PRP Hair Restoration

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Exploring PRP Hair Restoration

It’s normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. This loss isn’t noticeable because new hair is growing in simultaneously. If new hair doesn’t replace the hair that has fallen out, then the result is hair loss.

PRP hair restoration is a treatment that treats hair loss with injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP therapy for hair loss is a three-step medical procedure that involves drawing and processing a patient’s blood and then injecting it into the scalp.

PRP injections stimulate and maintain natural hair growth by increasing blood supply to the hair follicle and increasing the thickness of the hair shaft. Treatment may be combined with other hair loss procedures or medications for maximum results.

Causes of Hair Loss

Family history (heredity)

A hereditary condition called androgenic alopecia is a male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness that occurs with aging.

Hormonal changes and medical conditions

Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and thyroid problems can cause permanent or temporary hair loss.

Medical conditions

These may include scalp infections such as ringworm, alopecia areata, and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania.

Medications and supplements

Certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, depression, arthritis, gout, heart problems, and high blood pressure can cause hair loss.

Radiation therapy

This treatment may prevent hair from growing back the same as it was before.

A highly stressful experience

A physical or emotional shock may cause a temporary thinning of hair several months later.

Hairstyles and treatments

Hairstyling or hairstyles that pull hair tight, such as cornrows or pigtails, can cause traction alopecia. Hot-oil hair treatments and perms may also cause hair loss.

The Process

PRP hair restoration is a quick
process.

A nurse or physician begins by drawing blood from the patient’s arm.

The vial is placed into a centrifuge, which is a machine that spins rapidly to separate the PRP from red blood cells and platelet-poor plasma.

The platelet-rich plasma will then be drawn up into a syringe and injected into areas of the scalp showing hair loss.

Patients typically require three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart.

Maintenance treatments should be done every four to six months.

Minimized Risk

Because PRP hair restoration involves injecting the patient’s own blood into their scalp, treatment doesn’t pose a risk for developing a communicable disease. Potential side effects of PRP therapy include injury to blood vessels or nerves, infection, calcification at the injection points, and the formation of scar tissue. Another potential risk is having a negative reaction to the anesthetic used in treatment. Patients considering PRP hair restoration should let their doctor know in advance about their tolerance to anesthetics.