Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), is concentrated blood plasma which contains a much heavier concentration of platelets than normal (about five times as much). Platelets are blood cells which aid the healing of wounds by promoting the blood to clot. PRP has been an active ingredient in medicines for the last twenty years.
The potential which PRP has for treating hair loss is revolutionary and has become of keen interest in aesthetic medicine.
The injection of PRP is a procedure which uses the body’s blood to generate healing. Doctors may also incorporate its use as a procedure for thinning hair, to transplanted hair, or to promote healing. There have been many patients who have benefitted from this procedure.
PRP and Hair Loss
When hair follicles or hair roots are healthy so is hair growth. These hair follicles’ health depends on the nutrition they receive from a healthy blood supply. By introducing Platelet-rich plasma where hair follicles are damaged or unhealthy, it enhances the ability for the body to heal these follicles naturally. Many doctors believe PRP can stimulate the growth of hair follicles and prevent hair loss.
What to Expect
PRP is a three stage process.
The first stage is to extract blood from your body and prepare it for injection. This process is very similar to having a routine blood test. A nurse will take your blood and then place it in a centrifuge to separate its components. The method will produce a concentrated amount of platelet-rich plasma which is ready to be applied to the scalp.
Next, the scalp needs to be stimulated to activate a wound healing process. Before stimulation, a topical anesthesia is applied to the scalp where the treatment will be administered. A micro-needling roller device is passed across the areas to be treated to induce the healing process. This microneedle uses 192 titanium needles which pierce the skin and open tiny wounds. Once the wounds have been created, the highly concentrated PRP is injected into the scalp immediately. A special dressing is then applied to the scalp, and photodynamic treatment is administered to the injected area to aid the effects of PRP. There will be mild discomfort during the treatment, but you can return to normal activities almost immediately. The scalp will have to be protected from the sun.
The benefits received from PRP are:
- Generate new hair growth
- Thicken thinning hair areas
- Make transplants grow thicker and healthier
Suitable Candidates
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for PRP treatment. Patients who have the following issues are not suitable candidates.
- Active scalp infection
- History of viral infections like shingles or diabetes
- Patients on blood thinners
- Patients on immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporine
- Patients who have complete follicle loss
Recovery
The entire procedure lasts from one to two hours depending on the quantity of hair loss. Since a wounding process was started, there can be mild discomfort at the site where PRP is injected. Patients are advised against taking anti-inflammatory medication because it may interfere with the natural healing process. Multiple treatments may be necessary before optimal results are obtained.
For a consultation for PRP, contact Ritacca Plastic Surgery Here.
