Hair Restoration with PRP

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a non-surgical treatment in the fast-growing field of Regenerative Medicine that has proven itself as an effective, low risk, and affordable alternative to traditional hair restoration methods.

PRP injections deliver a solution of concentrated platelets that contain vital growth factors and cytokines. When injected into the scalp, they can slow down and even reverse hair loss by:

• Increasing the blood supply to the follicles
• Increasing the size of the hair shaft ¹
• Triggering and maintaining the growth phase of the hair cycle
• Stimulating new growth ²
• Decreasing hair loss ³

Before & After

Results vary from one patient to another. 

What is PRP?

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is a type of injection treatment that uses one’s own blood platelets to activate tissue regeneration and accelerate tissue repair. It has been used for treating orthopedic injuries and musculoskeletal conditions since the early 2000s.

PRP injections deliver a solution of concentrated platelets that contain vital growth factors and cytokines. These are signaling molecules that control cell activity ⁴ and “instruct” tissue to regenerate and heal. This process is essentially replicating the body’s natural healing response where blood swells around an injured area of the body to protect it and facilitate healing.

Over the last decade, as PRP has become more mainstream, it has helped millions of patients manage chronic conditions and heal from injuries while avoiding complicated and possibly unnecessary surgeries.

What is a PRP for hair loss procedure like?

Dr. Lisa Lilienfield is specially trained in PRP for Hair Restoration.

Much like PRP treatments for injuries, the procedure for hair loss treatments is a very simple and quick 3-step process.

Step 1: Blood is drawn and placed into a centrifuge to separate the platelets.

Step 2: Concentrated platelets are drawn into a syringe.

Step 3: Using a small needle which minimizes any discomfort, the platelets are injected into the scalp in areas that need improvement.

The entire procedure takes approximately 45 minutes, including the blood draw, separating the platelets in the centrifuge, and administering the injections.

The number of treatments needed will be determined by you and your physician. Typically, we recommend that patients receive 4 initial treatments, once per month for 3 months, with a follow-up treatment after 2 months. After that, every 6-12 months for maintenance.

It will take about 3-4 months to show results, but could be sooner!

There is no recovery time following PRP treatments, but you are advised to avoid NSAIDs for a week after your treatment and should not use dyes or chemicals on your hair for ~48 hours.

Cost

$750.00 / treatment

Who is a good candidate?

PRP is best suited for treating men and women suffering from Androgenic Alopecia, and may also be used in certain cases of Alopecia Areata.

Female and male pattern baldness, or Androgenic Alopecia, affects over 50 million men and women in the United States.⁵ For most people, hair loss is an emotional battle that diminishes confidence and causes embarrassment, insecurity, and feelings of depression.

Traditional treatment methods include medications and surgical hair transplantation but they are not always effective, especially if there is an underlying issue that is not addressed. Additionally, surgical procedures can be expensive and come with a risk.

Are there risks with PRP?

PRP Therapy is very safe because cells from the patient’s own blood are used, which means there are no preservatives and no chance of the body rejecting the cells. The primary risks and discomforts are related to the blood draw where there is a slight pinch to insert the needle for collection and there is a potential for bruising at the site.

Contraindications

• Active scalp disorders (inflammation, injury, infection, local/skin cancer, trichotillomania)
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Cancer or chemotherapy
• Keloid development
• Blood/clotting disorders
• History of hyperandrogenism syndromes, body dysmorphic disorder

If you are experiencing hair loss and would like discuss whether or not you are a good candidate for thicker, healthier hair, please call us today at 703-532-4892.

References:

<sup>1. [Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature. 1]↩
2. [Dermoscopic pre- and posttreatment evaluation in patients with androgenetic alopecia on platelet-rich plasma-A prospective study. 2]↩
3. [Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treating Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review. 3]↩
4. [Growth Factors and Cytokines – An Introduction 4]↩
5. [Hair Loss Statistics 5]↩</sup>

Additional Research:

Platelet-Rich Plasma and Its Utilities in Alopecia: A Systematic Review.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Accelerated Androgenetic Alopecia Pattern Hair Loss After COVID-19 Infection: A Case Series