What Is PRP & How It Helps With Hair Loss or Thinning
Millions of men and women all over the world suffer from the effects of hair loss or thinning. One hair loss treatment option growing in popularity is platelet-rich plasma therapy or PRP. Long utilized by high-level athletes and orthopedic surgeons to aid in recovery from injuries or post surgeries, PRP is one of the latest in innovative and non-surgical therapeutic treatments for hair loss. This treatment is considered one of the most effective methods for non-surgical hair restoration and thickening hair.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Explained
Platelet-rich plasma or autologous conditioned plasma is derived from whole blood and centrifuged to remove red blood cells, leaving a concentrate of platelet-rich plasma. Within this isolated fraction are numerous essential growth factors that allow the body to heal and create fresh cells. The treatment, which has been used for decades in dentistry and orthopedics, has recently been proven effective in treating hair loss by stimulating hair thickening and combating Androgenetic Alopecia, the medical term for male pattern baldness, or male pattern hair loss due to DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). The prominent growth factors found in PRP, include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Hair restoration doctors inject PRP directly into the scalp, specifically into hair follicles, where the growth factors encourage new blood vessels to form.
What The PRP Procedure Entails
The process is relatively simple. When you arrive at a Barber Surgeons Guild® (BSG) Outpost, we will draw blood from the arm. The blood is then placed in the above-mentioned centrifuge, which separates the PRP. Once the process is finished, the platelet-rich plasma is ready to use.
A BSG doctor will quickly numb the treatment area, then will painlessly inject small quantities of the PRP into the scalp, focusing on areas where the hair loss or thinning is apparent.
Any tightness or discomfort afterward typically goes away quickly. The process can be completed in less than an hour and requires relatively little to no downtime.
PRP for Hair vs. Other Treatments
Although it can help a number of people, PRP may be most suited to those who have just recently started experiencing hair loss. If you’ve suffered hair loss for years, it may be harder to reactivate dead or dormant hair follicles.
Surgical treatments, such as hair transplants, are usually the most effective in restoring long-lost hair, but the procedure is more costly and requires some planning. In comparison, PRP doesn’t involve any surgery, drugs or medications, while recovery is quicker with virtually no side effects in most patients. Moreover, to maximize the effects of surgical hair restoration procedures, PRP is often administered in combination.
The Results
Like most medical procedures, results are not immediate. After a few months of regular sessions, you should start to see hair regrowth. The number of sessions you’ll need depends on the severity of the hair loss, age, and genetics. Many people start seeing results after about three sessions. To maintain results, it’s recommended that you have at least one PRP hair treatment every 3-6 months.
As sessions continue, a gradual reduction will occur in the amount of hair being lost each day. New hair growth will start in areas that were thinning before. After about six months, many patients see an increase in hair thickness and regrowth.
Once you’ve undergone a PRP treatment, avoid doing anything that can adversely affect hair growth, such as using chemical hair treatments or using hair products with sulfates. Clients who follow the recommended treatment plan generally see the best results in three to six months.
Schedule an Appointment at BSG to Find the Right Hair Restoration Solution
Hair restoration is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Our teams and renowned medical staff will help determine if PRP is the right treatment for your hair loss condition. We offer PRP maintenance therapy at our two Barber Surgeons Guild® locations: the WeHo Outpost in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and our Soho Outpost in Soho, New York. Book a consultation to get an in-depth analysis of your condition and gain valuable insights as well as a treatment plan.
