Platelet Rich Plasma for Hair Restoration
Hair loss can be very distressing for both men and women leading to a decrease in self confidence. Hair loss in women is often overlooked as it is diffuse, leading to thinning of hair over most of the female scalp. In fact, at the stage that thinning is visible to the patient, approximately 50% reduction has already occurred. This diffuse thinning of hair occurs in many women with the natural aging process. However, both men and women can now have thicker, healthier hair with platelet rich plasma derived from their own blood.
With many people searching for a hair loss cure and for ways to stimulate hair growth, Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a simple non-surgical option to treat hair loss, especially in the early stages before one has literally become bald. For complete baldness, a hair transplant or hair piece is the most effective option. However, for everyone else, PRP can stop the hair loss and result in 30% more hair growth, with new hair shafts as well as thicker hair. In addition, even after a hair transplant, unless a treatment such as Platelet rich plasma is performed, the newly transplanted hair will not be maintained as well.
HOW THIS METHOD OF HAIR REGROWTH WORKS
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been used for decades in various medical disciplines such as sports medicine, orthopedics, oral surgery, and neurosurgery to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. Now there are over 20 studies in the medical literature demonstrating PRP effectiveness in stopping hair loss and improving scalp hair caliber and density. It is especially useful to combat thinning hair before it becomes complete baldness.
PRP is extracted from the patient’s own blood – there is virtually no risk of any allergic reactions or side effects. Medical research has discovered seven growth factors contained in platelets that are thought to help stimulate hair growth, and there are likely many more factors to be identified that rejuvenate the scalp tissues. Additionally, PRP extraction techniques have improved recently, leading to higher numbers of quality viable platelets. It is especially useful to combat thinning hair before it becomes complete baldness. In fact, once complete baldness occurs, unfortunately it is too late to reverse.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Upon arrival for your appointment, a quantity of your blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. Your blood contains the platelets, growth factors, and certain white blood cells that will be concentrated by us to inject into your scalp. We use very tiny needles, and most patients do not even ask for any local anaesthetic. However, we have various comfort measures available to make the entire process virtually pain free. Your own platelets and growth factors are injected 3 mm deep into your scalp with several injections depending on your hair loss pattern. The entire process will take about 30-40 minutes. The PRP will stimulate inactive hair follicles to enter the active growth phase.
If possible, Aspirin (ASA) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) should be avoided prior to treatment and for one week post treatment as these drugs interfere with platelet function.
RESULTS
The first thing that you should notice after PRP for the scalp is that your hair loss should virtually cease. Then over a period of weeks, you should notice hair regrowth and see thicker hair on your head. Medical studies have shown about 30% more hair growth, with generally more hair growth in women than men. PRP can be combined with topical or compounded oral minoxidil, or finasteride to enhance results as well.
PRP is an effective treatment option for young men with early hair loss that are not candidates for hair transplantation because the extent of their potential baldness has not been established yet. The back of the head has a limited number of hairs available for transplantation, and until the full pattern of hair loss is established, it would be prudent to wait for a hair transplant. If PRP can slow the hair loss process down, and even result in new hair growth, the young adult male can defer hair transplant surgery. Perhaps even avoid it!
In women, hair loss is mostly diffuse leading to thinning of hair all over the head. This large area is difficult to transplant, again due to limited donor hair from the back of the head. Some women have patchy hair loss along long hair part areas. Both of these female patterns of hair loss are very amenable to PRP scalp injections. What woman doesn’t desire thicker, healthier hair?
This is a list of the some of the specific growth factors within PRP that result in hair growth:
RECOMMENDED SESSIONS
The PRP Scalp protocol is three treatments at monthly intervals. Then hair growth is assessed. One can do more monthly sessions as desired, but most people will repeat the treatments at 6-12 month intervals. Theoretically, depending on results, there is no problem performing as many PRP scalp sessions at monthly intervals as desired. Results of course do vary, and women typically respond somewhat better than men.
