💉Procedure: Non-surgical | 💟Recovery: Same day | 💰Cost: 400$ – 3000$ | 📈Success rate: 70% |
⏳Time: 30-60 minutes | 💤Anesthetic: Local | 📅Lifespan: 6-9 months | ⭐Results: In 3 months |
PRP hair treatment is a new and still-improving method for hair loss. It is still being clinically tested and being improved to have a standardized method by doctors. But so far, it has a whopping 70% success rate among patients. These high results mean that it can be better and more preferred in the future.
This article will help you understand what PRP is and how it works. Let’s have a short look at the takeaway of this article:
- PRP HAIR TREATMENT IS NON-SURGICAL
- PRP HAS NO SIDE EFFECTS AS IT IS PREPARED FROM THE PATIENT’S BLOOD
- IT REQUIRES MULTIPLE SESSIONS
- YOU CAN GO ON WITH YOUR DAY RIGHT AFTER YOUR SESSION
- IT IS PAIN-FREE
- BEFORE AND AFTER SESSION INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED MINDFULLY
What Is PRP for Hair Treatment?
PRP hair treatment is a non-surgical approach to hair restoration procedures. This technique uses the patient’s blood to help with hair follicle stimulation and indirectly helps thicken hair density and stimulate hair growth.
Of course, PRP alone is not a treatment for hair loss. It can help boost other treatments such as drugs (minoxidil and/or finasteride) and other procedures’ (hair transplant, beard and body hair transplant, etc.) results.
PRP hair treatment can be used to treat conditions such as androgenetic alopecia, hair thinning, and alopecia areata.
Do PRP Injections for Hair Loss Work?
Yes, PRP injection for hair loss work. However, it would be wise to keep in mind that the results might not be the same for everyone. Even though the PRP hair treatment has a 70% success rate, the density of the achieved hair restoration may differ.
According to the collected data provided by Anon Paichitrojjana and Anand Paichitrojjana in 2022, it is seen that PRP hair treatment is proven to help increase hair density and hair thickness in patients with hair loss within 3-6 months.
Do PRP Injections Work for Dormant Hair?
Yes, PRP treatment works for dormant hair. As long as the hair follicle is still functioning and can be revitalized, PRP can help keep them awake and productive, promoting hair stimulation.
Do PRP Scalp Injections Work for Thinning Hair?
Yes, PRP therapy can also help with thinning hair. Alive and functioning hair follicles can be salvaged. Meaning, it is possible to treat thinning hair with PRP.
What Are The Advantages and Downsides of PRP Injections?
Although the advantages of PRP outnumber the downsides by far, they should be taken into consideration while making a decision. Let’s review them.
Advantages
- FDA-approved
- NON-SURGICAL
- RAPID HEALING TIME
- NON-SCARRING
- NO SIDE EFFECTS OR ALLERGIC REACTIONS
- IMPROVES SCALP HEALTH
Downsides
- MOSTLY NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE
- REQUIRES MULTIPLE SESSIONS
- NOT ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF A STANDARDIZED METHOD
The PRP Procedure
First, around 10cc blood will be drawn from you. After the blood draw, your blood will be placed in a tube with anticoagulants (blood thinners) to prevent clotting. Then, the tube will be put inside a machine called a centrifuge. This machine will spin the blood around 3500 rounds per minute for 10 minutes. The centrifugation method will help blood separate into 3 parts from bottom to top:
- RED BLOOD CELLS
- PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP) AND WHITE BLOOD CELLS
- PLATELET-POOR PLASMA (PPP)
Did you know? The minimum number of platelets for PRP hair injections is about 1 million, and the recommended concentration is about 1.5 million platelets per microliter (μL). |
After the preparation is done, local anesthetics will be applied to your scalp because PRP will be injected into it with a needle. The procedure is not painful as local anesthetics are used. The procedure will take around 30 to 60 minutes.
It is a non-invasive and non-surgical procedure, meaning you won’t need to worry about scars and should be able to go on with your day right after the session.
How Many PRP Sessions Are Needed for Hair?
Depending on the severity of the hair loss and the type of hair, one might need 3 to 6 PRP injection sessions. These sessions need to be done 4 to 6 weeks apart. Of course, that does not end there. To make sure the results are permanent, patients do need to go for maintenance sessions every 6 to 12 months.
Are PRP Injections for Hair Effective Immediately?
PRP injections are not effective immediately. It will take a short time for hair to grow, increase, and thicken. However, the results will show shortly, in 3 to 4 months.
How Long Does It Take for PRP for Hair Injections to Work?
You might start seeing results around 3 months after the treatment. The growth pace will hasten, but it will still take time to get a significant result as hair grows around half an inch in a month.
How Long Does A PRP Injection Last?
PRP shot treatment will last around 6 to 9 months. After the treatment, it is advised to continue with maintenance PRP sessions every 6-12 months to keep the results long-lasting.
Are There Any Side Effects of PRP Injections for Hair Loss?
There are no specific PRP injection side effects that patients can experience because PRP is prepared with the patient’s own blood. However, there may be some practice-related side effects. These are, in the hands of experienced dermatologists who do PRP injections for hair loss, extremely rare.
Side effects of PRP injections for hair might include:
- BLEEDING
- INFECTION
- NERVE INJURIES
- TISSUE DAMAGE
- ALLERGIC REACTION TO ANESTHESIA
The chances of these side effects happening are slim to none. However, in the hands of an inexperienced service provider, they can occur.
Are PRP Injections Painful?
PRP injections are not considered to be painful. On a scale from 1 to 10, the pain would be either 1 or 2 thanks to the anesthetics applied before the injections.
