What is PRP for Hair?
PRP for Hair, also known as Platelet Rich Plasma, is a medical treatment that seeks to harvest the natural growth factors found in the blood and redistribute these growth factors to the cells of the body, a good way to think of PRP is like the best natural fertiliser for your body. When the cells of the body receive PRP, they are provided with the growth factors required to produce their optimal output. Eg. A Hair Follicle producing a Thicker and Healthier Hair Strand.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP for Hair) results can help prevent further hair loss & regrow thinning hair thicker & fuller.
How PRP boosts a HT
PRP for Hair Regrowth – Frequently Asked Questions
What results can you expect with PRP for Hair?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP for Hair) has been shown to help:
- Regrow Thinning Hair Thicker with PRP for Hair:
Where the hair is thinning the hair strand can appear to lay lifeless, very flat and close to the scalp. So, instead of growing up and outwards to the scalp, the thinning hair can grow flat and close to the scalp like a withering plant that’s drifting and falling over. PRP has shown to help the hair to grow more upright. This results in greater density and coverage of the scalp due to baldness. However, like with all most preventary treatments like this, you need to maintain the result. Maintenance of the result can be achieved by doing a repeat treatment every fourth month. - Prevent Further Hair Loss;
When you experience hair loss, firstly the hair starts to thin, then eventually it can lead to the follicle no longer being intact. Platelet Rich Plasma seeks to directly supply the thinning hair follicle with the nutrients it requires to continue growing a thicker, fuller and healthier hair strand. PRP for Hair Loss can be thought of as being a fertiliser for your hair follicles. - Promote & Accelerate the recovery after a hair transplant;
PRP therapy has long been known for the benefits it can offer wound recovery. When applied as part of pre and post hair transplant treatment plan, Platelet Rich Plasma has shown to positively benefit the:
– Transplanted hair follicle
– Skin in the donor region
– Skin in the recipient region
– Degree of shock loss is noticeably less in hair transplant patients who adopt PRP vs those who do not.
Whats involved in Platelet Rich Plasma for Hair Treatments?
About the PRP Procedure;
Platelet Rich Plasma involves extracting some blood out of the patient, the blood is then spun very quickly to separate the red and white blood cells from the platelets within the blood (shown in the photo right being the yellow substance). The plasmas of platelets is then re-injected through the region that is thinning/balding or the region that is about to have a transplant. This aids the preparation of the skin or the hair follicles in the region before any procedure takes place.
More about Platelet Rich Plasma results;
Platelet Rich Plasma is a treatment that can help to reduce the volume of hair loss and help thicken up thinning hair. It is essential that PRP for hair is completed in a very clinical environment by a doctor who has performed many of the treatments.
Will PRP grow more hair?
Short Answer: NO
Long Answer: To Grow More Hair where the follicle no longer exists, is only possible by doing a hair transplant. PRP Platelet Rich Plasma will not regrow hair where the hair follicle is not present.
Will PRP regrow thinning hair thicker like it was before?
Short Answer: NO
Long Answer: PRP for hair loss uses the growth factors within the blood & initates the growth cycle for hair follicles, therefore PRP stimulates the hair follicle to regrow a thicker an healthier hair naturally. However, PRP for Hair will unlikely regrow your hair thick and dense like it was before, however patients who have used Platelet Rich Plasma for Hair Regrowth have found, hair that has thinned grows more upright and erect.
Patients with originally THICK hair may notice;
Where their hair was THICK originally and has thinned, it is common to see thickening of hair in the region.
Patients with originally THIN hair may notice;
Where the hair was naturally THIN and has thinned further, it is more than likely that the hair is has more natural shine and health.
Look at this female (to the right) who has female genetic hair loss, she received 2 x PRP treatments close together. Notice how the Platelet Rich Plasma has turned her thin and fine hair on the sides into dense & thicker hair. The patient has not used any different styling products or shampoos or treatments as she did in the past, the only change was the addition of the PRP.
Will PRP permanently stop hair loss?
