Did you wake up today wondering “where did my hair go?!” Have you tried everything you can find over the counter to grow your hair back? If so, this information is just for you!
By now we are sure you have seen or heard about Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and the benefits it can have for skin complexion for a youthful look. PRP has been growing increasingly in popularity over the last few years and with that growth, research has discovered more benefits than we had even hoped for!
If you’re not familiar, Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, is a treatment where you draw your own blood and separate out your platelet rich plasma to then be reinjected into your body in problem areas. This allows the body to have concentrated plasma to rejuvenate areas that the body has not been able to take care of.
Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City explains how it works: “Our blood is made of two main components, red blood cells, and plasma,” he says. “The plasma contains white blood cells and platelets, which are rich in growth factors.”
Growth factors are like messengers, signaling cells to function. In fact, they’ve been used in medicine to treat a range of health issues. Zeichner goes on to explain that growth factors can “help stimulate the activity of the hair follicles and promote new hair growth.” PRP is an overall great option for treatment as there is a number of scientifically based articles showing increasing hair count, thickness, and growth.
PRP, when coupled with good hair products and proper nutrition and supplementation can have vast benefits in your battle against hair loss. Lets dive into the PRP Hair Treatment more below.
The Process
As with most procedures, there is a careful process involved in using PRP for hair regrowth, beginning with a standard blood draw from the patient’s arm. Next, the blood is put into a machine called a centrifuge, which spins the blood tube to separate out the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma, which is rich in platelets, is then injected directly into the scalp at the level of the hair follicles.
Injections are made across the scalp, approximately at every half inch over the area of thinning hair, but typically the entire procedure takes about an hour.
Risks Involved
For some, drawing blood may seem a little scary, but for the most part there’s no real risk associated with PRP. Ice packs or cool air may be used to minimize pain, and Tylenol is often recommended after the procedure. There may be some bruising, but this typically resolves after about a week.
There is very minimal downtime and we recommend a hot shower to enhance blood flow throughout the scalp. You may just want to take a day or two before returning to regular hair maintenance.
Who It Works For
If you’re experiencing hair loss, then you’re a good candidate for PRP treatments. Those with early hair loss tend to respond best. You may just notice hair thinning in parts of your scalp and that is a great time to go ahead and get started.
The Results
For best results, consistency is key. Treatments are typically performed once a month for the first three to four months, and then every three to six months thereafter, depending on the individual patient’s response and results. Following this protocol, anticipated results can first be seen within two to three months.
Bottom line: While PRP treatments aren’t necessarily an easy or quick fix, they are a medically and scientifically backed option for those struggling to find hair-loss solutions.
