Hair loss and thinning hair is one of the most common and upsetting problems facing both men and women. Now you can address hair thinning and hair loss with a variety of options to help you maintain the hair you have and restore thicker, fuller hair growth. One potential treatment option is PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma) therapy.
PRP is a non-surgical solution that has been used in orthopedics for years to enhance healing after surgery and injuries. Our blood contains platelets which have high levels of growth factors which act as messengers to tell our cells to function optimally. PRP has shown promise in the treatment of hair loss in numerous peer-reviewed published scientific studies and articles. It helps improve hair growth by stimulating resting hairs to grow and thicken. Specifically, all hairs cycle between a resting phase and growing phase. PRP encourages hairs to move from the resting phase into the growing phase and also prolongs the duration of time they spend in the growing phase. The result: more hairs growing at one time and a greater density and thickness of currently growing hairs.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes. It begins with a taking a small sample of your own blood. This sample is then processed in a centrifuge – a machine that spins at high speed to separate the various components of blood into three distinct parts: platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-poor plasma, and red blood cells. The PRP portion (which is the source of the highly concentrated growth factors) is then injected into the areas of the scalp that require treatment. Following a series of three monthly treatments, 2-4 maintenance treatments a year help to maintain optimal results longer term.
The key to improving hair growth is to first understand the reason for your hair loss/thinning. There are many different types and causes of hair loss, and thus an initial medical visit will focus on evaluating your scalp and hair to determine the best treatment options for you. Treatment can then be targeted to your specific needs. In addition to PRP, other treatments may be advised such as: supplements, topical treatments, light treatments and/or oral medications.