Published on September 23, 2023
Suffering from hair loss is challenging. It can impact your confidence and self-esteem along the way. It can change the way you see and feel about yourself. It can also change how you view relationships and interact with others. Thankfully, PRP is an aid that increasingly proves to be an excellent hair loss treatment.
If you, or your loved one, struggles with hair loss, this article is for you. We will discuss everything there is to know about PRP for hair loss. Why you should get one, what you can expect, aftercare, and more. Let’s waste no more time and begin.
What is Hair Loss?
Most healthy people lose up to a hundred strands of hair daily. It is a part of everyone’s hair growth cycle. New strands emerge and take the place of the ones you shed. It is considered alopecia when you begin to shed more strands and notice fewer or none grow back.
There are several types of hair loss. It can disturb adults of any gender and even children. Some types of alopecia are permanent. While others are temporary. The most common are:
- Androgenic alopecia. This class of hereditary baldness can affect anyone.
- Alopecia areata. It is an autoimmune disease that gives in hair loss. It involves the head and body.
- Telogen effluvium. It is the instantaneous shedding of hair in a short amount of time. It usually happens a few months after your body undergoes excellent physical or emotional stress. It can also manifest from sudden hormonal changes.
- Anagen effluvium. It is a fast hair loss influenced by specific medical treatments. It is expected from chemotherapy.
What Causes Hair Loss?
Hair loss has many possible causes. The most familiar are:
- Hereditary hair loss from genetics
- Fungal infections on the scalp
- Hairstyles that tug the hair tightly (braids, hair extensions, or close-knit ponytails)
- Hair Care that may cause damage, such as perms and bleach
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, childbirth, menopause)
- Nutritional deficiencies. (especially iron or protein deficiency)
- Stressful events
- Thyroid disease
What Is PRP for Hair Loss?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is a nonsurgical hair-loss intervention. It involves injecting platelets extracted from your blood into your scalp. It is supposed to restore thinning hair. PRP stimulates new hair growth and enhances the health and texture of existing hair.
Research reports that PRP can effectively treat stress or age-related hair loss. It can also help with alopecia areata. The latter is a disease that causes hair thinning in young, otherwise healthy individuals.
PRP hair restoration is safer and less invasive than hair transplant surgery. The doctors who perform it affirm it can boost the follicles and slow the rate of hair loss. More importantly, it can help regrow hair.
Does PRP Work for Hair Loss? PRP Hair Loss Before and After
To answer the question, does PRP work for hair loss? Yes, it does. The platelets in our blood have growth factors. Cell-signaling proteins facilitate the body’s tissue rejuvenation and healing system. Plasma is fluid in the blood that hauls the platelets. It also takes red and white blood cells.
The doctor separates platelets from your blood during a PRP hair restoration procedure. They will process them to concentrate on the growth factors. When injected into the scalp, PRP then works wonders. It will start to boost blood flow to the hair follicles. It will begin to stimulate new hair growth. Afterward, it will lengthen existing hair’s anagen. It is the active growth phase, to slow hair loss.
Benefits of PRP for Hair Loss
1. Stimulates Hair Growth
PRP procedure boosts inactive hair follicles. In doing so, it encourages hair growth to take place. All in all, promoting hair growth and improving hair thickness and quality.
2. Deep Healing Efficiency
PRP therapy addresses the root cause of hair loss. It deeply treats, which leads to long-term improvements in hair growth.
3. Natural Hair Growth
PRP injections also facilitate natural hair growth. It furthermore maintains it by increasing blood supply to the hair follicles.
4. Non-Invasive Treatment
PRP for hair loss is a non-invasive procedure. It is suitable for individuals seeking hair restoration without undergoing the knife.
5. Effective for Various Types of Hair Loss
PRP therapy has proven effective in treating androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. It is among other types of hair loss.
6. Minimal Side Effects
PRP for hair loss is generally safe. It only contains minimal side effects. These risks are temporary redness, swelling, and discomfort along injection sites.
7. Visible Results
Many people who undergo PRP treatment witness visible improvements in hair growth. It is all because of the growth factors abundant in platelet-rich plasma.
What You Can Expect From a PRP for Hair Loss Procedure
Here’s what happens during a PRP for hair loss treatment:
- Before crafting a treatment plan, your doctor will do the following. They will ask what precipitated your hair loss. They will ask to do a scalp assessment. Your doctor may also order blood work. It is to rule out vitamin deficiencies and thyroid issues.
