PRP hair restoration
For those of you who may be experiencing rapid or gradual hair loss such as excess shedding, male pattern baldness or a shrinking pony tail, there is hope. You have probably heard of PRP hair restoration from your friends, salon stylist or on the internet, but what is it really? PRP is platelet rich plasma taken from your own blood and injected or applied topically to the treated area.
PRP hair restoration is a relatively new process that has some scientific studies and evidence to back it up. Many dermatologists are convinced that this procedure works and use it routinely as part of their repertoire for treating their patients’ hair loss. PRP was first used by orthopedic surgeons to treat joint and tendon injuries with good success. Now, some doctors are using it to regrow hair. Since that time there have been a number of studies, although small that have shown positive benefit using trichoscans or serial photography.
So what does the process entail? To make PRP, your practitioner takes some of your blood, spins it to separate the platelets from the other cells, and then puts the platelets back into the liquid part of your blood (the plasma). Why does that matter? Because platelets have hundreds of specialized proteins called growth factors that aid healing. The PRP may be applied topically during micro needling or it may be injected into your scalp with a small needle. The idea is that the growth factors help to create or stimulate new hair follicles.
There’s no standard process yet. Your doctor may start with three treatments spaced about 6 to 8 weeks apart. After a few months, your hair could seem thicker and fuller than before. In one study, a large majority of people were happy with the results and said their hair improved. You might need a booster treatment 6 months later, when hair growth starts to slow down. The procedure is done in the office with little preparation except for washing your scalp and hair ahead of time.
Does this procedure work for all types of hair loss? If you are a male with a shiny scalp the procedure will not work. There has to be at least fine vellus hair to have any effect. Females with alopecia areata are not good candidates as the issue is autoimmune. If are interested in learning more, schedule a consultation to see if you are a good candidate. Most individuals are pleased with the results.
