One on One with Dr. Missy Clifton: PRP Therapy for Hair Loss
Can PRP help with hair loss?
Hair loss can be an embarrassing issue. Male and female pattern hair loss is a genetic problem that can leave you feeling helpless. Options, like prescription drugs, are often partially effective and carry the potential for unwanted side effects. Surgical hair restoration can be expensive and does not treat the underlying medical problems.
Your referring physician may give you a prescription for pain medication to be taken if you are in significant pain afterwards. Now there is an affordable way for you to improve your hair density without surgery or harmful side effects. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for hair restoration involves a simple injection of your own platelets into the vascular layer of your scalp.
Any Side Effects?
Because PRP is derived from your own blood, there is NO chance of having an allergy or immune reaction. Indeed in the literature, side effects or complications of PRP injection are extremely rare. The main risks include local infection (< 1% chance) and pain at the site of injection. Injection of non-buffered PRP (which is acidic) tends to be very painful, thus we add a small amount of sodium bicarbonate to the solution to neutralize the pH, which seems to alleviate much of the pain associated with injection. In addition, we will anesthetize the area before PRP injection with long-acting local anesthetic. – Stanford School of Medicine
PRP for Hair Regrowth
- Increases blood supply to the follicle
- Increases shaft size (thickness)
- Triggers and maintains the growth phase
- Controls hair growth cycle
- Decreases hair loss
PRP for Hair Loss
This quick injection involves the collection and concentration of your body’s own platelets using a very easy three-step process.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I know if I am a good candidate for PRP? Talk to your physician for a proper diagnosis and to create a treatment plan. How many treatments are required? Treatment will vary based on your need. Initially, your provider may recommend several treatments spaced 1 month apart. After the initial treatment, many physician suggest by maintenance treatments 2-4 times per year.
Is the PR for hair restoration process time consuming? No, collecting the PRP usually only takes 10-15
Does the procedure hurt? There may be some sensitivity. However, most physicians utilize effective anesthetic solutions, such as cold ambient air or a topical analgesic to minimize any potential discomfort. Talk to your physicians about the right option for you.
Is there any recovery time? There is no downtime or a long recovery process. You may take a warm shower the evening of the treatment. In addition, it is advised to avoid using any harsh dyes or chemicals on your hair for 48 hours.
Is this a cure for baldness? PRP is not a cure for baldness (Androgenic Alopecia). The genetic medical problem will always remain. However, there is evidence that regular treatments can significantly slow down the effects of Androgenic Alopecia and works to increase hair density. Ask your provider for more details and if PRP is right for you.
Platelets contain healing growth factors. Those growth factors are like signal callers that give instructions to your tissue to regenerate and multiply. This has lead different fields of medicine to utilize PRP for wound healing to speed up recovery time and regrow healthier, stronger tissue. Now doctors have discovered new benefits for hair thickening and regrowth. With PRP for Hair, your growth factors and stem cells work together to reverse the miniaturization of the hair follicle and jumpstarting dormant hair back into the growth stage.
MD Hair Labs state of the art facility is equipped with multiple surgery rooms and multiple Artas robotic hair restoration systems. The hair restoration procedure and technology has advanced immensely overtime. The term “hair plugs” was commonly used in the past with the original hair replacement method; however, the technology has advanced and now the procedure involves taking individual follicular units from the back and sides of your head, in such a way that it is unnoticeable. Our expert hair technicians then place each follicular unit back into the area of the scalp to create density. Our physicians oversee the process of recreating the patient’s natural and age appropriate hairline.
Contact MD Hair Labs if you’re looking for a more permanent solution to help with your hair loss.
Call MD Hair Labs to schedule your no-cost, no-risk consultation with our expert physicians and hair technicians about hair health!
