The body has the incredible ability to heal itself. This is the basis of the PRP treatment for hair loss. Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) is a form of regenerative medicine. It can amplify the natural growth factors your body uses to heal tissue. Recent researches discovered that it also helps restore hair growth, so it became the latest treatment to grow fuller, thicker hair.
As a non-surgical alternative for hair loss treatment, PRP delivers excellent outcomes for certain patients. And does that without the requirement for transplant medical procedures or pharmaceutical items. Besides, it is also a safe treatment largely and successfully utilized for joint conditions and facial skin restoration in many medical fields.
How does PRP Hair Treatment work?
The body’s first response to an injury is to deliver platelet cells. Packed with growth and healing factors, platelets initiate repair and attract the critical assistance of stem cells.
PRP’s natural healing process intensifies the body’s efforts by delivering a higher concentration of platelets directly into the area in need, such as the zones of the scalp affected by hair loss.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses injections of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets. This procedure triggers natural hair growth and maintains it by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicle and enhancing the thickness of the hair shaft.
The PRP Hair Procedure
PRP is a three-step medical treatment, where the doctor will draw the patient’s blood, process it, and then inject it into the patient’s scalp. How it works step-by-step: a medical professional will take a small sample of your blood (similar to a lab test sample) and place it in a centrifuge that spins the blood at high speeds. This will separate the platelets from the other components. The process is handled in a lab, aiming for higher concentrations of platelets and a more pure concentration of the beneficial elements present in your blood. The medical professional then draws this platelet-rich plasma up into a syringe and injects it into areas of the scalp that could benefit from hair growth and strengthening.
PRP Risks and Side Effects
There is little up to no risk of a transmissible infection and a low risk of an allergic reaction with PRP. This is because the patient’s blood is the source material for the treatment. But, as in any health procedure, a doctor should assess the particularities of each patient before addressing the treatment. PRP injections are considered safe when performed by a trained medical provider. However, they may not be appropriate for those with a history of bleeding disorders or autoimmune disease.
Duration and discomfort of PRP Treatment
The usual treatment plan involves three sessions, at 4 to 6-week intervals. The sessions are followed by a maintenance session for close to 6 months. Maintenance PRP sessions might be necessary every 4 to 6 months, depending on the patient’s needs. Even though injections can bring some discomfort to some patients, PRP hair treatment does not require anesthesia. Usually, numbing cream and ice can alone significantly reduce the discomfort. A stinging feeling for a few minutes post-injection is normal and expected.
Looking for PRP Hair Treatment near You?
StudioMD is the leader in cosmetic medicine in NY and offers PRP treatments in its Soho and Midtown (57th) locations.
Considered a top doctor in NYC, the medical director at StudioMD Dr. Vafa offers complimentary PRP consultations. His work in restorative and preventative aesthetic medicine has made him one of the most sought-after doctors in the industry.
If you suffer from pattern hair loss or alopecia, book a free consultation with one of our doctors and find out the facts about what PRP hair restoration can do for your particular situation. We are ready to answer any questions you have about PRP regarding your type of hair loss.