Hair loss in both men and women can be a traumatizing experience and leave one feeling helpless. Surgical hair transplantation is an expensive option. Accordingly, more and more people have been turning to PRP hair restoration, an alternative solution that can be quite effective and is minimally invasive.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for hair restoration involves small injections of your own blood plasma into your scalp—this is an excellent treatment for hair loss stemming from androgenetic alopecia, which is the condition that causes hair follicles to shrink; also known as male pattern baldness in men. In women, this typically appears as a widening part line in the center of the scalp, towards the front and center mainly.
How Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Works
PRP Hair Restoration works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles and increases the shaft size, and in doing so, helps trigger and maintain the hair growth phase—this can ultimately result in not only reducing further hair loss but work to regrow hair.
There are three steps to the procedure:
Step 1: blood is drawn from your arm, similar to a routine blood test.
Step 2: the blood is then put into a centrifuge, which is a machine that rapidly spins to separate the different fluids contained within the blood. The blood is separated into platelet-rich plasma and red blood cells.
Step 3: the platelet-rich plasma is drawn up into a device called a meso injector—a gun-shaped object with a small syringe at the tip—and then injected into the problem areas of the scalp.
The plasma is rich in growth factors that work to stimulate hair follicles to become more active, causing the tissue to regenerate and multiply, and promote new hair growth. This process reverses the ‘miniaturization’ of hair follicles and can work on breathing new life into dormant hair follicles.
The Results
The results can generally be seen in as soon as 2-3 months after beginning the treatments, with full results in 4-6 months. The before and after photos included in this post are of my husband after three months, just after his third treatment. Although he is in the later stages of male pattern baldness, the results have been excellent. The other photos are of a female client who was experiencing thinning at her part line as well as the front of her head; these were taken approximately four months apart.
FAQ
Below I’ve answered some questions regarding PRP Hair Restoration that I am often asked.
Who is a good candidate for PRP?
Almost anyone experiencing hair loss may be a potential candidate, but those in earlier stages generally respond best. Always best to start early, rather than wait.
How many treatments are required?
Treatment will vary based on one’s specific needs. Initially, three treatments, spaced one month apart, are recommended.
How long does a treatment take?
Each treatment can take between 45 minutes to an hour, including collecting blood, spinning it, and injecting.
Is the procedure painful?
Some may experience some sensitivity and minor discomfort, but the procedure is a relatively comfortable experience for most.
Is there a recovery period?
Post-treatment, your scalp, and hair will be damp from the plasma that is topically applied, and it is recommended that you let it settle for a few hours before taking a warm shower. I recommend bringing a hat along with you for the trip home!