- Your provider will set expectations for the PRP hair loss procedure. The two of you will review all risks and side effects. They’ll also discuss any post-procedure restrictions.
- Your doctor will do a blood draw. It is usually from a vein on the inside of your elbow.
- You’ll wait for 10 minutes while it’s run via a centrifuge. It is done to separate red blood cells from the plasma and concentrate the platelets.
- Your doctor will proceed to numb the treatment area. Anesthesia is optional, but it will significantly help.
- After rubbing an alcohol swab over your scalp, they’ll conduct a series of quick PRP hair injections. It is in all areas of hair loss.
- PRP hair loss injections only take a few minutes. However, the entire process can run up to an hour. You should be feeling okay to resume your daily lifestyle right away.
Aftercare for PRP for Hair Loss
After going to PRP for a hair loss procedure, it’s vital to follow proper aftercare instructions. The aftercare regime will optimize your hair regrowth and ensure you get all the benefits from your injections.
1. Evade from doing vigorous exercise, sun exposure, and heat.
Following a PRP hair loss treatment, do not exercise for at least two days. It’s also important to keep sun exposure and heat exposure at bay. These practices will ease proper healing. They will also lessen your risk of complications.
2. Use ph-Balanced shampoo
A ph-balanced hair cleanser will maintain the optimal harmony and health of the scalp and hair.
3. Avoid washing your hair immediately.
Do not wash your hair for 48 hours following a PRP hair growth treatment. Allowing the platelet-rich plasma to settle on your scalp properly is critical. It is crucial for smooth hair growth.
4. Stay hydrated
Drink enough water. It is a straightforward yet overlooked step in promoting overall healing. Water is also necessary for maintaining healthy hair.
5. Follow prescribed aftercare supplements or medications.
This aftercare is case to case basis. It may be necessary to take prescribed aftercare medications to facilitate your healing process. It will depend on your healthcare provider.
6. Avoid certain nutritional supplements.
Ginkgo Biloba, Garlic, Vitamins A and E, flax oil, and cumin can interfere with the healing process of your PRP treatment. Avoid the following for a few days to a week after your hair growth treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP for Hair Loss
1. How much does PRP for hair loss cost?
The range for securing a PRP hair loss treatment is $400 to $5,000. The cost of it will depend on many factors. It will depend on the PRP equipment type and quality. As well as how many treatment sessions you need. Your provider’s location and level of experience will also influence its price.
2. Does PRP for hair loss hurt?
PRP scalp injections do not hurt. It shouldn’t. You can always discuss your worries about pain with your provider. They will be more than willing to numb your scalp. They will do so with an anesthetic or a chilling device. Moreover, the injections are done quickly. It doesn’t have time to hurt or cause discomfort.
3. What are the risks and side effects of PRP for hair loss?
PRP for hair loss is a low-risk treatment. The most common side effects are mild pain, temporary redness. Minimal pinpoint bleeding at the injection site too. A headache may occur afterward, but it will eventually go away. Minor swelling happen for some for a few days. These all are nothing to worry about.
4. How soon will I see the results of my PRP treatment?
Immediately, you can see enhancement in hair texture. You will also notice the thickness of the hair shaft. Following is the growth of new hairs. These will all occur within two weeks after treatment. For reliable and measurable results, you will have to wait for three to six months.
5. Is PRP for hair loss covered by insurance?
PRP therapy for hair loss is usually not covered by insurance. PRP has not received FDA approval specifically for hair loss treatment. As a result, most insurance companies consider it an elective procedure. They do not provide coverage for it. However, insurance organizations widely vary. It’s advisable to check with your specific insurance company. It will enlighten you on understanding their coverage policies concerning PRP procedure.
Gone are the days when you will just bear the challenges of suffering hair loss. If you want to treat it, you can count on PRP treatment’s efficacy. PRP is undoubtedly an excellent procedure that will treat hair shedding. It will rejuvenate your thinning hair. It will facilitate stimulation of new hair growth. At last, enhance the health and texture of existing hair.
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About The Author
I am Tracy Gorman, a seasoned writer specializing in lifestyle, beauty, and health topics. However, I possess the versatility to cover various niches.