Hair loss can be very disappointing for both men and women leading to a decrease in self-confidence. Hair loss in women is often overlooked as it is diffuse, leading to thinning of hair over most of the female scalp. This diffuse thinning of hair occurs in many women with the natural aging process. However, both men and women can now have thicker, healthier hair with platelet rich plasma derived from their own blood.Platelet rich plasma, also referred to as PRP, has emerged as a simple non-surgical option to treat hair loss, especially in the early stages before one has become bald. For complete baldness, a hair transplant or hair piece is the most effective option. However, for everyone else, PRP can stop hair loss and result in 30% more hair growth, with new hair shafts as well as thicker hair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Non surgical improvement in hair loss
- No downtime
- Virtually risk free
- Can be combined with minoxidil and/or finasteride if desired
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been used for decades in various medical disciplines such as sports medicine, orthopedics, oral surgery, and neurosurgery to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. Now there are over 20 studies in medical literature demonstrating PRP’s effectiveness in stopping hair loss and improving scalp hair density.
PRP is extracted from the patient’s own blood. There is virtually no risk of any allergic reactions or side effects. Medical research has discovered several growth factors contained in platelets that are thought to help stimulate hair growth, and there are likely many more factors to be identified that revive the scalp tissues.
Here at Infinite Medical Spa we utilize the latest systems that produce the most platelets and growth factors, as not all PRP techniques are the same.
Upon arrival for your appointment, we will take 10 to 20 mL of your blood from a vein in your arm. Your blood contains the platelets, growth factors, and certain white blood cells that will be concentrated by us in order to inject into your scalp with a very tiny needle. Your own platelets and growth factors are injected 3 mm deep into your scalp with several injections depending on your hair loss pattern. The entire process will take about 45 minutes. The PRP will stimulate inactive hair follicles to enter the active growth phase.
The first thing that you should notice is that your hair loss should virtually cease with PRP. Then over a period of weeks, you should see thicker hair on your head. Medical studies have shown about 30% more hair growth, with generally more hair growth in women than men. This treatment can also be combined with other hair loss measures, such as LED, low-level laser, other topical treatments, minoxidil, and/or finasteride.
PRP is an effective treatment option for young men with early hair loss who are not candidates for hair transplantation because the extent of their potential baldness has not been established yet. The back of the head has a limited number of hairs available for transplantation, and until the full pattern of hair loss is established, it would be prudent to wait for a hair transplant. If PRP can slow the hair loss process down, and even result in new hair growth, the young adult male can defer hair transplant surgery.
In women, hair loss is mostly diffuse leading to the thinning of hair all over the head. This large area is difficult to transplant, again due to limited donor hair from the back of the head. Some women have patchy hair loss along long hair part areas. Both of these female patterns of hair loss are very amendable to PRP scalp injections.
This is a list of the some of the specific growth factors within PRP that result in hair growth:
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) — promotes cell growth and differentiation, blood vessel formation, collagen formation
- Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2) — promotes growth of specialized cells and blood vessel formation
- Insulin Like Growth Factor (IGF) — a regulator of normal cell physiology in nearly every type of cell in the body
- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) — promotes blood vessel growth, cell replication, skin formation
- Transforming Growth-Factor-Beta (TGF-b) — promotes growth of matrix between cells
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) — promotes blood vessel formation
The PRP hair restoration protocol is 3 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. More monthly sessions can be completed as desired, but most people will repeat the treatments at 6 to 12 month intervals.
Resume normal activities immediately post treatment. You may use any hair supplement or oral treatment for hair loss that you desire. We recommend avoiding Aspirin (ASA) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) prior to treatment and for one-week post treatment as these drugs interfere with platelet function.
The preparation of PRP must not be administered to patients with hematologic or coagulation disorders, or to patients suffering from serious diseases such as severe metabolic disorders, cancer, or any acute infections. The administration of PRP to pregnant or lactating women or patients suffering from autoimmune diseases is not recommended.
Swelling and redness of the treated areas is common, although this usually occurs for only 24 hours. Some bruising is also to be expected, and it may take 1 to 2 weeks to clear completely.
Please contact us immediately if you experience any rare and/or unforeseeable side effects after your treatment.
Each individual has different needs. Here at Infinite Medical Spa pricing for Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma Hair Restoration treatment is calculated on a “vial and treatment area” basis. This means that our Nurse Practitioner will need to determine the precise amount of product needed to attain your desired results. Contact us today for a consultation.