Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Hair Restoration

PRP for Hair Restoration

Description
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments may be may be used to promote hair growth in areas which previously demonstrated a more dense growth pattern, but which have become more sparse or 'thin' with aging. PRP is injected into the skin in areas which demonstrate diminished density of hair, specifically targeting hair follicles in those locations.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment uses your own blood plasma that has been processed to concentrate those components beneficial to hair restoration. As a concentrated source of your own platelets, PRP contains numerous growth factors and cytokines (cellular messengers or signaling molecules) that can help stimulate the activity of the hair follicles and promote new hair growth.

Results
For best results, consistency is important. Treatments are typically performed once a month for the first three to four months, and then every three to six months thereafter, depending on the individual patient's response and results. Following this protocol, anticipated results can first be seen within a few months.

The Aging Process
Male pattern baldness (also known as 'androgenic alopecia') is by far the most common cause of hair loss in men, affecting 50% of men by age 50. Male pattern baldness typically affects the frontal hairline, temporal recessions and crown. Pattern hair loss affects 1 in 5 women. In women, hair loss is usually related to hormones and typically demonstrates a more diffuse pattern.

Hair loss is primarily caused by a combination of aging, a change in hormones, and a family history of baldness. Baldness is often blamed on poor circulation to the scalp, vitamin deficiencies, dandruff, and even excessive hat-wearing. All of these theories have been disproved.

Candidates for PRP treatments for Hair Restoration
You may be a candidate for PRP treatments for hair loss if you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your hair with regards to dimished density or hairline recession or the development of balding or thinning of the hair.

Anyone experiencing hair loss may be a candidate for PRP treatments, but those experiencing early or active hair loss may respond best.

Recovery after PRP treatment
Following PRP treatment, normal activities are resumed immediately. Research into this cutting-edge technology is ongoing and rapidly developing.

Evidence and Research

• A systematic review of the research on PRP as a treatment for hair loss appeared in the journal Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
The analysis focused on 11 research papers that included a total of 262 participants with androgenetic alopecia. According to the authors, most of the studies found that injections of PRP reduced hair loss and increased the diameter of hairs and the density of hair growth. [1]
• Another 2019 systematic review, featured in Dermatologic Surgery, examined the findings of 19 studies investigating PRP as a treatment for hair loss. These studies recruited 460 people in total.
According to the authors of the review, most studies reported that PRP treatments led to hair regrowth in those with androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. [2]
• A third review of clinical studies, published in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology, considered PRP to be a "promising" treatment for hair loss, based on their findings. [3]

References

[1] Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, October 2019, Volume 43, Issue 5, pp 1326–1336. Guangyu MaoGuohui ZhangWeixin Fan. Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treating Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review.

[2] Dermatol Surg. 2019 Jun 17. Hesseler MJ1, Shyam N. Platelet-Rich Plasma and Its Utilities in Alopecia: A Systematic Review.