Short Answer: NO
Long Answer: Platelet Rich Plasma can assist to prevent hair loss by preventing hair from becoming thin. PRP for Hair will not permanently stop hair loss. However it is one of few known treatments that do not require daily consumption or application, like finasteride and minoxidil. Platelet Rich Plasma PRP for Hair requires maintenance treatments 4-6mths after the initial booster treatments which are far easier to maintain than daily tablets or chemical potions.
Are there any side effects with PRP?
Side effects of PRP can include discomfort in the treated region 1-3 days post procedure. In very rare instances, patients may notice a degree of swelling post PRP procedure, this is the local injection migrating down the face and forehead following the procedure, it rarely lasts more than 1-2 days and has impacted less than 5% of PRP Patients.
In the event if you ever feel you are experiencing side effects due to any medication or procedure, please contact your medical professional without delay.
Is there an age limit for PRP for hair regrowth and hair loss prevention?
Short Answer: NOT REALLY
Long Answer: As with all medical treatments, clearly defining the results you are seeking to achieve must occur via a consultation. If hair loss prevention, hair rejuvenation or preparation for an up coming hair transplant procedure is established, then it is likely Platelet Rich Plasma could be incorporated in your hair loss treatment plan.
PRP and Hair Transplants, do they compliment each other?
Short Answer: YES!
Long Answer: Platelet Rich Plasma has shown to rapidly increase the recovery of the skin and hair after a hair transplant procedure. Take a look at these before and afters of Igor for evidence that Platelet Rich Plasma for hair is brilliant for post hair transplant hair follicles.
Can anyone perform PRP or only a Doctor?
Only a registered Doctor performs PRP for hair regrowth therapy. Some hair loss clinics use topical lotions to anesthetize the area, others believe in maximum patient comfort and also maximum hair regrowth results, and have found that local anesthetic keeps patients far more relaxed and comforted.
How is PRP performed?
1. 10-30mL of blood is extracted.
2. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge and spun for 5mins to separate the red/white blood cells from the platelets.
3. The local anesthetic is injected.
4. The plasma of your own platelets is then injected into the treatment area.
The entire process of doing PRP for Hair takes approx 30mins.
How long has PRP been practiced worldwide?
Platelet Rich Plasma is first documented to have been used in 1987 on an open heart surgery patient.
What is the history of PRP (any medical field)?
Platelet Rich Plasma has been adopted in the following medical applications
- Dental and Oral Surgery
- Skin repair due to injury
- Skin repair associated with cosmetic procedures
- Cardiac Muscle Repair
- Bone Repair and Regeneration
- And of course, Hair Regrowth and Hair Regeneration
Am I awake during PRP?
YES
You are awake during PRP, as the process only takes ~30mins. You will be administered with a local anesthetic, or appropriate medication if the doctor feels it is necessary.
Do I feel it?
Short Answer: Depends
Long Answer: With the local anesthetic that “stings” but only for 2-5 seconds. Once the local injection kicks in, you are not in any pain or any discomfort. If you are getting the PRP without any anesthetic the pain would depend on the place where the injections are made; usually some parts of the head are more sensitive than others and people also have a different pain tolerance. However, even without anesthetic the procedure is perfectly manageable.
That first night, what can the patient expect?
The patient should not wash or irritate the area, just let it rest overnight. The patient may feel some slight discomfort, as if they had bumped their head throughout the day. If they have received treatment to the donor region, it may feel slightly tender in the immediate region where the PRP was injected, however the discomfort is temporary, however if pain persists, seek a medical practitioner.
The next morning, can I wash my hair and style it as per usual?
Short Answer: YES
Long Answer: The following morning after PRP treatment for your hair, simply wash and style your hair as per normal.
Any issues I should be aware of in the 1-4 day period post PRP?
You may feel like the scalp is mildly bruised, however no headaches thus far have been reported. In rare occasions, patients may notice some excess fluid around the forehead on day 2-3 post procedure, this is the fluid resulting from the local anesthetic which is moving down the forehead post procedure. The swelling has occured in less than 5% of patients and none have said it would stop them from doing PRP in the future.