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PRP For Hair Thickening
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PRP For Hair Thickening
A new hair-loss treatment is giving hope to millions of people with thinning hair.
The treatment, called Platelet Rich Plasma therapy — or PRP — could help regrow and thicken hair without surgery, drugs or expensive treatments, experts say.
PRP relies on the patient’s own platelets. The patient’s blood is drawn and placed in a machine, where the plasma is separated from the blood and injected directly into that patient’s scalp.
The platelets contain growth factors that stimulate the regrowth and thickening of hair follicles.
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Before & After
PRP For Hair Loss
The Regrowth Process
PRP For Hair Loss
PRP for hair regrowth begins with a standard blood draw from the patient’s arm. The tube of blood is put into a centrifuge to separate the red blood cells from the plasma. Then the plasma, rich in platelets, is removed from the tube and injected directly into a patient’s scalp at the hair follicles. Injections are typically spread across a half-inch area of thinning hair to ensure dense coverage.
Treatments are typically performed monthly for the first three to four months, and then every three to six months thereafter. This schedule is optimal for stimulating hair growth factors and stem cells associated with reducing hair fallout. PRP has proven to combat hair loss in more than 70% of cases.
The Procedure
First, your blood is drawn in our office at Sparkle Lifestyle & MediSpa. The blood is then spun in a centrifuge. The centrifuge then separates the PRP from the rest of the blood. A topical anesthetic is applied to the scalp so you are as comfortable as possible.
The patient’s hair is then washed and the micro-needling takes place. The highly concentrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into the scalp. is then injected into the scalp.This is a very safe procedure with virtually no side effects since you are utilizing materials from your own body.
Since an inflammatory process is initiated at the wound site, there may be mild pain or discomfort felt by the patient at the site where PRP is injected.
Patient are not advised not to take any anti-inflammatory medication since it may interfere in the natural healing process of PRP.
What is PRP?
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is concentrated blood plasma which contains approximately three to five times the number of platelets found in normal circulating blood. In addition, it contains platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF) and other bioactive proteins that aid in wound healing and possibly hair growth.
Growth factors in platelet rich plasma (PRP) have been used to facilitate wound healing. Recently, studies have suggested that PRP may also serve as a safe and effective treatment option for male and female pattern hair loss.
Human blood is comprised primarily of red blood cells (RBC), as well as white blood cells (WBC), platelets, and plasma. By initiating the first step of coagulation, platelets are the key to the body’s ability to heal wounds. It is thought that by increasing the platelet count in a wounded area, the body’s healing to that area would be accelerated – explaining the use of PRP in wound healing. Its effects on promoting hair growth make it useful for the medical treatment of hair loss.
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Frequently Asked Questions
PRP For Hair Loss Q&A
What is PRP?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is concentrated blood plasma that contains approximately three to five times the number of platelets found in normal circulating blood. In addition to the platelets, it contains growth factors and other bioactive proteins that aid in wound healing and hair growth.
What does the PRP treatment do?
PRP is used to halt or reverse miniaturization, the process that causes common baldness.
How does PRP work?
We use PRP to stimulate the growth of follicles, thereby reversing the hair miniaturization (thinning hair) seen in androgenic alopecia (common baldness).
What are the benefits of treatment with PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma offers an additional way to stimulate hair growth, especially in people who cannot use other forms of treatment. For example, it may be useful if someone is not a candidate for a hair transplant, or cannot use finasteride. It is also useful in the treatment of crown thinning where a hair transplant may not be appropriate.
Why should we have the treatments done at Sparkle Lifestyle & MediSpa?
We use the Emcyte Pure PRP system – a double centrifuge technique – that allows the active biologic factors to be administered at the most effective concentration. The treatments take about a half-hour. We will make sure that your type of hair loss has the potential to respond to PRP and, if appropriate, we will recommend/suggest other medical and surgical options as well.
What is the treatment schedule?
