Help with hair loss: Platelet rich plasma treatments
The world of medicine is simply revolutionary. It is continuously discovering new and fantastic ways of advancing, whether it is finding easier ways to yield better results from older procedures, or creating new innovations all together. One example of medical science and its advancement is platelet rich plasma treatments.
Brushing away hair loss
Hair loss affects a large number of people globally, of all ages. Platelet rich plasma is a treatment suitable for those with weakened hair and for those with hair loss or thinning hair. As with all treatments, the earlier it’s caught, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the easier it is to fix.
Understanding the science behind platelet rich plasma
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a completely natural, safe treatment using nothing but the individual’s own cells. The treatment stimulates follicle, skin and scalp rejuvenation by harnessing the power of the mesenchymal stem cells which contain an abundance of essential and specific growth factors. These growth factors stimulate the production of collagen which is produced by hair follicles and fibroblasts. More hair follicles and fibroblasts appear thanks to the PRP. This means the effects of the treatment are far reaching and extremely beneficial. PRP also complements hair loss treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride, allowing the products to take better effect.
The ‘platelets’ part of the PRP can, in theory, stimulate the microenvironment of the follicles and fibroblasts, leading to the growth of new hair and skin cells. PRP also addresses the dead, or inactive hair follicles, bringing about faster, more effective cellular regeneration processes.
The procedure
The platelets used during the treatment are your own platelets, taken from your blood. The procedure is not surgical, it requires no downtime, and recovery is simple and straightforward. It is performed at the practice in about an hour, leaving you free to continue with your day when it’s over.
A local anaesthetic is applied, after which a blood sample is extracted and spun in a centrifuge. During this process the PRP is extracted from the blood. The skin is then treated with microneedling to stimulate the production of collagen before the PRP is gently applied to the scalp via injection.
Recovery time
As mentioned, recovery time is minimal as are the side effects. Other than facing a few injections and blood being drawn, the discomfort levels during and after the procedure are minimal. A hot shower is a great idea following the treatment as this also encourages blood flow, definitely a good thing if you’re looking for the best results.
Hope is powerful thing
The term ‘quick-fix’ refers to how long the ‘fix’ lasts, which is why we don’t do quick-fixes. Platelet rich plasma treatments are ongoing but they offer the most promising results. It’s important to remember not all hair loss will respond to PRP and vice versa. PRP is not indicated in some conditions causing hair loss, in fact, if used incorrectly can worsen the problem. It is therefore always wise to get a proper assessment of the cause of your hair loss from a dermatologist prior to initiating PRP.
Contact our practice and book a consultation so that we can assess the best way forward based on your individual needs.