Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for hair loss is a treatment designed to stimulate hair growth for thinning or balding hair. PRP therapy involves injection of a person’s own blood into the scalp in order to trigger and maintain hair growth. Increasing the blood supply to the scalp is believed to trigger growth and increase the thickness of the hair shaft.
What’s Involved?
Typically, PRP involves three treatments, several weeks apart. At each visit, blood is drawn from the patient and put into a centrifuge, which rapidly separates fluids. After about 10 minutes, the platelet-rich plasma from the blood is drawn into a syringe and injected into areas of the scalp that need increased hair growth. The process takes less than 30 minutes.
Treatments are often scheduled once a month for three to four months, and then every few months after that.
Why Platelets?
Platelets are one of the components of blood, along with red and white blood cells. Platelets are sometimes called the body’s “first responders” because they stop bleeding and promote healing when someone is injured with a cut or wound. The theory behind PRP is that by injecting concentrated platelets into ‘damaged’ areas of the body, healing would be accelerated.
Few Side Effects
Side effects of PRP are minimal, since the patient’s own blood is used for the process and the procedure doesn’t cause much discomfort beyond possible bruising. There is a chance of being rejected for treatment if, for example, you have a disorder that makes you unable to give blood (e.g., if you are on blood thinners).
Promising Results
The results of the treatment have been largely promising, according to a number of reviews. A recent study concluded “PRP injection is a simple, cost effective and feasible treatment option for androgenic alopecia (also known as female or male pattern baldness), with high overall patient satisfaction.”
MSA provides in-office PRP treatment for men and women. Contact us for more information.
Sources:
Healthline
NIH
Medical News Today