How Effective is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy for Hair Loss?

How Effective is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy for Hair Loss?

About Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

PRP therapy is a tri-stage treatment for hair loss, in which the patient’s blood is drawn and enriched with plasma reinforced with platelets. The potent solution is then injected into barren hair follicles in the scalp. The PRP injections can rejuvenate the hair follicles to regrow hair by the increased blood supply. The new hair strands are also thicker and stronger. PRP therapy may be combined with other hair loss treatments and/or medications. Most PRP therapies require three procedures 4-6 weeks apart. Further maintenance treatments may also be required.

PRP Therapy Procedure:

In the first step, the patient’s blood is collected and put in a centrifuge. A centrifuge is a machine that spins rapidly and separates liquids of different densities from one sample of fluid. After about 10 minutes of spinning, the blood will have separated into three types:

• Platelet-Poor Plasma
• Platelet-Rich Plasma
• Red Blood Cells

In the third stage, the platelet-rich plasma is collected into a syringe and injected into the hair follicles that need to grow hair.

Before and After Treatment Instructions

Pre Procedure

The patient may be advised to stop taking certain medications like vitamins, blood thinners, and other drugs for at least one week before the procedure. Smoking and drinking are to be avoided and hair products should not be used for three days before therapy. Hair should be washed on the eve or morning of the PRP procedure. The doctor may also recommend increased water intake a day before the treatment.

Post Procedure

Again, certain medicines need to be avoided for 3 to 7 days after the procedure. This is especially true for anti-inflammatory medicines as inflammation is required for the platelets to revive the follicles and stimulate hair growth. Smoking, drinking and recreational drugs can interfere with the healing process and as such should be avoided. Patients are also advised not to expose their heads to direct sunlight for some time after treatment. Wear a hat or cap when venturing out. You can shampoo your hair one or two days after the procedure and colour your hair after 3 days.

Side Effects of PRP Treatment

Patients may experience tenderness and soreness in the scalp. There might some pain or bleeding in some of the follicles that were injected with platelet-rich plasma. Some patients may have a headache or experience a sensation of ‘tightness’ of the scalp for a day after the injections.