Growing up, I often heard, ” They can put a man on the moon but they can’t_____” you fill in the blank. For me, it was a wish that they would come up with a pill that would enable me to eat anything and not gain weight and for many men and women it has been a cure for hair loss. At least the hair loss has been taken care of.
For a long time now, hair transplant clinics have been able to successfully remove a section of scalp from the back of the head, separate the individual follicles and their attached roots and replant them in the front of the hairline or where they were needed. However, a surgical procedure no matter how safe and superficial is not everyone’s cup of tea.
One of the newest and most exciting treatments for hair loss is PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma. This is the same process that is used to rejuvenate the face, also referred to as the Vampire Facelift or Puraplas. Growth Factors found in your own blood are the magic that grows new collagen in your skin and also stimulates new hair growth on your head.
How does PRP work?
Depending on the size of the area to be treated, one or two vials of your own blood are taken (just like when you go to a lab for a blood test) and then put into a centrifuge to spin it down, separating the platelets from the red & white blood cells. This ‘gold’ that is left in the top of the tube, is then extracted and injected into the scalp (3mm) where the hair is thinning. Injected platelets prompt inactive hair follicles to enter an active growth phase, causing the hair to start growing again.
Does PRP for hairless hurt?
A topical numbing cream can be used to minimize the discomfort of the injections and the best part is, there is no downtime. You can go right back to your normal activities and no one will know.
How much does PRP for hair loss cost?
One treatment per month is recommended for the first four months, and then two maintenance treatments are recommended per year. Although still in its early stages, there are no studies on its long-term effectiveness. We do know that it is safe and more cost effective than some other hair loss treatments coming in between $400 & $700 per session.
Who can use PRP for hair loss?
The best candidates are those who have just begun to lose hair. Unfortunately, if you are already bald, or have an expectation that all of your hair will return, you will be disappointed. Women have had particularly good success with PRP. One study found that “a significant reduction in hair loss was observed between first and fourth injection.” And concluded that “PRP injection is a simple, cost-effective and feasible treatment option for androgenic alopecia, with high overall patient satisfaction.”
