How PRP Works for Hair Loss
If you’re suffering from hair loss or thinning, there’s a drug-free treatment that can stimulate hair regrowth and restore fuller hair. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a therapy
doctors use to accelerate healing and treat problems like orthopedic pain. The same blood cells that promote healing in orthopedic patients can combat hair loss.
Leading dermatologist Paul Wallace, MD, and the team at Wallace Skin & Body Institute specialize in cosmetic and medical dermatology. With PRP therapy, it’s possible to slow hair loss and restore a fuller head of hair.
What is PRP therapy?
Could the solution to your hair loss be in your blood? To understand how PRP thwarts hair loss, it helps to learn more about the role of platelets and tissue repair. Your blood is composed of red and white blood cells, as well as platelets. When there’s an injury, whether it’s a cut or other wound, the body releases platelets as “first responders” that travel to the site of injury to stimulate healing.
PRP therapy harnesses the power of platelets to stimulate and enhance tissue repair. To make PRP, the team at Wallace draws a small amount of your blood and uses a centrifuge to separate out the red blood cells. By removing the red blood cells, they obtain a concentrated source of your very own PRP ready to inject into target areas.
Platelets and hair regrowth
PRP contains growth factors that initiate and enhance tissue repair. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. It occurs as a result of damage to hair follicles.
In men, it’s also called male pattern baldness and typically causes hair loss that occurs at the front and top of the head. Men with androgenetic alopecia lose the natural “M” shape as the hairline recedes.
In women, hair becomes thin all over the head but may begin thinning at the crown.
Treatment with PRP benefits hair loss in numerous ways. Hair goes through three main stages: active growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and resting (telogen). One way PRP benefits hair loss is by extending the growth phase of hair follicles.
Additionally, PRP therapy both increases the thickness of hair follicles so that you have fuller, denser hair, and also boosts blood flow to follicles. When injected into the scalp, PRP stimulates specialized cells involved in hair growth called dermal papilla. This plays a crucial role in promoting hair regrowth.
How long do results last?
While PRP therapy is not a cure for androgenetic alopecia, maintenance injections every 3-6 months can provide lasting results. The goal is to get hair loss under control, stimulate repair, and promote hair regrowth so that you enjoy a fuller head of hair.
Combining PRP with other treatments
PRP therapy can be combined with other treatments such as topical minoxidil and the oral antiandrogenic drug finasteride. Combining PRP with other treatments can enhance your results and boost overall effectiveness by slowing hair loss and boosting hair regrowth.
If you’re struggling with hair loss, it may be time to consider an innovative treatment. To learn more about how we can help restore a fuller head of hair, and for all of your dermatology needs, we invite you to give our knowledgeable team a call or book online to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Wallace.