Overview | Hair PRP injections | Treatment process | Post-treatment care | Finding a doctor
Hair loss is an extremely common condition that affects almost everyone at some point. Hair loss is a frequently discussed topic with regards to men, but hardly anyone talks about female hair loss, which is also a reality. In fact, a study by Harvard Health says about one-third of women experience hair loss at some point in their lives.
Treating hair loss at an early stage is crucial to getting the best results. I simply cannot emphasize this enough. Now, there are many treatments out there for hair loss and the wide array might leave you confused. In this article, I want to discuss hair PRP treatment, which is a popular option for treating hair loss. I will answer some frequently asked questions on this treatment to help give you a better understanding of it.
What are PRP hair injections?
PRP injections are based on the concept of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine is a field of medicine that seeks to re-grow or reengineer damaged cells and tissues in the human body. Most of this repair is done with the help of stem cells. HSS Center for Regenerative Medicine, New York notes how the field of regenerative medicine is rapidly evolving and I personally think this is great news. With this information in mind, hair PRP injections are those that use the patient’s own platelets to rejuvenate and heal their health issues. With regards to hair loss treatment, PRP injections see platelet-rich plasma get injected into the patient’s scalp. This is done to promote hair growth and prevent the miniaturization of the hair follicle. The PRP hair loss injections spread growth factors to the affected parts of the body to accelerate the healing process.
What are the benefits of the treatment?
One of the major reasons why I advocate the hair PRP treatment for hair loss is because it has so many outstanding benefits. Let me take you through some of the main ones:
- Prevents further hair loss
- Promotes denser and healthier hair
- Stops miniaturization of the hair follicle
- Plumps up the follicle for a hair transplant procedure
- Reduces scarring on treated areas
- Has no major side-effects
- Improves wound healing
- Gives natural-looking hair treatment results
- Enjoys a high success rate
- Painless with topical anesthesia
- Improves the anagen phase of hair growth, which is the active phase
How does PRP hair treatment work?
Let me take you through the hair PRP treatment process:
- Blood is taken from your arm and put into a centrifuge machine that helps separate it into its components
- Platelet-rich plasma is taken from different components such as red blood cells
- The platelet-rich plasma is then re-injected back into the areas that are affected by hair loss
Hair PRP treatment is often carried out along with other treatments for hair loss such as hair transplant.
What are the PRP post-treatment steps?
Post your hair PRP treatment, your doctor will give you specific instructions on caring for your hair and scalp. Some things that I personally advise include:
- Do not touch the treated areas for at least eight hours
- Do take the painkillers and other medications
- Do not apply ice to the treated areas
- Avoid saunas for at least two days after treatment
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Keep the treated part away from sun exposure
What is the hair PRP treatment duration?
PRP for hair loss is not a time-consuming procedure. On an average, it takes around 30 minutes per patient though this can vary on an individual basis. Your dermatologist will let you know exactly how long your session will take.
How many sessions or visits are required?
This is another major concern that most patients have. In general, each patient would require around four sessions with a gap of four weeks between each session. Post all these sessions, I do still follow up with my patients once a year to make sure they are doing okay and looking after their hair the right way.
Are there any risks or side effects of hair PRP?
One major fact about hair PRP treatment is that since the patient receives their own plasma, they are not at any risk for infection or allergy. The side-effects are minor and usually involve very minor bruising, itching, and swelling at the treated spots. This should fade in around two to five days depending on how fast you normally heal.
Who is an ideal candidate for PRP?
Prior to getting any treatment done, your dermatologist will assess your hair loss. This will be done to determine your cause of hair loss as well as the regenerative capacities of your body.
While diagnosis can vary between cases, I personally recommend hair PRP treatment for patients who are at an early stage of hair loss. It can be successfully used to treat hair thinning and balding in both men and women. The National Center for Biotechnology Information in the United States has noted the high efficacy of PRP in treating androgenic alopecia, which is commonly called male pattern baldness.
How can you find a suitable dermatologist for PRP?
I always stress on the importance of going to a qualified dermatologist for hair PRP treatment. You can ask around and take a recommendation from any friends or colleagues who might have had similar treatments. It helps to choose a doctor whose clinic is close to your home. Finally, make sure to read online reviews and check the dermatologist’s credentials before proceeding.
Which questions should you ask your doctor before the treatment?
I make it a point to discuss any treatment in detail with my patients before they go for it. With regards to hair PRP treatment, here are some crucial questions that you must ask your doctor:
- What will be the side-effects?
- Am I suited for this treatment?
- Will I require multiple sessions?
- Do I need to take some days off work for the treatment?
- How soon will I see results from my treatment?
- What is the total cost of the treatment?
- Are there any lifestyle changes that I should make after the treatment?
Closing thoughts
Hair PRP treatment is no miracle. It takes time and perseverance. Yet, like all good things that are waited for patiently, it yields results. If hair loss is giving you sleepless nights, do consider talking to a dermatologist about the suitability of hair PRP treatment for you. Remember that each patient’s needs are different. So, do follow your dermatologist’s instructions precisely for the best results and healthy hair days.
References
- Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/treating-female-pattern-hair-loss
- HSS Center for Regenerative Medicine, New York: https://www.hss.edu/regenerative-medicine.asp#tab-2
- National Center for Biotechnology Information United States: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4134641/
Dr. Batul Patel is a celebrity dermatologist and the medical director of The Bombay Skin Clinic an award winning clinic located in South Mumbai & Bandra. She is a passionate and dedicated dermatologist with expertise in all fields of dermatology, trichology and aesthetic dermatology. She has been practicing for more than a decade. Her range of expertise include emsculpt NEO, coolsculpting, fillers, acne treatment, lasers, skin rejuvenation, hair loss, hair transplant, PRP & pigmentation treatments.