If PRP hair loss therapy is appropriate, we can begin your treatment at the time of your consultation. We will administer the next two treatments at 6-week intervals. You will be asked to return 3 months later. At this visit (6 months from your first treatment) your response will be assessed. If you show improvement, follow-up treatments will be given twice yearly depending upon your progress.
When should I expect to see the results?
Patients usually see results in 3 to 6 months. However, the response time may be variable.
How long does PRP treatment take?
It’s done during a simple office visit; about 30-45 minutes.
Can I go back to my regular routine after the treatment?
Yes.
Will it work on a balding area?
It works best where there is existing thinning hair.
How well does the treatment work?
Platelet-rich plasma treatment is relatively new, but there is substantial anecdotal evidence that it is useful. We will be monitoring your progress with serial photographs to assess the results.
Will it work for me?
There is an individualized response to this treatment with a spectrum of effectiveness. It does not work in all cases. Patients are monitored to assess the benefits of therapy.
Is the treatment used in both men and women?
Yes
Will my head be sore afterwards?
You may have some very temporary soreness and swelling, but many patients experience nothing.
How many injections are done throughout the scalp?
It depends on the area. We will determine this at the time of the treatment.
Are there any cons to having PRP treatment?
There is some inconvenience in that you need to have your blood drawn and there may be some temporary swelling in the treated area. Platelet-rich plasma seems to be extremely safe since we are using your own serum, but it is not successful in growing hair in all cases.
Will PRP work in other areas of the body?
We are only using platelet-rich plasma to treat hair loss on the scalp at this time
How many treatments do I need?
Typically, we recommend at least three-four, then a maintenance treatment every 9-12 months or as needed.
How long does the PRP process take?
With the Eclipse PRP® kit, the blood draw takes just a couple of minutes, followed immediately by a 10-minute centrifugation. The time involved in the application varies based on which procedure is being performed.
How many PRP sessions are required?
Your medical professional can create a treatment plan based on your individual needs.
Can a PRP procedure be painful?
Eclipse PRP® is close to a physiologic pH, which means the product is less likely to cause a stinging or burning sensation. There may be some temporary discomfort or possible redness and inflammation at the application site. It is recommended you consult with your health care provider.
Is PRP safe?
Since the autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is produced from a patient’s own blood, there is minimized risk of an allergic reaction or rejection. Please refer to the Safety section on this page.
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma, also known as PRP, is a high concentration of your own platelets in a small volume of plasma.
How does a provider collect PRP?
Step 1: Utilizing a specialized blood collection tube from the Eclipse PRP® kit, a practitioner draws a small amount of blood similar to what is required for a basic lab test.
Step 2: The tube is then placed into a centrifuge which spins the blood at a very high speed, causing the platelets to separate from the other components of the blood.
Step 3: Once the platelets are concentrated into the plasma they can be applied to the patient. Activation causes platelets to release essential growth factors and signaling proteins, which are responsible for the wound-healing process.
What are the growth factors and effects of Platelet Rich Plasma?
Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)
Promotes angiogenesis, which is the physiological process involving the synthesis of new blood vessels.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
An important signaling protein involved in both angiogenesis, promoting the growth of blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature.
Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)
Promotes angiogenesis, granulation, and epithelialization.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
Attracts macrophages and fibroblasts to the application site. Promotes collagen growth and proteoglycan synthesis and the formation of the extracellular mix, also known as fibrin mesh.
Interleukins, Macrophages, Keratinocytes, Endothelial Cells, Lymphocytes, Fibroblasts, Osteoblasts, Basophils, Mast Cells
Activates fibroblast differentiation. Induces collagen and proteoglycan synthesis for healthy cell production and repair of damaged tissues.
Collagen Stimulating Growth Factor
Stimulates granulocyte and macrophage proliferation for the growth of healthy tissue and blood cells.
Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF)
Keratinocyte migration, differentiation, and proliferations may optimize conditions.
How long does the PRP process take?
With the Eclipse PRP® kit, the blood draw takes just a couple of minutes, followed immediately by a 10-minute centrifugation. The time involved in the application varies based on which procedure is being performed.