Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) hair loss therapy is a non-surgical treatment that involves injecting a patient’s scalp with a concentrated solution derived from their own blood. There is growing evidence that this process can stimulate hair growth in many people, thus avoiding the need for a hair transplant in some cases and enhancing a hair transplant in others.
PRP has become an increasingly popular hair loss treatment during recent years and often appeals to people who would like to avoid pharmaceutical products or who would like to add to other hair loss treatments that they may be using.
1) How does PRP hair loss treatment work?
Plasma is the fluid component of the blood that contains red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Platelets aid clotting, scab formation and encourage your body to heal and repair itself. They are also known to release growth factors after injury to stimulate growth of specific tissues.
PRP treatment utilises this ability to heal and repair, meaning it is often referred to as a form of ‘biotherapy’. The PRP technique has been widely used to treat joint conditions and rejuvenate facial skin, but more recently the process has been adapted to treat male and female hair loss.
At the start of the treatment, a small amount of your blood will be drawn using a small butterfly needle. The sample is then put into an automated centrifuge system to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. For the treatment of hair loss, the isolated plasma solution should contain around four to five times the concentration of the normal platelet level.
Then the PRP solution will be administrated to the areas of the scalp affected by hair loss using a Dermapen Microneedling device followed by micro injections.
2) Is PRP hair loss treatment right for me?
If you feel that your hair is lacking radiance and density and the signs of ageing are beginning to take its toll, you may find that your hair loss will dramatically reduce with this simple, convenient treatment.
If you are suffering with androgenetic alopecia (commonly known as male patterned balding or female patterned hair loss), alopecia areata or have recently had a hair transplant, PRP therapy could help you.
Before the treatment you will be assessed to see if PRP is the right treatment for you.
3) How effective is PRP treatment?
It is important to be aware that PRP treatment for hair loss is relatively new and research surrounding this technique is still ongoing. However, initial studies have been positive, with many of the world’s leading experts on hair transplants reporting excellent results.
It is important to note that success rates can vary amongst patients and it is still not clear why PRP hair loss treatment works better for some people and not so well others. We do know that PRP treatment is more likely to encourage hair growth in areas of the scalp where there is still a lot of miniaturised hair. It is unlikely to produce positive results when carried out on patches of the scalp that are already completely bald.
At the time of your consultation you will be advised on whether you are likely to be a suitable candidate for PRP treatment.
4) Is PRP hair loss treatment a permanent solution?
As we have noted above, PRP treatment requires maintenance sessions every six to twelve months to continue producing positive results. Although PRP treatment has been shown to encourage hair growth and thicken hair in areas that have been treated, it will not prevent new bald areas from forming in untreated areas of the scalp. Response to PRP will differ between patients and it is not known how long the benefits will persist.
5) How many PRP treatments are needed for hair growth?
Multiple PRP treatments are required to achieve optimum results. It is normally recommended that six PRP procedures are carried out as part of the initial treatment. These usually take place at 3 sessions with 3 weeks intervals. After this initial round of treatment is completed, patients will require a single follow-up session every 3 to 6 months to maintain the positive effects of the treatment.
6) Are there any side effects of PRP hair loss treatment
As PRP treatment uses your own blood, there are minimal concerns for safety and no significant side effects have so far been reported. Some patients do experience discomfort in the immediate aftermath of the procedure, although most people do not report suffering any pain. It is possible that the procedure may cause some swelling and tenderness of the scalp and forehead, but this should subside within three to five days.
7) How much does PRP treatment cost?
PRP hair loss treatment starts from £250 depending on the area to be treated.