Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Hair Loss
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as pattern hair loss, is the most common cause of hair loss affecting more than 80 million men and women in the United States according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Treating hair loss is a challenge as there is a lack of effective non-surgical therapies for pattern hair loss. Topical Rogaine (minoxidil) is only of limited help, while taking oral Propecia (finasteride) helps to regrow hair in men, it can have side effects. Fortunately, treatment with platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an innovative, effective technique changing the way we treat pattern hair loss.
How does PRP for hair loss work?
The first “P” in PRP is the primary reason this treatment works to stimulate hair growth. Platelets are the components in blood that function to stop bleeding and build new tissue. In addition to white and red blood cells, blood plasma contains platelets which have high levels of growth factors, messengers that tell our cells to function optimally. It appears that PRP helps to encourage regrowth of hair by stimulating resting hairs to grow and thicken.
What can I expect with PRP hair loss treatments?
To obtain the PRP, a sample of blood is spun down using a special centrifuge. This motion concentrates the platelets in the blood plasma. This platelet rich plasma which is 100% your own blood product is then injected into the areas of hair thinning. Each session includes 10-20 injection sites with a tiny needle depending on the size of the area being treated.
The initial treatment protocol is comprised of 6 treatments over 12 months. Patients have a session every month for the first 4 months, then a total of 2 additional treatments spaced 3 months apart. The initial treatments stimulate the hairs to grow, and the next sessions maintain what has grown and can stimulate new growth. Following the initial 6 treatment protocol (over a 12-month span), maintenance injections are usually required at 6 to 12-month intervals.
Pre-treatment recommendations
We recommend avoiding NSAIDS such as ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin for 2 weeks before the treatments along with any herbal remedies such as garlic, ginkgo, turmeric, St. John’s wort, fish oil, high doses of vitamin E or any other supplements that can thin the blood. We recommend patients who take blood thinners or have a history of excessive drug or alcohol use not have PRP treatments. It is also advisable to wait and have PRP treatments 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after hair dye/coloring treatments. We encourage you to drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of your procedure to assist in the drawing of blood. Remember to eat a normal breakfast or lunch the day of your PRP treatment as well as drink a bottle of water at least 2 hours before your procedure.
Results
PRP has been proven in the medical literature to be a safe and effective way to stimulate hair growth. The amount of hair regrowth depends on each individual and can vary. Most patients will see an increased number of hairs and an increase in hair thickness beginning after the second or third treatment. Many studies have shown an increase in the number of anagen growing hairs, telogen resting hairs, hair density, and terminal hair density after 3 treatments and after 6 treatment when compared with baseline.
Laborde Dermatology