Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a form of injection treatment that is used in a wide range of scenarios in medicine. Some scenarios of use include supporting the healing of wounds, treating joints in orthopedics, improving egg quality and quantity in gynecology, and treating hair loss in dermatology. In the case of hair loss, PRP is one such treatment method for hair loss. As stated previously, PRP is a treatment that is delivered by injection, however, the solution of the injection consists of a patient’s blood sample, more specifically plasma, that has more platelets than normal. Post-procedure, PRP for hair loss will typically take anywhere from three to six months to begin seeing desired results, however, it is quite common to see enhancement in hair thickness and texture, as well as new hairs growing within two weeks. PRP can be a greatly effective way to tackle hair loss for many people, but it is very much advised to consult a dermatologist to ensure it is the best option.

A more straightforward understanding of PRP can be derived from the vocabulary of the treatment: platelets are the components of blood that form clots to prevent bleeding, and plasma is the liquid component of blood that holds the blood cells and platelets. With that known, it can be said that plasma that holds more platelets is used as an injection to fight hair loss alongside many other conditions. The process involves collecting a sample of a patient’s blood, then separating the components of blood via a centrifuge to create the solution of platelet-rich plasma, and injecting it into the desired site; For hair loss specifically, PRP is injected into the scalp. In some instances, there will be an activation agent (commonly calcium chloride) involved in the solution to help accelerate the growth factors. Thanks to technology and our modern understanding of medicine, many procedures such as PRP have been made fairly straightforward, however, it is still an excellent idea to discuss potential options and weigh the benefits with a trusted physician.

There are several distinct qualities of candidates that will increase the chance of success of PRP hair loss treatment. For one, those experiencing patterned hair loss, such as male or female pattern baldness will see the most significant results through treatment. While that is true, PRP also works most effectively when people still have some hair and are still in the process of being lost or thinning. In other words, those in earlier stages of hair loss are likely to see better results. Additionally, a person should be in generally good health. This can mean their blood sample should be healthy and have a normal amount of platelets in the blood as it is a patient’s blood that provides the solution to their hair loss with PRP. It also means that a patient should not be on any form of medication known to thin blood, or have scalp or skin conditions that could cause potential risk in the procedure.

While platelet-rich plasma injections are an effective way to reverse hair loss, it is far from a one-time fix solution for the vast majority of people. Realistically, people can expect a series of injections to eventually see results that last for 18-24 months. Commonly, people undergo anywhere from three to six separate sessions of injections, spaced roughly one to two months apart, however, this number will very much depend on what a dermatologist recommends for a patient’s specific case. Following the 18-24 month period, it is recommended to continue with the PRP injections to maintain the results if desired. Having this information in mind will allow for more appropriate expectations and limitations of treatment, and in turn, help determine if PRP is appealing to you. If it is the case that the treatment is appealing, setting up that initial appointment with a dermatologist will be the first step in seeking help to reverse hair loss. 
 
PRP injections are an effective and non-invasive solution for restoring hair, offering a natural-looking result without the need for surgery. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 3461 Warrensville Center Rd, Suite #100, Shaker Heights, OH 44122. We serve patients from Shaker Heights OH, Cleveland OH, Brooklyn Heights OH, Lyndhurst OH, Richmond Heights OH, Hunting Valley OH, Mayfield OH, and surrounding areas.