Hair loss can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender. Most patients begin to notice an increase in hair loss once they see shedding and when their hair growth can’t keep up with replacing the lost hair. PRP hair treatment is a natural way to fight back against hair loss with your very own blood.
Causes of Patterned Hair Loss
Anyone can experience hair loss, but it is most common in men. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp, and hereditary hair loss is the most common cause. Hair loss can appear in many different ways, depending on the cause.
Hereditary Hair Loss – The most common cause of hair loss is genetic. This type of hair loss typically occurs gradually with aging and develops in predictable patterns.
Hormonal or Medical Hair Loss – A variety of conditions can cause hair loss, including hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, thyroid problems, and other medical conditions.
Stress – A general thinning of hair can occur several months after physical or emotional trauma. This type of hair loss is temporary.
Radiation – Radiation therapy can cause the hair not to grow back the same as it once was.
Medications and supplements – Certain medications, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart issues, and high blood pressure, can cause hair loss.
What Is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair loss is a three-step medical treatment in which a person’s blood is drawn, processed, and then injected into the scalp. This plasma is naturally found in your blood and can be used to help fight patterned hair loss (or even reverse the effects of aging!) efficiently and effectively. PRP therapy was initially used for musculoskeletal injuries, where it would be injected into tendons and ligaments to promote healing. The healing powers of platelet-rich plasma are now being utilized in aesthetic dermatology both for fighting patterned hair loss and to halt the signs of aging in the face.
How Does PRP Hair Treatment Work?
PRP therapy is completed in a three-step process. Most PRP therapies require three treatments, 4-6 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments are needed every 4-6 months to maintain results.
Step One: In the first step, we begin by drawing your blood typically from your arm. Depending on your specific treatment, you can expect 2-3 tubes to be drawn for one treatment.
Step Two: The blood is then spun down using a centrifuge, which is a machine that spins rapidly to separate fluids of different densities. The centrifuge will separate the red blood cells into three layers: platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma, and red blood cells. The plasma is where you can find a concentration of platelets. These platelets are a component of the blood that helps it clot, but they also help to stimulate growth and promote healing.
Step Three: The platelet-rich plasma is then drawn up into a syringe and then injected into the affected areas of hair loss to stimulate hair growth. The injections only take 5-10 minutes to complete.
Treatment Side Effects
The process of PRP for hair loss sounds much more detailed than it appears during treatment. For the most part, there is no significant risk or side effects with PRP. Most patients are able to receive PRP injections without any numbing, as there is minimal discomfort involved.
- Cold air or ice packs may be used to minimize pain.
- In the event that there is any discomfort, over-the-counter pain medication can be taken. Bruising can occur but often resolves within a week or two.
Is PRP Hair Treatment Right For Me?
Anyone experiencing hair loss is essentially an excellent candidate for PRP treatments, but those with early hair loss tend to respond best to treatment. PRP therapy is best utilized for patients with hair thinning that typically occurs along the top of the head. In women, androgenic alopecia often appears as a widening part with normal hair thickness at the back of the head.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to frustrating hair loss, call Radiance Skincare & Laser Medspa today to get your hair-growth cycle back on track. A simple consultation appointment will allow us to determine if PRP hair loss treatments are right for you.