PRP FOR HAIR LOSS

Platelet-rich plasma is obtained when the patient’s blood is spun in a laboratory device called a centrifuge. This spinning action separates the solid components from the fluid portion. The components of PRP include collagen, thrombin, and calcium chloride, which are considered platelet activators. The double centrifuge technique allows the active biologic factors of blood serum to be administered at the most effective concentration. Commercial systems for PRP include Cydomedix, Angel System, Harvest System, and Emcyte Pure. PRP is often combined with A-Cell.

PRP is placed into a syringe to be introduced into the treatment site, which is the area of hair loss. Before injecting the area with PRP, the doctor creates a ring-block, which involves instillation of 1% lidocaine (anesthetic agent).

When PRP is used to stimulate hair growth, the doctor will schedule injections at intervals of one to nine months. The number of injections depends on the doctor’s protocol and the patient’s hair loss. Many doctors will give PRP injections at three-month intervals for around 12 months. Usually, improvement is expected during the first two to six months, but maximum effects are not seen for up to one year.

PRP treatments are administered by a qualified, skilled physician. You can expect to be in the office for 30-45 minutes. The patient is monitored after the PRP injections using photographs and hair assessments. We will modify your therapy based on your individual response to PRP injections.

When used for hair loss, PRP stimulates the growth of hair follicles and reverses the hair miniaturization seen in common baldness (androgenetic alopecia). The introduction of platelets and WBCs in the PRP will amplify the body’s naturally-occurring wound healing response.

PRP is used in many medical conditions, such as tendon injuries, osteoarthritis, jaw reconstruction, and cardiovascular diseases. Concentrated plasma will heal and repair tissues. Patients with thinning hair are the best candidates for hair loss PRP therapy.

In a small study involving 11 patients with androgenic alopecia, researchers found that PRP injections were cost effective, safe, and feasible for treating hair loss. After three months of therapy, hair count increased from 71 hair follicular units to 93 units. This mean gain was 22.09 follicular units cm^2. In another study, researchers found that PRP was effective for regrowth of hair in all 64 study participants. They concluded that this treatment induces some degree of clinical advantage for both female and male pattern baldness.