POST TREATMENT CARE
Resume normal activities immediately post treatment
If Platelet Rich Plasma treatments are of interest to you, please contact:
False Creek Skin Solution Clinic,
660A Leg in Boot Square,
Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4B3
604-877-1299
www.fcskinsolution.com
info@fcskinsolution.com
With many people searching for a hair loss cure and for ways to stimulate hair growth, Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a simple non-surgical option to treat hair loss, especially in the early stages before one has literally become bald. For complete baldness, a hair transplant or hair piece is the most effective option. However, for everyone else, PRP can stop the hair loss and result in 30% more hair growth, with new hair shafts as well as thicker hair. In addition, even after a hair transplant, unless a treatment such as Platelet rich plasma is performed, the newly transplanted hair will not be maintained as well.
HOW THIS METHOD OF HAIR REGROWTH WORKS
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been used for decades in various medical disciplines such as sports medicine, orthopedics, oral surgery, and neurosurgery to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. Now there are over 20 studies in the medical literature demonstrating PRP effectiveness in stopping hair loss and improving scalp hair caliber and density. It is especially useful to combat thinning hair before it becomes complete baldness.
PRP is extracted from the patient’s own blood – there is virtually no risk of any allergic reactions or side effects. Medical research has discovered seven growth factors contained in platelets that are thought to help stimulate hair growth, and there are likely many more factors to be identified that rejuvenate the scalp tissues. Additionally, PRP extraction techniques have improved recently, leading to higher numbers of quality viable platelets. It is especially useful to combat thinning hair before it becomes complete baldness. In fact, once complete baldness occurs, unfortunately it is too late to reverse.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Upon arrival for your appointment, a quantity of your blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. Your blood contains the platelets, growth factors, and certain white blood cells that will be concentrated by us to inject into your scalp. We use very tiny needles, and most patients do not even ask for any local anaesthetic. However, we have various comfort measures available to make the entire process virtually pain free. Your own platelets and growth factors are injected 3 mm deep into your scalp with several injections depending on your hair loss pattern. The entire process will take about 30-40 minutes. The PRP will stimulate inactive hair follicles to enter the active growth phase.
If possible, Aspirin (ASA) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) should be avoided prior to treatment and for one week post treatment as these drugs interfere with platelet function.
RESULTS
The first thing that you should notice after PRP for the scalp is that your hair loss should virtually cease. Then over a period of weeks, you should notice hair regrowth and see thicker hair on your head. Medical studies have shown about 30% more hair growth, with generally more hair growth in women than men. PRP can be combined with topical or compounded oral minoxidil, or finasteride to enhance results as well.
PRP is an effective treatment option for young men with early hair loss that are not candidates for hair transplantation because the extent of their potential baldness has not been established yet. The back of the head has a limited number of hairs available for transplantation, and until the full pattern of hair loss is established, it would be prudent to wait for a hair transplant. If PRP can slow the hair loss process down, and even result in new hair growth, the young adult male can defer hair transplant surgery. Perhaps even avoid it!
In women, hair loss is mostly diffuse leading to thinning of hair all over the head. This large area is difficult to transplant, again due to limited donor hair from the back of the head. Some women have patchy hair loss along long hair part areas. Both of these female patterns of hair loss are very amenable to PRP scalp injections. What woman doesn’t desire thicker, healthier hair?
This is a list of the some of the specific growth factors within PRP that result in hair growth:
- Transforming Growth-Factor-Beta (TGF-b) — promotes growth of matrix between cells
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) — promotes blood vessel formation
- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) — promotes blood vessel growth, cell replication, skin formation
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) — promotes cell growth and differentiation, blood vessel formation, collagen formation
- Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2) — promotes growth of specialized cells and blood vessel formation
- Insulin Like Growth Factor (IGF) — a regulator of normal cell physiology in nearly every type of cell in the body
RECOMMENDED SESSIONS
The PRP Scalp protocol is three treatments at monthly intervals. Then hair growth is assessed. One can do more monthly sessions as desired, but most people will repeat the treatments at 6-12 month intervals. Theoretically, depending on results, there is no problem performing as many PRP scalp sessions at monthly intervals as desired. Results of course do vary, and women typically respond somewhat better than men.
POST TREATMENT CARE
Resume normal activities immediately post treatment
- It is best not to wash the hair until the next morning if possible
- You may use any hair supplement or oral treatment for hair loss that you desire
If Platelet Rich Plasma treatments are of interest to you, please contact:
False Creek Skin Solution Clinic,
660A Leg in Boot Square,
Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4B3
604-877-1299
www.fcskinsolution.com
info@fcskinsolution.com