’t really address the root cause of your hair loss.

It can take up to six to twelve months to visually see your PRP results in the mirror, although most clients begin to notice results at three months. The treatment’s full results might take around 3 to 6 months from the initial injections, but patients can notice improvements in hair health after 2 weeks post-treatment. These improvements include changes in hair thickness, growth of new hair, and better hair texture.

The results will last for about 12 to 18 months – some patients report the effects lasting up to 2 years. While case studies have proven patient satisfaction with PRP injections in the past, it is not quite as beneficial to all people. For example, people with chronic diseases and thyroid imbalances may not see results over time. This is because cosmetic surgery will not fix the underlying issues. The hair will continue to fall out no matter what. In these cases, other treatments may be more effective, some not even being dermatological. In cases of thyroid disease, oral medications may resolve the issue instead.

Is PRP Hair Rejuvenation painful?

Platelet-rich plasma injections are made as comfortable and as painless as possible by the professionals who perform the procedure. They apply anesthesia before the scalp injections, they use very fine needles for the procedure, and they also provide ice packs to the patient after the procedure. Some may also opt to use a vibration device which is also proven to numb pain during injections.

How to prepare for PRP treatment?

Recognizing and treating your hair loss cause is a crucial piece in maintaining your results from PRP restoration treatments. If the cause of your hair loss is not diagnosed and corrected, you will continue to experience localized hair loss in certain areas of your scalp. Androgenetic alopecia and other types of hair loss cannot be cured with PRP and only treated.There are certain actions that you should take before and after the procedure is carried out. The same is true for things that you shouldn’t do if you want to see results and minimize the chances of experiencing negative side effects.

Pre-Procedure Dos

• Shampoo and condition your hair before the procedure. This way, it is clean and free from grease and dirt particles. It provides a sterile environment on your scalp before the injections.
• Eat a healthy breakfast and drink at least 16 ounces of water. This way, you will not likely experience dizziness, fainting, or nausea. Remember, blood will be drawn. If having that done on an empty stomach makes you queasy, you probably should remedy that before going.

Pre-Procedure Don’ts

• Don’t use any hair products like hairspray or gel for at least three days prior to your PRP injections. This can negatively affect you later in terms of side effects.
• Don’t smoke or drink heavily beforehand, if at all. This could disqualify you from the procedure, as your platelet count will be lowered significantly.