FAQs About PRP Therapy for Hair Loss
Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) for hair loss, a method that uses blood plasma to stimulate hair growth, has been gaining popularity for years. Even so, it remains a newcomer to the billion-dollar hair replacement industry. And as the new kid on the hair restoration block, this method has faced much scrutiny and many questions. Is it voodoo medicine? Does it work for men and women? Does it really regrow hair? In this article, we address some of the most frequently asked questions about PRP therapy for hair loss.
Understanding How PRP Works
Doctors have long recognized the ability of platelet-rich plasma to stimulate the body to heal itself. About a decade ago, specialists began using it to stimulate hair follicles to revascularize and grow anew. The process involves:
- Blood draw – your blood is taken from your body
- Blood separation – blood is placed in a centrifuge to separate out plasma
- Injection – the plasma is injected into your scalp
It takes numerous injections over the course of months to see results, but proponents say they are impressive.
Can Anyone Do It?
One of the limitations of hair transplantation is that it doesn’t work well with diffuse hair loss, a type of hair loss suffered by many women. PRP therapy doesn’t have that type of limitation, making it a good solution for female patients. There are, however, ideal patient types. Doctors often see the best success in patients with some functioning hair follicles still left. Success is also reportedly high with patients who have more recently lost hair, as those follicles may be easier to pull out of dormancy.
Does It Really Work?
Virtually painless, non-invasive and done in little time – these qualities can make PRP therapy for hair loss sound a little too good to be true. But studies have shown that PRP therapy can indeed increase hair count and hair thickness. The catch is that patients have to be committed to the process. That typically means multiple visits for multiple injections.
What Are The Side Effects?
Any medical procedure carries the risk of side effects. With PRP therapy, however, risks are minimal. Some patients get inflammation during the first few hours after injection, while others experience swelling. Your doctor will provide tips on aftercare to minimize the chance of these and any other side effects.
PRP therapy has established itself as a virtually painless, cost-effective and minimally invasive mode of hair restoration. Is it right for you? Contact a hair restoration specialist today to find out.
Resources:
Wikipedia, Hair Treatment
