Is PRP for Hair Loss Effective?

Hair loss significantly changes a person’s appearance and affects their overall self-confidence, which is why most people look for promising solutions as soon as they notice their hair thinning. PRP procedure is a known skin and acne treatment that speeds up wound healing, but it can also be utilized for other things like treating hair loss.

So is PRP therapy for hair restoration really effective? PRP hair loss treatment can help patients achieve great hair regrowth results as long as it’s done consistently. It increases hair density within the first few months, but it requires maintenance treatments to prolong the results. PRP hair restoration treatment also works better when paired with other hair regrowth options.

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Does PRP Injection for Hair Loss Work?

Millions of American adults suffer from hair loss at some point in their lives because of different reasons. While it’s only a cosmetic concern in most cases, hair thinning can still affect the confidence of patients – leading to embarrassment, anxiety, and depression for some people.

Hair transplantation used to be the go-to solution for treating hair loss, but platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy offers a safe alternative to stimulate hair regrowth and enhance hair thickness. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that involves using the growth factor in the patient’s own blood to induce hair growth.

During the process, the doctor draws a blood sample from the patient and puts it in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma layer from red blood cells and other blood cell components. The PRP is then injected into the specific parts of the scalp to promote hair growth and re-energize the dormant hair follicle.

PRP therapy is a promising treatment for hair loss especially if paired with other hair regrowth procedures. Here are some pieces of evidence that prove its effectiveness:

PRP Therapy for Hair Loss Success Rate

PRP treatments for hair loss require consistency if the patient wants to achieve amazing results. It’s possible to see initial results within the first 2 to 3 months of the treatment, but there isn’t an exact consensus for the success rate of PRP for hair loss. For the average person, the success rate ranges from 70% to 90%. The treatment also works for younger patients who are still in the early stages of hair thinning.

PRP Reviews for Hair Loss

Anecdotal reviews for PRP hair loss treatment from real patients are mostly positive. Patients notice a decrease in hair shedding a couple of weeks after their initial treatment. They also observed a noticeable increase in the hair thickness of the hair strands, making the treated areas denser than before.

PRP for Hair Loss Studies

The science behind PRP treatment for hair restoration isn’t perfectly conclusive, but lots of studies suggest that it can help regrow and preserve the hair of patients suffering from hair loss. Here are some of the most significant studies about PRP for hair loss conducted in recent years:

• In a 2014 study, 11 patients with androgenic alopecia experienced an increase in the average number of their hair follicles (from 71 units to 93 units). They received about 2 to 3 cc of PRP injections into the scalp every 2 weeks for 3 months.
• In a 2015 study, 10 patients received PRP injections every 2 to 3 weeks for 3 months. They showed hair restoration improvements through an increased number of hairs, the thickness of hair shafts, and the strength of hair roots.
• In a 2019 study, the effectiveness of PRP injections was compared to minoxidil, a topical hair growth stimulant usually used by men with pattern hair loss. After 6 months of treatment, PRP injections showed better hair regrowth results than minoxidil. However, the study also found out that the level of platelets in the blood affects how well PRP works for hair loss.
• In a 2019 systematic review featured in Dermatologic Surgery, 19 studies about PRP therapy for hair loss were examined. Most of the studies reported that PRP treatments resulted in hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia.

What Hair Loss Conditions Can PRP Treat?

Hair loss can be caused by lots of different factors, including age, hormonal changes, underlying medical conditions, or others. PRP therapy can be a promising treatment for hair loss patients who are diagnosed with androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata.

How Effective is PRP Hair Treatment for Androgenic Alopecia?

Androgenic alopecia (also known as female or male pattern baldness) is a hair loss condition that affects up to half of the population. It’s the progressive loss of hair in the scalp sometime after the patient’s puberty. Some patients take minoxidil or finasteride to fight hair loss, but PRP treatment is also an effective option.

The activated platelets from the PRP release growth factors and cytokines to promote new hair growth in the scalp of androgenic alopecia patients. In a 2014 study, patients who had PRP injections noticed a significant reduction in hair loss between their first and fourth treatments. The results were measured through clinical examination, hair pull test, macroscopic photos, and patient satisfaction.

How Effective is PRP Hair Treatment for Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is another common hair loss condition that affects American adults. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system causes hair loss by attacking the hair follicles. Steroid injections are the most common treatment for alopecia areata, but patients may also try PRP therapy for hair regrowth.

Like androgenic alopecia, PRP injections for alopecia areata also work by releasing growth factors and cytokines to enhance the body’s capacity to regenerate and repair dormant hair follicles. In a 2015 study, only 1 out of the 20 patients who had PRP injections experienced a relapse. The rest of the patients tolerated the procedure well and didn’t experience any side effects.

