PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is a therapy used by physicians to expedite healing in different body areas. It can also help in hair regrowth. Hair loss commonly occurs due to a common condition that causes hair follicles to shrink, named androgenetic alopecia. In males, this condition is called male pattern baldness. PRP is a new approach, although some scientific evidence suggests its effectiveness for hair regrowth. If you want to know how doctors use PRP hair treatment to treat hair loss and promote hair regrowth, then keep reading this blog.
What is PRP?
Before understanding how it works, it is important to comprehend the role of PRP that platelets play in healing.
Along with red and white blood cells, platelets are a blood component. When an individual has a cut or wound, Platelets are the body’s first responder that stops the bleeding and encourages healing.
Researchers say that if they extract platelets from the patient’s blood and, after concentrating platelets, inject them into the damaged area of the body, it could promote the healing process.
The medical practitioner will collect a blood sample and place it in a centrifuge machine to produce PRP. This device spins at a fast pace to separate the blood components. The specialist then extracts the injection platelets.
Initially, scientists assumed that PRP could help in hair regrowth by reversing the process that happens in androgenetic alopecia. PRP has a variety of proteins and growth factors that accelerates tissue repair. For instance, certain types of hair loss resulting from hair follicle damage.
Sometimes, researchers believe that PRP injections increase the blood supply to the hair follicle to activate and maintain natural hair growth. It also helps to increase the thickness of the hair shaft. This strategy may combine with other hair loss treatments or medication to treat hair loss.
PRP is now becoming a common technique for promoting hair regrowth and is also deemed effective in treating muscles, tendons, and ligaments-related injuries that individuals can sustain during sports activities.
Since the 1980s, medical practitioners have been using PRP hair treatment, but there are not sufficient studies available to demonstrate whether PRP is an effective treatment for hair loss.
Is PRP an effective treatment?
A group of scientists conducted a systematic review of PRP research as a hair regrowth treatment in 2019. Their results published in the aesthetic plastic surgery newspaper.
Ultimately, the analysis focused on 11 study articles which included 262 participants having androgenetic alopecia. Authors claim that most studies have found the efficacy of PRP injections to reduce hair loss with increased density of hair growth and diameter.
However, they accepted that PRP hair treatment is controversial and observed that low study quality was among their investigation’s limiting factors.
According to another 2019 systematic review, the findings of 2019 studies investigating PRP as a hair loss therapy were observed in dermatological surgery. A total of 460 individuals were hired for this research. In those with androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, the writers say, most studies show the effectiveness of PRP for hair regrowth.
Based on their findings, PRP was considered a promising hair loss therapy by the writers of an additional clinical study review published by the international journal of women’s dermatology.
However, the team observed that to administer PRP, different medical practitioners and clinics use different techniques for injections, preparations, and session intervals; that’s why their impacts may differ.
At this stage, the authors clarify that without a standardized protocol for injections, it is hard to conclude the effectiveness of PRP hair treatment for hair loss.
PRP hair treatment Procedure:
This non-surgical hair replacement treatment is based on three steps; the whole process takes about 1 hour. Most PRP therapy requires 3 treatments over a period of 4-6 weeks.
Step-1:
The specialist will draw your blood, typically from the veins in the arms and place it into a centrifuge.
Information: A centrifuge is a device that quickly spins to separate different density liquids.
Step-2:
After about 10 minutes, your blood will be split into 3 layers in the centrifuge.
- Red blood cells.
- Platelet-poor plasma.
- Platelet-rich plasma.
Step-3:
Then using a syringe, the medical practitioner will extract a platelet-rich plasma and inject it into the area of the scalp where hair regrowth is required.
Downtime: No downtime is involved in PRP hair treatment. The person can immediately return to normal activities without any limitations.
How long does it last?
PRP is not a treatment for the conditions that cause hair loss. The same condition applies to medicines, such as finasteride (Propecia) and topical minoxidil (Regaine), which are widely used by physicians to treat androgenetic alopecia. This is why multiple treatments are required over time to maintain hair growth results.
Depending on the person’s situation and the outcome of the first treatment, the doctor’s recommendation for the number of further treatments will vary.
Side effects:
As mentioned earlier, the PRP solution involves a person’s blood component, so there are few risks of reaction or getting a communicable disease.
Still, some risks associated with PRP therapy that people undergoing this treatment may experience.
- Scalp tenderness.
- Scar tissue.
- Injury to nerves or blood vessels.
- Mild pain at the injection site.
- Calcification at the injection points.
- Temporary bleeding at the injection site.
There is also a possibility that you may experience an adverse response to the anaesthetic used in treatment. If you decide to opt for PRP hair loss treatment, it is recommended to consult your doctor first and get to know your anaesthetic tolerance in advance.
Pre-treatment instructions:
- Consult your doctor and discuss your medical history.
- Before the procedure, ensure your doctor knows all medications, including supplements and herbs, you’re using.
What are the contradictions of PRP hair treatment?
You are not the right candidate if you have been diagnosed with:
- Metabolic disorder.
- Thyroid disease.
- Chronic or acute infections.
- Low platelet count.
- Chronic liver disease.
- Systematic disorder.
- Chronic skin disease.
- Hemodynamic instability.
- Platelet dysfunction syndrome.
Some specialists may not recommend this non-surgical hair replacement treatment if you:
- Are a heavy smoker.
- Are on blood thinners.
- Are an addict to alcohol.
How much does PRP hair treatment cost?
Depending on the listed below factors, the price of PRP for hair loss may vary:
- Quality of equipment.
- Geographical location.
- The doctor’s fee structure.
- The addition of nutritional components.
- The severity of baldness.
Does the Insurance plan cover the cost of PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy is considered a cosmetic treatment; that’s why most insurance plans don’t cover this treatment’s cost. However, consult with your insurance provider to see if they cover PRP treatment for you.
The bottom lines:
If you are worried about hair loss, there are a number of alternatives, including hair transplant surgery, and medication such as Propecia and Rogaine are available. Although researchers found some evidence showing the effectiveness of PRP hair treatment for hair loss, it is another option you may opt for.
However, as mentioned earlier, limited clinical proofs are available. So, in order to confirm its effectiveness, further research is required, but many believers claim that it is an effective and safe way to treat hair loss.
If you’re a medical professional looking to enrol in Advanced Botox & Dermal Fillers, then you’re in the right place. Chelsford PRP Course comprises both practical and theoretical components, so you will be able to handle patients immediately after completing it.
In addition to giving you hands-on experience with live patients, our highly experienced tutors will ensure that you have a full understanding and confidence to deal with clients.
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