If you have thinning hair, you may be looking to find a solution for it. Many different types of hair restoration methods are available today. One of these, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is a non-surgical procedure that promotes hair restoration.
How Does PRP Work?
Blood consists of two main components. These components are red blood cells and plasma. The plasma portion of the blood contains white blood cells, platelets, and growth factors, which are essential for the hair regeneration process.
Growth factors are signaling proteins that tell the skin cells to engage in their therapeutic functions. A solution of isolated growth factors and platelets has been used in many areas of medicine to treat health issues, including muscle tears, arthritis, skin quality on the aging face, and more. This is good news for men and women with thinning hair, as these growth factors can help to stimulate the activity of the hair follicles, and therefore, promote new hair growth.
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is an effective and well-researched treatment option for hair loss. Many science-based articles show its efficacy in increasing hair count, hair thickness, and lengthening the growth phase of the hair cycle. PRP has been gaining popularity in hair restoration and other medical clinics around the globe in the last few years.
What is the PRP Process?
The procedure that uses PRP for hair restoration and growth begins with a standard blood draw from a patient’s arm. The blood sample tube is then placed into a centrifuge, which spins the blood at a high rate to separate the plasma portion from the red blood cells. The plasma is rich in platelets and growth factors. It is injected into the thinning areas of the scalp with the help of tiny needles. It is a painstaking and meticulous process. The injections are placed approximately every half inch over the area with thinning hair. In all, the procedure takes about an hour to complete.
Who is a Good Candidate for PRP Therapy?
Anyone who is experiencing hair loss is likely a right candidate for PRP treatments. PRP is typically more effective for patients with androgenic alopecia, a genetically inherited type of hair loss and thinning that frequently occurs along the top of the head. In women, androgenic alopecia appears as a widening part in the middle of the scalp, with healthy hair growth and thickness in the back of the head.
How Can I Get the Best Results?
Consistency is key to getting the most substantial results. Treatments are often performed in succession, timed at once a month for the first four months. Then, they may be applied every three to six months after that, depending on the patient’s response and results.
Once PRP treatments are applied, patients usually observe decreased hair shedding. Early regrowth and an increase in the length of the hair soon follows. For optimal results, it is generally thought that receiving treatments every three to six months on a long-term basis is ideal. This ongoing regimen can continue to stimulate the cells and growth factors necessary to prevent hair from falling out and promote regrowth.
You may want to consider PRP as part of a comprehensive program to treat hair loss and thinning. Schedule an appointment to discuss your options with a hair treatment doctor in your local area.
Resource: Hair Loss Treatment