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Using PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) for Hair Restoration in Aesthetic Medicine

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is a natural treatment option for hair restoration in aesthetic medicine. 

This article will discuss the basics of PRP therapy, including what PRP is and how it works. 

We will also look at the current uses of PRP therapy for hair restoration and discuss the potential benefits and risks of this treatment.

PRP for Hair Restoration

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. It’s a cutting edge form of regenerative medicine that is becoming widely used for cosmetic therapy because it helps restore youthful skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.

Plasma is the clear liquid portion of your blood that contains white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. 

Platelets are tiny blood cells that play an important role in clotting and healing. When injected into the scalp, PRP releases growth factors that promote hair growth and improve the quality of the hair.

PRP therapy is a relatively new treatment option, so there is limited research on its efficacy. However, current studies suggest that PRP therapy may be an effective treatment for hair loss (alopecia areata).

What is alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is a slowly progressing kind of baldness that affects men and women. It can start as early as the teens. In alopecia areata, the hair follicles shrink and stop growing hair. 

The cause is unknown, but it may be due to an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles.

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What are some treatments for alopecia?

Hair loss treatment is an important aspect of clinical dermatology that significantly impacts the quality of life of patients. Finasteride, which is taken orally, and minoxidil, which is applied topically, are two common medical therapies for hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia.

Other treatments exist, one of which is platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which has shown to be effective in restoring hair in men with androgenic alopecia.

Different mechanisms are involved, including proliferation, differentiation, and cellular maturation, which may induce hair growth once more. Hair stem and shaft health is improved and calibre; vitality, gloss, and pliability are improved, and hair breakage and splitting are reduced.

PRP (platelet-rich plasm) is a safe and effective treatment option for people who are losing their hair.

PRP is a serum that contains high concentrations of platelets as well as other key growth elements that aid hair development.

Overall, it has a promising therapeutic response in patients with hair loss. Skin ischemia conditions have improved, and PRP treatment has also helped to restore the vascular structures surrounding hair follicles.

Many of the current hair loss therapy approaches have improved angiogenesis and blood flow.

Microneedling, a simple dermatological technique, is also a recommended option for hair re-growth among the other therapies.

It uses very thin needles to bleed the skin’s stratum corneum, causing revascularization, collagen creation, and growth factor production in the treated areas.

In one study, ten male patients with male pattern hair loss received three treatments of PRP, one month apart. The injections were administered on one half of the head and placebo injection on the other.

After three months, the PRP treatment areas should a significant increase in hair density, while the placebo area showed a slight reduction. 

Another study found that PRP therapy was more effective than minoxidil (Rogaine), a common treatment for hair loss.

How do PRP treatments for hair loss work?

PRP therapy for hair restoration is typically done in a series of three treatments , spaced four to six weeks apart. The first treatment is usually the most intensive, and subsequent treatments are typically less so.

PRP therapy begins with a blood draw. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge, which spins the blood to separate out the platelet-rich plasma.

The PRP is then injected into the scalp with a very fine needle. The injections are typically done in the areas of the scalp that are most affected by hair loss.

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Side effects of PRP:

There are risks associated with PRP because it involves injecting a chemical into the skin. PRP is autologous, which means it is made entirely of substances derived from your own body.

This lowers the chances of an allergic reaction toother drugs. However, there are hazards associated with the injection, including:

  • Nerve damage due to infection
  • tissue damage and discomfort at the injection location

Contraindications:

PRP treatment should be avoided if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Immunosuppressive illnesses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hantaviruses (HTV), or immunosuppressive medicines have weakened the immune system.
  • Skin problems and disorders, such as Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and melanoma, as well as systemic cancer and on-going treatments.
  • Anticoagulation therapy, steroid therapy, dermatological illnesses of the face (e.g., Porphyria), communicable diseases, blood disorders, and platelet abnormalities (i.e., Warfarin), and pregnant women should also be avoided.

Who can benefit from PRP for Hair Restoration Treatment?

PRP injections can help a much wider range of people. These PRP infusions may benefit the following individuals:

  • Both men and women. Male baldness and hair thinning are often discussed, but women do not always have access to the same knowledge. Women, too, might have hair loss due to various circumstances.
  • Those with androgenic alopecia or alopecia in various types. Male/female pattern baldness is another name for this condition.
  • A large number of persons of various ages. People ranging in age from 18 to 72 have participated in a number of successful clinical trials.
  • Those who are experiencing hair loss as a result of excessive stress levels. Because this is not a chronic problem, it is relatively simple to cure.
  • Those who have lately lost their hair. The more recent the hair loss, the better your chances of getting it fixed with PRP injections before it’s too late.
  • People who have thinning or balding hair yet are not fully bald. PRP injections are used to thicken, strengthen, and grow hair from follicles that are still working, no matter how poorly.

Cost for the PRP for Hair Restoration Treatment

PRP therapy usually consists of three treatments over the course of four to six weeks, with follow-up treatments every four to six months. 

The cost of the first three treatments normally runs from $1,500 to $3,500, with one injection costing $400 or more. The cost is determined by a variety of criteria, including:

  • Location
  • The quality of the equipment used
  • The inclusion of nutritious components.

PRP for hair loss therapy is considered cosmetic by many insurance plans, thus none of the expenditures is covered.

Conclusion

If you are considering using PRP therapy for hair restoration in your aesthetics practice or medical spa, it is important to remember that the treatment is still considered experimental by the FDA. 

That said, there are many promising studies that suggest PRP could be a safe and effective treatment for hair loss.

PRP therapy may be right for your patient if they are experiencing hair loss and would like to try a non-invasive, minimally-invasive treatment option. 

As with any cosmetic treatment, be sure to go over the potential risks and benefits of PRP therapy with your patient prior to treatment.

If you would like to add PRP for Aesthetics to your treatment menu, our self-study online certificate, Introduction to PRP for Aesthetics can help guide you step-by-step.

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