Naturally Regrow Your Hair With Platelet Rich Plasma

Approximately 35 million men and 21 million women experience some sort of hair loss during their lifetime. By age 80, men experience a 70 percent loss rate and by age 60, women experience an 80 percent loss rate.

Wanting luscious locks doesn’t mean you want to look like Fabio on the cover of a romance novel, but feeling good about yourself has long-term effects, such as having more satisfying relationships, better performance at school and work, and improved mental and physical health.

At Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Prizant and her team offer PRP to combat hair loss, a minimally invasive treatment that uses your own platelets to stimulate hair growth.

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a substance from your body that combines platelets, which form clots to stop or prevent bleeding, with plasma, the liquid portion of blood. In recent decades, PRP has been used to treat injuries, help wounds heal after surgery, or for cosmetic procedures, like reducing signs of aging and restoring hair growth as it contains amazing growth factors.

Research has proven that PRP will naturally regrow hair. A 2022 study found that PRP is a safe and effective way to stimulate hair growth and shows significant improvement when provided along with hair transplantation. In 2020, a review of 13 studies found that patients treated with PRP have an increase in hair density. Additionally, a study in 2018 found that PRP is a promising solution to hair regrowth.

Common Hair Disorders that PRP Can Help With

PRP helps with several hair disorders, such as androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common form of male or female pattern baldness, certain diseases where the body attacks its own hair follicles, and trauma.

The PRP Hair Restoration Process

There are three key steps that go along with using PRP for hair regrowth.

1. Blood is drawn, usually from the arm. It is then placed in a centrifuge, a circular machine that spins very fast, ultimately splitting the blood into different components. Think of it like the spin cycle on a washing machine.
2. The blood is separated into 3 parts: platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma, and red blood cells.
3. The platelet-rich plasma is separated, drawn up into a syringe, and then injected into the areas of the scalp where hair growth is needed.

Are There Any Side Effects?

PRP, like all treatments, carries some side effects. First, because a blood draw will be taken, you want to make sure you are hydrated and have eaten recently. That will reduce any symptoms of dizziness or lightheadedness. After the blood draw, some soreness or bruising may occur.

One of the best aspects of PRP treatments is that you are using your own cells, so the risks of allergic reactions and other complications are low. Possible side effects include:

• bleeding
• swelling
• itching
• damaged tissue
• nerve injury
• infection

Risk Factors

Risk factors increase the chance of developing side effects or complications. Because blood is drawn to isolate the PRP in your blood, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and meloxicam, within 48 hours of your treatment may increase your risk of bleeding. Having a steroid injection within 2 to 4 weeks of therapy is also not recommended.

FAQs

Is there anyone who cannot receive PRP injections?

If you have an abnormal platelet count or a disease that affects your platelets, such as cancer, low red blood cell count (anemia), or an infection, you should not receive PRP injections.

Who can provide PRP injections?

Only a trained medical professional can provide PRP injections. Our professionals at Prizant Dermatology would be happy to meet with you for a personal consultation!

How many treatments will I need?

A personal consultation will provide more information, but typically patients require a series of 3 to 4 sessions spaced approximately 4 to 6 weeks apart. Each session will take 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the patient’s specific needs.

What is recovery like and how long will it take for me to heal?

The medicine used to numb the skin for injections wears off in about an hour or two. It is not uncommon to experience mild pain and swelling where you had the injections. The healing process takes about 4 to 6 weeks, which is about the time you would be due for your next treatment.

How can I best prepare for my treatment?

It sounds cliché, but good health will improve the likelihood of a successful PRP treatment and wound healing. As your own blood will be taken for the treatment, it is important to exercise, have a good diet, and abstain from smoking, alcohol, and drugs. When you exercise, your immune system is naturally boosted and decreases the risk for heart or lung issues, which can affect your blood composition.

Diet-wise, eating a diet high in green, leafy vegetables and low in sugary and processed foods also helps to build immunity, improve circulation, and regulate hormones. Abstaining from smoking, alcohol, and drug use for at least two weeks prior to PRP is recommended, as smoking can affect wound healing and increase the risk for complications.

Get Started With PRP Hair Treatments in Pittsburgh

PRP is a safe and effective way to regrow your hair naturally. Hair loss is inevitable for many people, but it doesn’t have to be acceptable for everyone. By using the body’s own healing powers, PRP can stimulate hair growth and increase hair density. It is promising as a treatment on its own or in combination with others.

If you suffer from common hair loss conditions such as AGA, or the not-so-common conditions, PRP can be a valuable tool in your hair restoration journey. Get in touch with Prizant Dermatology to find out if PRP for hair loss is right for you.