Millions of people are living with some degree of hair loss. While it may be a common problem, it’s certainly a frustrating one. Historically, people who wanted to correct their hair loss had to do so via complicated, sometimes painful hair transplant surgery. This is still done, though with much more finesse. As an alternative, some physicians offer PRP hair restoration treatment. Platelet-rich plasma is an integral part of our hair restoration program. Here, we discuss how the process works, how PRP works, and why you may want to schedule your consultation now.
What Is PRP Hair Restoration?
Platelet-rich plasma is a substance that is found in your own blood. This makes it very safe and easy to obtain. To get PRP, Dr. Ong or one of our nurses draws blood from your arm. The vials of blood are processed in a machine called a centrifuge. This spins at high velocity, causing the blood plasma to separate from red blood cells and other fluids. Plasma is a yellowish substance that contains an abundance of platelets, hence the term platelet-rich plasma. Doctors use PRP for a wide variety of therapies these days, including skin rejuvenation and hair restoration.
How Platelet-Rich Plasma Stimulates Hair Growth
PRP hair restoration typically involves injections of this substance into the scalp where hair growth has become sparse and inefficient. The plasma contains growth factors that are building blocks for collagen production and healthy circulation through the hair follicles. There is also some clinical evidence that PRP may activate the dermal papilla cells that facilitate a regular hair growth cycle. The increase in circulation, growth factor activity, and collagen production translate into an extended active hair growth cycle and also the strengthening and widening of affected hair follicles.
Clinical Success
Dr. Ong is committed to results for each of our patients. She takes time consulting and examining each patient interested in hair restoration to determine the very best treatment protocol for their hair loss situation. Inactive or underactive hair follicles are one of several factors that can influence the hair growth cycle, so patients may benefit from a combination of PRP and other modalities. Clinically speaking, however, platelet-rich plasma has demonstrated the ability to achieve marked improvements in qualified patients.
In one study involving seven men and three women, platelet-rich plasma injections achieved a 27.5% and 31.3% increase in hair diameter and growth respectively. In other clinical studies, participants received PRP injections in one area of the scalp and placebo injections in another. After a hair growth cycle, increased density, diameter, and thickness were observed in the area treated with PRP.
Hair loss treatments are expanding to address the multiple root causes that may be at play. To discover what may be contributing to your thinning hair, and what you can do about it, contact our Scottsdale office at (480) 771-7771 and schedule a visit with Dr. Ong.
