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.
I have been injecting Botox for 15+ years, but I do not think I have ever shared with you my first experience getting Botox.
I had previously worked with very sick and critical patients, and now I had branched off into the world of skin rejuvenation and plastic surgery. In my new role I quickly realized it was necessary for me to be treated with Botox for me to better understand my job and what our clients were experiencing. I didn’t have any lines, wrinkles or folds at the time that bothered me. Not to mention I was terrified of injecting a toxin into any area of my body, for vanities sake (even though Europe had numerous studies to back up the safety and efficacy of the treatment.) I needed the job and it was a sweet set-up, so into the chair I hopped, for my first ‘anti-wrinkle’ treatment.
It took 1-2 weeks for the Botox to ‘kick in’, and as I waited, I circled the mirror in regular patterns, like a fish in a tank, waiting for something horrible and grotesque to happen. To my great happiness and surprise the improvement was subtle and soft. I hadn’t even realized the lines in my face were apparent until they were so blurred that I couldn’t even see them. Blurred as in not bad vision, but softened and natural. Better yet, no one could tell what I had done, everyone guessing I had cut and re-styled my hair!
Fast forward to today, since I have been using Botox fairly regularly for 15+ years (keeping job….) I have most definitely aged in a kinder/gentler way. Allowing those muscles in my forehead, frown and around eyes to relax, while keeping my facial movements looking natural.
I realized I was so afraid of looking fake, frozen or un-natural that if my, at the time, job hadn’t been threatened I would have never started with a wrinkle reducer. Thank goodness for the overbearing, dominant woman who made me take my first step!
Now we know in the industry that the earlier we start with skin care and improvement the softer the aging process will descend upon us. With Botox you can decrease the amount of movement in any given area and combined with professional skin care rejuvenation treatments the results can be stunning.
If I could impart any information, it would be that doing nothing gets you nowhere. We all are aware how important it is to exercise and eat well. What we seem to forget is if we do not take an active role in maintaining the skin (the largest organ in the body) we can appear unhealthy and dehydrated. Much better to look like a grape than a raisin.
Things to look for when getting Botox:
Now that you have heard about my first experience and the benefits I have experienced with Botox, I hope we can become your trusted partner in your journey to healthy aging.
