Hair loss can be expected as humans lose around 50 to 100 hairs per day without even noticing it. However, when hair loss becomes excessive, it can be an annoying, embarrassing issue that you need to find a solution for. In addition, hair loss resulting from heredity, hormonal imbalances, and medical conditions can become irreversible if not taken care of immediately.
As medicine advances every day, new treatment methods are evolving. As a result, hair loss is no longer a prevailing issue, especially when hair treatment methods are now available at an arm’s length. One of these effective hair treatment methods is PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, therapy.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is a three-step medical treatment in which a person’s blood is drawn from the vein of their arm, processed, and then injected into the scalp. This method is believed to trigger natural hair growth and maintain it by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicle and increasing the thickness of the hair shaft.
To understand this process further, you need to understand what platelets are and how they function. Platelets are a component of blood, along with red and white blood cells. When a person sustains a cut or wound, the platelets are one of the body’s first responders, which surface to stop the bleeding and promote healing.
Researchers mainly theorized that extracted concentrated platelets injections into damaged areas of the body might have healing traits. In order to produce PRP, your dermatologist will take a blood sample and put it into a machine called a centrifuge. This machine spins at a rapid rate, which separates the components of the blood. Your dermatologist then extracts the platelets for injection.
PRP contains a number of growth factors and proteins that speed up the process of tissue repair. As some types of hair loss result from damage to hair follicles.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Procedure
The PRP procedure is not an overly complex procedure, but it is also not simple. Here are the steps to the typical Platelet-Rich Plasma injections used for hair loss:
- Your dermatologist draws blood from a vein in your arm.
- They place the blood sample in a centrifugation machine.
- The centrifuge spins the blood, separating its components, including RBCs and WBCs.
- A medical professional extracts the platelets using a syringe.
- The dermatologist then injects the platelets into the targeted areas of the scalp of the patient.
The process could take around half an hour to be completed. Therefore, you might need more than one session, usually several. After receiving your platelet-rich plasma injections procedure, you can return to your regular activities without any restrictions.
Advantages of PRP Hair Loss Treatment
There are numerous advantages to the platelet-rich plasma injection procedure. However, we combined the best and most common benefits and curated the following list:
- It reduces hair loss and enables you to sustain healthy hair.
- Improves the thickness and grace of your hair.
- Promotes new hair growth, and you’ll have thicker, shinier, and healthier hair.
- No required downtime; you can proceed with your daily activity immediately after the session.
Disadvantages and Side Effects of PRP Hair Loss Treatment
Just like any other medical procedure, platelet-rich plasma procedure also has its own disadvantages and side effects, such as:
- Mild pain during the procedure.
- Dizziness and nausea due to withdrawing blood.
- Headahce.
- Temporary bleeding where the injections were inserted.
- Irritation and itchiness.
- Risk of local infection.
Indications of Platelet-Rich Plasma Hair Loss Treatment
Platelet-Rich Plasma injections can be suitable for any person, both men, and women. If the person suffers from mild to moderate androgenetic hair loss, also known as hormone-related baldness, they are eligible to pursue PRP hair loss treatment at any time recommended by their dermatologist.
Contraindications of Platelet-Rich Plasma Hair Treatment
Not all people can be eligible for Platelet-Rich Plasma hair treatment. There are certain medical conditions that prevent them from pursuing the treatment any further. The following medical conditions are a contraindication for the use of PRP:
- Critical thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).
- Active infections in the scalp.
- Hemodynamic instability (collapse).
- Excessive bleeding tendency.
- Sepsis (infection).
- Immunosuppressive disease or medication.
- Chronic liver disease.
- Anti-coagulation therapy (warfarin, dabigatran, heparin).
What to Do Before and After the PRP Hair Treatment Procedure
Here are some of the things you can do before and following the platelet-rich plasma injection process to guarantee the best results:
- Wash your hair on the day of the procedure before your appointment.
- Do not apply any hair spray or gel on your hair before the treatment.
- Eat a full, healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water.
- Do not shower or massage your hair in the first 10 hours following the treatment.
- Avoid exercising on the same day.
- Avoid applying any hair products or medications on the same day.
- Avoid sauna on the same day.
- Avoid smoking after the procedure.
How Many PRP Sessions Do You Need?
The number of sessions you need varies depending on your condition, cause of hair loss, gender, and age. However, on average, you might need up to 3 sessions, one month apart, repeated every six months to one year.
Duration of the PRP Treatment Procedure
The procedure does not take more than 30 minutes (half an hour) per session. For example, you would need around 5 minutes to have your blood withdrawn from your arm. Next, centrifugation requires about 10 to 15 minutes. Finally, your PRP scalp injection takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Conclusion
If you have been suffering from hair loss for a long time and you want a permanent solution to rid you of this issue, you should resort to hair loss treatment, such as platelet-rich plasma injections treatment. It is a safe medical procedure that is usually not too complex and does not take a lot of time to be performed.
Check with a dermatologist as soon as possible and ask them if you’re eligible for PRP injections. Call today to book your consultation appointment at 07 9111 2222.
