PRP Hair Restoration
HAIR RESTORATION THROUGH PRP THERAPY
About 50 million American men and 30 million women experience male- or female-pattern baldness. While it can occur early, it’s more common in later years. More than 50 percent of men will experience some type of hair loss after 50. Read more about it here on our blog. Kass Precision Medicine is a leading practitioner of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy and uses cutting-edge treatment to counter the effects of hair loss through refollicularization.
PRP hair restoration, step by step
Initial consult: Before the procedure gets underway, Dr. Kass will discuss your goals and expectations, as well as your medical and lifestyle history. After a thorough consultation, Dr. Kass will determine the best course of treatment, often combining Rogaine, stem cell therapy, and A-cell protocol to boost the treatment.
Applying numbing cream: A topical anesthesia cream will be applied to the scalp to minimize any discomfort.
Blood draw: We will draw blood from your arm.
Isolating PRP: We will place a vial of your drawn blood into a special centrifuge for 5–10 minutes to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
PRP injection and application: To ensure maximum penetration, we will apply PRP over the entire scalp, injecting it into key areas, such as at the hairline.
Microneedling: At the end of the procedure we apply the small amount of remaining PRP topically and then microneedle those treated areas to ensure optimal penetration.
THE POWER OF MICRONEEDLING
The treatment uses hundreds of sterile oscillating microneedles to puncture the top layer of the skin—don’t worry, we numb the area so it doesn’t hurt. We then applies PRP extracted from the patient. The PRP “cocktail” is full of growth factors and penetrates the punctured scalp for optimal efficacy; the procedure stimulates refollicularization for renewed hair growth.
WHAT IS PRP, EXACTLY?
Originally popularized by orthopedists for professional athletes in the 1970s to help heal injuries, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is now used extensively for orthopedic treatments for regenerating ligaments, tendons, and joint injuries, and in orthopedic surgeries to improve surgical outcomes and patient recovery. PRP’s applications are wide-ranging, since it has the ability to regrow collagen, enrich fibrin, and aid in the formation of new blood vessels. PRP is known to speed wound healing and aid in the growth of target tissues, including hair follicles.
HOW DOES PRP WORK?
PRP is a concentrated preparation of your own growth factors extracted from your own blood. When injected into an area of concern, PRP stimulates a stem cell response for regeneration of the target tissue. (Platelets are blood cells that assist the clotting process. As a clot forms, platelets release enzymes that attract powerful stem cells to aid in the repair of a damaged area.) In our practice, we apply a powerful PRP “cocktail” during the hair restoration treatment that concentrates growth factors and platelets at 8–10 times of normal plasma. Using one of the leading PRP harvesting systems available, we draw a patient’s blood and then runs the blood through a specialized centrifuge to separate out and concentrate the patient’s own platelets and growth factors. This concentrated growth factor extract—with all its amazing healing and restorative properties—is then applied to and injected in targeted areas for regeneration.
HOW DOES PRP THERAPY COMPARE WITH OTHER OPTIONS?
As many patients already know, other treatments for hair loss can present problems or deliver underwhelming results. Drugs like finasteride and minoxidil require consistent, long-term use and have side effects ranging from itchiness to sexual dysfunction. Hair transplants are painful, expensive, and have a lengthy recovery time. In contrast, patients undergoing PRP therapy experience mild discomfort, no down time, and results within three months. We will work with you to find the best option for your hair restoration needs.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?
Recent research indicates that PRP therapy delivers results. In a 2014 study, researchers in India looked at men with male-pattern baldness who used both approved medications, but saw little change in their hair growth. After four PRP treatments, however, they had about 30 percent more growth in thinning areas. A 2017 study in Italy found male patients had increased hair and density in areas where doctors used PRP therapy.
IS PRP THERAPY FOR HAIR RESTORATION RIGHT FOR ME?
PRP is derived from one’s own body so, in theory, anyone should be able to undergo this treatment and benefit from it. Specifically, PRP therapy can be used to treat the following:
Pattern hair loss, classifications Norwood types I–IV for men or Ludwig types I–II for women
Thinning hair
Hereditary history of hair loss
Alopecia
For the best results, it’s recommended to begin PRP therapy as soon as you notice thinning. The treatment is more effective if hair loss is recent, as it’s easier to stimulate hair follicles that haven’t been dormant for a long time.
There are a few people who should take caution before scheduling PRP therapy: if you have blood-related conditions, anemia, or blood or bone cancers, seek an alternative treatment. An underlying disorder such as thyroid disease and lupus will hinder PRP results because these conditions continue to cause hair loss over time. Patients who take blood-thinning medication or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) should discontinue their medication for a few weeks before their treatment and for a few days afterward. While PRP is a powerful option, Kass Precision Medicine always takes a comprehensive approach to hair loss, pinpointing factors that could contribute to hair loss, such as thyroid or hormone issues.
FAQs
Q: HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
A: Each hair restoration treatment takes approximately 45 minutes. Part of the session includes waiting for the PRP to be extracted from the patient’s blood.
Q: HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?
A: For new patients, we recommend 3–5 treatments for women and men, scheduled 1–2 months apart, with periodic maintenance treatments.
Q: WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO SEE RESULTS?
A: Patients experience 30 percent or more refollicularization through PRP therapy. Within a month, you will notice baby hairs coming in, and results should reach peak growth at 3 months post-procedure. Hair will continue to grow over 12–15 months, making hair appear thicker and denser.
Q: HOW LONG DO RESULTS LAST?
A: For most patients, results last 1–2 years and we recommend periodic maintenance treatments.
Q: WHAT’S THE DOWNTIME?
A: There is no downtime and no known side effects for PRP therapy for hair restoration. After treatment, you can resume normal activities. However, be advised that your scalp can be tender and experience flaking for up to a week as injection sites are healing. We recommend that patients use a gentle shampoo after the procedure.
Q: IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?
A: While not a day at the spa—this is a medical procedure, after all—we do everything possible to make patients as comfortable as possible. We apply a topical numbing cream to the area to be treated and use a vibration device that also minimizes discomfort. We adhere to a “no-burn” protocol, diluting the PRP with a saline solution to minimize any stinging without compromising any of the concentrated growth factors and platelets. Patients report minimal pain.
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