Can PRP treat hair loss?

By Dr. Deane on February 20, 2020 under Hair Transplant, PRP Treatment

Can PRP treat hair loss?

PRP, which stands for platelet-rich plasma, is a special treatment used to boost the body’s healing process. Despite the recency of this approach, some studies have suggested it as a viable treatment for promoting the growth of hair.

What’s involved in PRP treatments?

Platelets are one of the main components in the blood responsible for the healing process. PRP treatments take advantage of this healing nature in the hopes of repairing damaged hair follicles. To get PRP, blood is placed into a centrifuge where parts of the blood are separated. Platelets are singled out and injected into the designated areas.

PRP is rich in proteins and other components that help to speed up the repair of tissue. Since many instances of hair loss are a result of hair follicle damage, researchers thought that PRP might be able to promote growth.

PRP has since become a well-known method when it comes to ‘fixing’ hair loss. However, the appeal of PRP extends far beyond patients with hair loss. Doctors use this process for treating ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other injuries.

Does it work?

The Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal published an overview of PRP treatment research that was conducted by a group of researchers in 2019. The meta-analysis looked at 11 different research pieces with a collective participant group of 262 people who all had androgenetic alopecia. The authors claimed that a majority of the studies were able to determine that PRP treatments resulted in a reduction of hair loss and an increase in the diameter of individual hairs.

However, the researchers acknowledged that the studies used small sample groups and that the investigation was still limited by some factors. Many studies into the effectiveness of PRP seem to face a similar conclusion. At times, PRP seems effective when it comes to restoring heat growth. However, a lack of sufficient research and a lack of consistency across procedures brings its efficacy into question.

What is the procedure like?

Here’s a rough outline of what a PRP treatment might look like:

  • The patient has a blood sample taken from his or her arm.
  • The sample is placed into a centrifuge by the medical professional.
  • The centrifuge separates the blood’s components through spinning.
  • The medical professional uses a syringe to extract the platelets.
  • The doctor targets certain areas of the patient’s scalp with these platelets.

How long do the effects last?

It’s important to keep in mind that this treatment isn’t a cure. For the results to remain, patients would have to continuously receive PRP treatments. The consistency with which a person should receive these treatments will depend on their unique condition, the effectiveness of the treatment, and his or her doctor’s advice. Some people have to receive injections of PRP every 3 to 5 months after the loss of hair is in control.

What are the side effects?

  • swelling
  • headache
  • tenderness on the scalp
  • itching
  • temporary bleeding near the injection site
  • mild pain near the injection site

Request a Consultation

To learn more about PRP hair restoration and other hair loss treatments, contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Deane. To make an appointment call (516) 441-7427 or fill out an online form