PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a treatment that is gaining popularity in many areas of medicine – from joint pain to hair loss. PRP consists of plasma, which is the liquid portion of blood, and platelets, which are clear blood cells known for their clotting ability and their role in healing in the body.
PRP is created individually, using a patient’s own blood sample. It’s believed that injecting a large dose of a patient’s own healing platelets into a specific area of their body can stimulate the healing process, encouraging hair growth.
Platelet-rich plasma injections are low-risk, causing minimal or no side effects. Let’s talk about some of the key benefits of PRP for treating hair loss, and where you can go to have this revolutionary treatment administered to help you regrow your hair.
Safe Treatment for Hair Loss with Minimal Side Effects
PRP injections are safe when performed by a trained medical provider. Some people should not receive PRP treatment, such as those with bleeding disorders, anemia, an active infection, or women who are pregnant.
The treatment itself may cause mild and temporary side effects, such as redness at the injection site, soreness, and temporary hair shedding (which is caused by the sudden hair-growth phase). Because PRP treatment involves using your own blood, there is no risk of contracting a communicable disease or of your body rejecting the treatment.
Compared to other options for treating hair loss, such as medication or having a hair transplant, PRP therapy poses the least risk of side effects. Medications for hair loss, such as minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia), can cause dryness and itchiness on the scalp or even sexual dysfunction. Hair transplants do not always work very well, especially in women.
It Helps Your Hair to Grow Back
PRP therapy is showing promising results for people who are experiencing hair loss. One study provides evidence that PRP may have a beneficial role in hair regrowth: The study randomly selected 23 patients with male-pattern hair loss to receive PRP treatment and others to receive a placebo. Each patient received three treatment cycles and were followed for two years. Researchers looked for residual hair count and hair density after each treatment.
The results of the study showed a significant increase in the average hair count in the treatment area after three months of the first treatment. The treatment group saw an average increase of 33.6 hairs in the target area, while the control (placebo) group showed a decrease of 3.2 hairs. In addition, hair density improved significantly in the treatment area compared to baseline.
Authors of the study note that the growth factors released from platelets may act on the cells of the hair follicles, stimulating the development of new follicles. However, more extensive controlled studies continue to help researchers learn how PRP works in hair growth, why it works in some people and not in others, and how best to apply the PRP formula during treatment (frequency, technique, etc.).
Where Can I Get PRP Treatment for My Hair?
Here at NIVA Health, we offer PRP treatment to help reverse your hair loss. Our highly experienced medical team is trained to perform PRP treatment in a safe and painless way. PRP treatment is offered at all of our NIVA Health locations.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our providers, call us today at a NIVA Health location nearest you. You can also schedule an appointment online using our convenient appointment request form. We look forward to helping you look and feel your best.
