If you’re an adult suffering from premature hair loss or pattern baldness, a popular new therapy making waves in the cosmetic world may be worth considering. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair loss therapy is a highly effective, non-invasive treatment that stimulates hair growth for both men and women.
Here’s everything you need to know about PRP hair loss therapy.
What Is PRP Hair Loss Treatment?
PRP hair loss therapy is a safe and effective treatment option that repairs and stimulates tissue in the scalp to promote hair growth. A patient’s platelet-rich plasma is collected and reintroduced to the target area.
How Does It Work?
Much like PRP skin treatments, which improve texture and appearance, PRP hair loss therapy utilizes a patient’s platelet-rich plasma. This contains a variety of beneficial proteins that can accelerate tissue repair and promote hair growth.
To begin PRP, a doctor draws a sample of blood from the patient and runs it through a centrifuge—which spins extremely fast, separating the plasma. This solution is injected into the scalp using a syringe or microneedling device.
This hair restoration therapy is safe and effective for men and women experiencing a variety of hair loss issues.
Similar to other microneedling treatments, this pierces and irritates the skin to trigger a healing response. The platelet-rich plasma can reverse damage or shrinkage of hair follicles to stimulate growth.
Who Should Seek Treatment?
This hair restoration therapy is safe and effective for men and women experiencing a variety of hair loss issues. Ideal candidates for PRP treatment are adults with thinning hair who cannot receive a hair transplant, or tolerate a pharmaceutical approach.
Generally, PRP treatment has been proven especially effective at addressing conditions including:
- Androgenic Alopecia: A condition that causes hair follicles to shrink, which often manifests as male pattern baldness.
- Alopecia Areata: A medical issue whereby the immune system attacks hair follicles.
- Telogen Effluvium: A condition caused by stress, in which hair roots are forced into a premature resting state.
PRP therapy has shown to both prevent hair loss and stimulate growth of fuller and thicker hair in target areas. However, PRP works best where there are still miniaturized hair follicles, and is unlikely to yield similar results in areas completely bald.
What to Expect From the Procedure?
In preparation, patients may be asked to avoid using any hair products such as hairspray or gel, and cease smoking or drinking heavily prior to treatment, as these could reduce platelet count.
Your doctor may recommend eating a healthy breakfast and drinking at least 16 ounces of water to avert dizziness or nausea when blood is drawn. Patients are also asked to shampoo and condition their hair beforehand, to clean and sterilize the scalp before injections.
As aforementioned, during the procedure, a doctor draws blood from a patient’s arm, and processes it through a centrifuge to separate out the platelet-rich plasma. The PRP solution is then extracted and reinjected into target areas of the scalp.
Patients should notice improvements in hair growth, thickness, and texture in the treated area within two weeks after treatment.
The treatment should typically last about an hour, and patients are free to resume regular daily activities afterward.
They are asked to avoid getting a perm or treating their hair with colorful dyes for at least 72 hours following the PRP injections, as chemicals can irritate the injection sites.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Patients should notice improvements in hair growth, thickness, and texture in the treated area within two weeks after treatment. It typically takes between three to six months from the initial treatment to begin to see measurable results.
Results can last up to 18 months, but depending on specific hair loss conditions and nature of PRP treatment, doctors may recommend follow-up sessions every three to six months, or until hair loss is under more control.
Buglino Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery is proud to offer the Eclipse PRP system for hair restoration treatment.
If you have concerns about hair loss or thinning, consult with Dr. Buglino about receiving PRP treatments for more volume, and fuller, thicker hair in no time. Contact Dr. Anthony Buglino, at (516) 864-0700, or schedule an appointment online. Also follow Dr. Buglino on Instagram to view results of past procedures!
