Hair Loss Treatment with PRP
What is PRP?
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma is a popular and effective hair loss treatment.
Platelets are one of four primary components of blood (the other three are red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma) that promotes cell growth and regeneration.
As the term “platelet-rich plasma” suggests, platelets are generally about five times more concentrated in PRP than in regular blood. This concentration of platelets is useful, because platelets secrete growth factors that are thought to assist in wound healing and tissue regrowth.
PRP For Hair Loss
For hair loss, PRP therapy has been clinically proven to be effective in reversing both male and female pattern hair loss and baldness (androgenic alopecia).
The powerful PRP growth factors help to reinvigorate dormant hair follicles and stimulate new hair growth! The platelets are injected deep into the scalp to reach the bottom of the hair follicle, may stimulate a specialized population of cells named dermal papilla cells, which play a critical role in hair growth.
Additionally, it improves blood supply to the hair follicles and decreases inflammation which helps with the thickness of hair shafts and supports healthy hair follicles.
When will I see results?
This treatment has two key steps.
First, the hair follicles need to stop transitioning for longer periods into the dormant/resting phase of the hair growth cycle.
Second, those follicles need to be given the growth factors, stem cells, and platelets to revive them and get them to return to the growth phase.
You’ll first see a marked decrease in hair thinning and shedding. Next, you’ll see real hair growth usually in the first two to three months.
In general, 3 to 6 PRF procedures, spaced 4-6 weeks apart, are recommended, with a maintenance treatment performed once a year after the initial treatment.
How Is PRP Prepared?
The process of obtaining PRP involves a blood draw and a centrifuge. To create the PRP, blood is drawn from your arm, then spun down in a centrifuge (a machine that spins at high speeds to help separate blood components).
After spinning of the blood in the centrifuge, the plasma rises to the top, and the lower part of the plasma is the PRP. Sometimes, a second spin is performed to increase the platelet concentration of the plasma.
Your own PRP is then collected and injected into multiple areas of hair loss across your scalp. The usual treatment plan involves three to four sessions, approximately one month apart, followed by maintenance sessions every three to six months to keep up the results.
Treatment Steps
- Numbing Agent (optional) – If you are extremely sensitive or afraid of needles a numbing agent can be provided upon request.
- Blood draw – A few tubes of blood are drawn from the patient during a standard blood draw, much like you would get bloodwork done during your annual physical.
- Centrifuge – Once in the lab, the tubes are placed in a specialized centrifuge to separate a layer of cells that is particularly rich in platelets. This layer of cells is stripped and extracted in order to make your own PRF treatment solution.
- Injection – In the following step, your PRF is injected into your scalp at the level of your hair follicles, approximately every half inch across the entire area of thinning hair or bald spots. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the injection process.
- Repeat – It is usual for treatments to be administered once a month for three to four months. The majority of patients experience results in 4 to 6 months and choose to continue treatment 1 to 2 times a year after the primary treatment series in order to keep their hair growth after that time.
- Post Care – In addition to PRF treatments, your doctor may prescribe topical or oral medication, such as finasteride, red light therapy, or minoxidil, to be used in tandem with them. According to recent research, hair growth has been shown to improve more quickly and significantly when both PRF and pharmacological treatment are taken in conjunction.
Safety
Because the treatments use a patient’s own blood, PRF treatments are safe and can be administered alone or in conjunction with other procedures. It’s considered safe for most people who are in overall good health.
Since the treatment is based on your own cells there is minimal possibility of bad responses occurring during the procedure. There is very little to no discomfort to be experienced during the process itself.
And Get to Know Each Other!
It’s important to know you as it is important for you to get to know us. At Reflections we work with you to achieved your goals and we know that “trust” goes a long way. This is how we start to build that powerful bond with each other.
To start it off right, we should meet to discuss your skincare goals. Then you’ll get to ask all your questions you need in order for you to feel confident and secure before we start your treatment.
