PRP Therapy and Hair Growth

PRP Therapy and Hair Growth: What You Need to Know…
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a viable solution for people experiencing hair thinning and loss. This is how your own blood helps reverse the narrative.

When hair thinning or loss starts to be noticeable on your head, it’s a stressful, overwhelming feeling. The search for answers begins immediately and it’s easy to feel discouraged by the options available. Whether it’s the cost, process, or simply the lack of proven results, it can seem as though you’re doomed to the fate of hair loss.

One hair-regrowth option that has emerged to buck these trends is platelet-rich plasma (PRP). A treatment that began in the 1970s for use during oral surgeries to help soft tissue healing, the uses for PRP have expanded vastly. Commonly used today in the dermatological and cosmetic fields, sports medicine and as a powerful accelerant for wound-healing.

More recently, PRP has become a promising solution to hair loss. Using the platelet-rich plasma to nourish active hair follicles and sort of wake up those dormant ones. It’s also been proven to effectively promote blood flow to the scalp, which is critical for healthy hair follicles.

So let’s have a look at some of the fundamentals of PRP Therapy for your hair…

What Exactly Is PRP Therapy for Hair?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) comes from your own blood, for starters, and so it is a tremendous way to approach healing and hair regrowth naturally.

The PRP is made from a process where a small amount of blood is drawn from the recipient, then spun in a centrifuge to isolate platelets from other cells in the blood. Platelets are cells that are responsible for clotting, which is good when you get a cut for, for instance. Platelets rush to the scene and begin that clotting process to prevent you from losing too much blood.

Platelets also contain growth factors, which are proteins that promote healing and tissue repair. These growth factors are the critical piece of the enriched plasma that’s now been separated from the blood. Now, the enriched plasma is injected back into the scalp where hair loss is occurring.

The growth factors now work to stimulate the hair follicles by promoting the proliferation of cells within the follicle. This results in healthier hair, and more of it. Growth factors also stimulate stem cells on your scalp, which are crucial for maintaining and regenerating hair follicles.

PRP therapy has been shown to greatly impact hair growth and is steadily becoming one of the more popular treatment options for people afflicted with hair thinning and loss.

Recovery Time & Results
How long does it take to recover from PRP Therapy?

Recovery time for PRP is an interesting topic. The process itself includes potentially hundreds of injections around the scalp causing many small surface injuries. However, since PRP is so rich in those reparative growth factors and protective platelets, the small injuries are repaired rapidly. Keep in mind that recovery time will vary from person to person, as with most things.

Generally speaking, PRP injection recipients often recover within a couple days of the procedure. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to return to their normal activities that same day. In some cases, there may be some redness and swelling around the injection sites, but these effects are rarely cause for concern and should subside within a day or two.

Quick recovery is yet another benefit of PRP therapy.

When will I start to see results?
When you’re receiving treatment for hair loss, it can feel a bit tedious – something like watching paint dry. The question that comes up again and again is “when will I see some results?” The thing to remember here is that we’re working with the natural growth speed of your hair which, in most cases, is very gradual. So we’re not going to see results overnight.

PRP therapy aims to stimulate the follicles and create a more friendly environment for hair growth. So, within a few months you may begin to notice your existing hairs growing in thicker, but it will take several months with consistent treatment before you start to see noticeable new growth. Tedious? Maybe, but it’s worth it.

How Does the Cost of PRP Therapy Compare to Other Treatment Options?
As with any hair service or treatment, the cost must be factored in when deciding what the right course of action is for you. This is especially true in 2024. With that said, the good news is that PRP therapy is widely considered to be one of the more cost-effective treatments for hair loss. Combined with the effectiveness of the treatment itself, this is an option that provides bang for your buck.

Now, it’s worth researching clinics in your area and taking advantage of free consultations so that you have a firm understanding of varying pricing models.

PRP therapy for hair growth is a promising treatment and continues to grow in popularity due to its positive results. With minimal downtime, reasonable cost, and science-backed approach, it should be at the top of your list if you’re starting to explore hair restoration options.