Does PRP Treatment Work for Thinning Hair?

Although most patients with hair loss condition can experience significant benefits from PRP hair restoration, younger patients who are in the early stages of hair thinning respond to the treatment best. Patients who already have severe hair loss may not restore their hair to its former glory, but the results are still a lot better than no treatment at all.

PRP Therapy as Complementary Hair Loss Treatment: Does It Work?

Since PRP treatments are safe and minimally invasive, they work as a great complementary procedure to other hair loss treatments. The growth factors from the platelet-rich plasma can enhance the effects of other procedures without negatively affecting their results. Here are other hair loss treatment options that can work great with PRP therapy:

• Laser treatment for hair regrowth
• Minoxidil (Rogaine)
• Finasteride (Propecia)
• Oral medications like Carospir and Aldactone
• Hair transplant surgery

Benefits of PRP Hair Growth for Men and Women

PRP therapy is a revolutionary treatment for hair loss that offers lots of benefits. Here are some of the best reasons why you should also consider this minimally invasive hair regrowth procedure:

• It’s non-surgical and non-scarring – This treatment doesn’t require plastic surgery, so it’s typically performed inside a doctor’s office. As a result, patients can recover quickly after the treatment without worrying about cuts or scars on their scalps.
• It’s safer than other treatments – PRP therapy uses the patient’s own blood sample, so it eliminates the risk of allergic reaction and contamination. It’s one of the safest treatments for hair loss since it doesn’t have as many side effects as others.
• It’s convenient and highly effective – This procedure only takes less than an hour per session. There’s also no downtime required, making it convenient for busy patients to receive treatment. It’s also one of the most effective hair regrowth procedures recommended by dermatologists and hair loss experts.
• It produces natural-looking results – One of the biggest problems with hair transplants is that the transplanted hair looks out of place for some patients. PRP therapy prevents this by simply stimulating the inactive hair follicles to promote hair regrowth.
• It can be personalized – PRP treatments are usually customizable depending on the severity of the patient’s hair loss. After consulting with a hair loss specialist, they can create a treatment plan that’s completely unique to the patient.

Potential Risks and Complications of PRP Therapy

While PRP therapy is generally safe for most patients, there are still some potential risks and complications that they should know about before trying the treatment. Here are some of them:

• Mild pain at the treated site
• Scalp tenderness and swelling
• Itchiness
• Mild headache
• Temporary bleeding in the injection area

Most of these symptoms go away on their own after a few days, but patients are still advised to see a doctor if they worsen or persist after a few weeks.

How Long Does PRP Therapy for Hair Loss Last?

Since hair loss can bring embarrassment and anxiety for most patients, it’s important for them to find a permanent or long-lasting solution to their thinning hair. The good news is that patients can experience new hair growth for about 18 to 24 months after completing their PRP injections.

What Results to Expect

It takes a while for the first round of PRP injections to show results, so patients have to wait for a few weeks to notice denser, thicker, and healthier hair shafts in their scalps. The results typically get better as weeks pass by until the final results show after 2 to 3 months. Remember that consistency is the key to successful PRP treatments, so make sure to always receive PRP injections as scheduled.

How Many Treatments Needed

Most patients undergo about 3 to 6 PRP treatments in the initial round of the hair restoration procedure. Each treatment session should be spaced about 3 to 4 weeks apart to let the injection sites heal and allow the mild side effects to subside. Maintenance treatment sessions are also recommended every 3 to 6 months to maintain the hair regrowth results.

Are You a Good Candidate for PRP Hair Restoration?

PRP therapy is an excellent treatment option for patients with existing hair loss problems, but it might not always be the best choice for everyone. It’s essential to consult a doctor first to ask if you’re a qualified patient for PRP or to find out the cause of hair loss treatment and treat it accordingly.

PRP hair restoration treatment works best for patients who:

• Are in the early stages of hair loss
• Have “weak hair quality” but also have areas in the scalp where there are functioning hair follicles
• Have small patches on their scalp affected by alopecia areata
• Are in good health
• Aren’t suffering from blood disorders, liver disorders, skin issues, diabetes, and other health conditions

Regrow Your Hair Effectively at Dr. V Medical Aesthetics

PRP hair regrowth treatments are becoming more popular because they’re a safe and effective alternative to hair transplant surgery. If you also experience hair loss and are looking for a minimally invasive way to restore the thickness of the hair on the scalp, then PRP might be a good solution for you.

At Dr. V Medical Aesthetics, we have cosmetic dermatology and hair loss experts who are experienced in administering PRP therapy for hair loss patients. We are committed to delivering the safest and most effective treatments for you. Call us today to book an appointment.