PRP for Hair Restoration

PRP for Hair Restoration

PRP is an exciting non-surgical hair restoration option for both men and women. It helps stimulate follicles, rejuvenating thinning hair so that it grows thicker and fuller.

How PRP Hair Restoration Works

Blood is drawn in our office the same way as getting routine blood work at your primary care provider. The blood is spun in a high-speed centrifuge, which separates the platelet rich plasma (PRP) from the rest of the blood sample.

This highly concentrated PRP is then injected into the scalp. You’ll feel no pain during the injections due to local anesthesia. Afterward, you should be able to drive home with no side effects.

PRP contains several growth factors which stimulate hair follicle growth. It can be used:

• Preoperatively
• Intraoperatively
• Postoperatively

Many patients get PRP treatments every three to four months, as early data suggests regular or semiannual PRP treatments may stimulate hair growth.

Typically, one can expect to see results from PRP injections within a few weeks or months. Results will sometimes vary from patient to patient, but thus far, PRP has been shown to offer a real solution to people who wish to restore their hair and gain a more youthful appearance.

Platelet Rich Plasma Hair Restoration at NovaGenix

The Science Behind PRP for Hair Restoration

The primary purpose of using PRP in hair restoration is to stimulate inactive or newly implanted hair follicles into an active growth phase.

Platelets contain the growth factors essential for our own body’s tissue healing and repair. Inside the platelets, there are several intracellular structures that encourage growth, including:

• Glycogen
• Lysosomes
• Alpha Granules

Stem Cells for Hair Loss

PRP cells that cause hair growth include:

• Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)—promotes blood vessel growth, cell replication, skin formation
• Transforming Growth-Factor-Beta (TGF-b)—promotes the growth of matrix between cells, bone metabolism
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)—promotes blood vessel formation
• Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)—promotes cell growth and differentiation, blood vessel formation, collagen formation
• Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2)—promotes the growth of specialized cells and blood vessel formation
• Insulin Like Growth Factor – (IGF)—regulates normal physiology in nearly every type of cell in the bod

Why PRP for Hair Restoration Is Increasingly Popular

Mounting evidence supports Plasma Rich Platelet Injection Therapy as an extremely promising hair restoration treatment option.

It should be noted that this application of PRP is in the early stages of scientific research, which means it is not intended to replace current FDA-approved treatments. However, it is a promising non-surgical therapeutic option for patients with hair loss and has shown some amazing results thus far.

Frequently Asked Questions About PRP for Hair Loss

What Causes Hair Loss?

Most scientists believe that male pattern baldness is caused largely by an endogenous androgen hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). That said, disease, medication, and genetics can also play a role.

How Long Does PRP Take to Work?

New hair growth can typically be seen 4-6 months after the PRP injections were performed. This growth can continue for up to 15 months after PRP. Usually, after the 12-month mark, the patient has a good idea of how successful the PRP hair treatment will be.

How Many PRP Treatments Will Be Needed?

Most patients need three initial treatments. After that, maintenance treatments are typically recommended once every 12 months.

What’s the PRP Success Rate?

PRP is effective for both men and women in roughly 70% of cases. While PRP doesn’t grow new follicles, it nourishes the existing ones, causing hair to grow back thicker and fuller.

How Long Does PRP Hair Treatment Last?

PRP’s effects typically last anywhere from one year to three years. After that, the effects may fade, necessitating follow-up maintenance. This is similar to what you can expect from most cosmetic treatments.

What Are the Side Effects of PRP Hair Treatment?

The best part of PRP is that there are very few side effects and risks associated with it. Because you are using your own blood, the body will not reject its own cells. The chances of an infection are limited when the necessary safety and sterilization techniques are followed.