Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) For Hair Loss
For many people, hair loss is a profoundly upsetting experience. Losing your hair causes a significant, and likely unwelcome change in your appearance, it alters your sense of identity and for some, can destroy their self-esteem.
There are many reasons why someone might experience hair loss, and similarly, many different types of hair loss, so it’s important to have a thorough evaluation before taking any treatment into consideration. By far the most common type of hair loss is male/female-pattern baldness, or, androgenic alopecia, affecting up to 50% of men and women. In androgenic alopecia, over-activation of, or an increase in androgen receptors near the hair follicle shortens the growth phase in the normal hair cycle resulting in thinner and shorter hair follicles. Other types of hair loss include autoimmune hair loss (alopecia areata), hair shedding conditions, scaring alopecia, and secondary hair loss (resulting from another condition, process or from certain medications).
When it comes to the treatment and management of hair loss, fortunately there are options. The most commonly prescribed and well-backed with research include medications, surgery, low-level laser therapy, and platelet-rich-plasma (PRP).
PRP Hair Restoration
PRP is a treatment that uses your own blood to recharge your hair. Your blood is drawn by standard blood draw, then put into a centrifuge where it is spun to separate the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma, rich in platelets, growth and healing factors is then injected across the scalp at the level of the hair follicles. PRP stimulates hair regrowth via the promotion and creation of vascularization and angiogenesis, as well as encourages the hair follicles to enter and extend the duration of the anagen (active growth) phase of the growth cycle. Even though platelets make up only 1% of the blood, they contain more than 300 active substances, many of which are responsible for stimulating our hair, skin and nail growth. This is why PRP has quickly become one of the most popular, and sought after treatments for hair loss, in particular, for those who have been diagnosed with androgenic alopecia and do not wish to start FDA approved medications (Finasteride, Minoxidil, hormone blocking medications), those who previously tried FDA approved medications but had to stopped on account of side-effects, those who are currently using FDA approved medications and want to further improve their results, or for those who have been diagnosed with a different type of alopecia and did not respond to standard treatments.
Typically treatment begins with 3-4 monthly sessions, followed by a session at 6-8 months and then yearly thereafter to maintain results. A consultation is required before booking a treatment to determine if you are a candidate for PRP hair restoration.
In Health,
Dr. Alaina
References:
Gupta AK et al. Meta-analysis of efficacy of platelet-rich plasma therapy for androgenetic alopecia. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 Feb;28(1):55-58. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2016.1179712.
Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, FAAD. Associate Professor of Dermatology & National Trainer. Aesthetic Next Conference 2020. Using PRP in hair restoration procedures. October 5, 2020.