Before the procedure, local anesthetics will be applied to your scalp. So during the procedure, you will only feel mild pressure. After the procedure is done and the local anesthesia starts to wear off, you might feel slight discomfort on your scalp, which should fade away quickly.
Can PRP Cause Clots?
PRP alone does not cause blood clots. However, if during the procedure the syringe accidentally damages a blood vessel, it might cause injury to a vessel. As a natural response, the body starts to form clots to stop the bleeding and heal the damaged area.
There is no need to worry about that as this happens almost never in the hands of an experienced dermatologist.
If this occurs out of control, your provider will treat the clot as if any other clot as soon as possible.
Can PRP Be Done Wrong?
In extremely rare cases, PRP can be done wrong. If the PRP procedure goes wrong, it can cause hair loss instead of hair regrowth.
To prevent PRP from being done wrong, any precautions against infections, damage to blood vessels, and scarring should be taken.
PRP treatment for hair should be done in a sterile clinic or a hospital, with sterile tools, and with an experienced team.
How Much Does PRP Hair Treatment Cost?
Depending on the location, the cost of PRP injections for hair loss can vary from 400$ to 3,000$ per session. Places that have a high cost of living provide this service for a much higher price than a place with a lower cost of living.
Another thing that affects the PRP hair treatment cost can be the clinic or hospital’s reputation, success rate, team’s experience and expertise, etc.
To get the ultimate results for an affordable price, contact us here at Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic!
Is PRP Hair Loss Treatment Covered By Insurance?
Unfortunately, no. Insurance companies do not cover PRP hair restoration practices. There are two reasons behind this:
- PRP for hair loss is considered to be an aesthetic procedure.
- PRP injections for hair restoration are approved by the FDA, however, it is still considered experimental because it is yet to have a standardized method for hair loss.
Where Can I Get PRP Injections For Hair Loss
You can get PRP for hair growth in hair clinics. There are also private hospitals that also provide hair restoration services. Make sure that the clinic is licensed just like our clinic and that the doctor is as experienced as Dr. Serkan Aygin.
Here are some of the reviews of our patients at Serkan Aygın’s clinic:
Anonymous – April 14, 2019
Such an Amazing Experience with Dr, with Great Results
Don’t bother to look anywhere else but Dr Serkan. I was so impressed by the professional staff and the clean clinic, It was an amazing painless experience. I had one treatment in the past and I was shocked to find out that the second time, was so painless. The staff are so nice and professional, responsive, and answer every question over call and text. I recommend every person who needs this procedure go to Dr. Serkan. BEST BEST BEST!
Kevin S. – Jan 20, 2023 | US
The clinic is wonderful and they made…
The clinic is wonderful and they made everything super easy. They coordinated all transportation which was amazing and the procedure went well. The results are great, my hair is so much thicker and looks amazing. There are a lot of sketchy clinics in Turkey but this one was really amazing. I’m so much happier with having great hair again.
Kevin Dean Prinze – Feb 15, 2023 | US
To say that I am impressed is an…
To say that I am impressed is an understatement. First, the work done by the doctor and team is pure perfection and I could not be happier. However, I was also just as happy with the staff and arrangements. The hotel, transportation, and clinic staff were simply amazing. This is the most well-done process and experience I have ever had. I would HIGHLY recommend this doctor and clinic to anyone!
Watch Ardahan Uzkanbaş’s PRP experience at our clinic.
Who Are Candidates For PRP Injections From Hair Loss?
Candidates for PRP hair treatment are patients with:
- FEMALE-PATTERN HAIR LOSS
- MALE-PATTERN HAIR LOSS
- HAIR THINNING
- AVERAGE AMOUNT OF PLATELETS IN THEIR BLOOD
- ALOPECIA AREATA
Last but not least, patients who went through hair transplantation procedures are also candidates for PRP hair treatment. This treatment can help boost recovery and can also bring better and longer-lasting results.
What To Do Post-PRP Treatment
There are quite a few instructions you need to follow following your PRP session. Let’s give them a quick look.
- Use pH-balanced shampoo for 3 days
- Take a warm, but not scalding, shower and wash your hair in the evening after your session.
- Drink lots of water
- Do not apply ice to the injected area
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medicines for 3 days
- Avoid sunlight exposure and heat for 3 days
- Do not use any hair products for 6 hours after the session
- Do not go to swimming, sauna, steam room, etc. for 2 days
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, etc.
- Do not use minoxidil for 3 days
- Do not use blood thinners for a week
- Avoid sweating excessively
- Do not color or style your hair with heat for 3 days
How Long Should You Rest After Treatment?
It is recommended that the patients should rest for the remainder of the day after their sessions. The scalp will be sensitive, and contact with the treated area should be kept to a minimum for a couple of days. These precautions will help the scalp and the hair follicles absorb the platelets properly.
Can You Walk After The Treatment?
Yes, you can walk after your PRP hair restoration session. PRP only requires local anesthetics, so you will be good to go right after the treatment.
Why No Caffeine Is Allowed After PRP Therapy?
Caffeine increases blood flow and dilates blood vessels. This affects the healing process, and might negatively affect the area where PRP was applied. This can worsen swelling and bruising.
Caffeine also increases inflammation along with decreasing platelet activity. This might mildly cancel the purpose of the treatment.
Although very minimal, caffeine also dehydrates the body because it makes you pass more urine. If you drink lots of caffeinated drinks throughout the day, it would be wise to avoid caffeine during recovery as being hydrated helps boost recovery.
Is It Possible To Experience Hair Loss After PRP Treatment?
You might see that you are losing some of your hair after PRP treatment. That is completely normal. This occurrence is called “shock hair loss”. It is a temporary thing; new and stronger hair will place them in no time.
Are Any Preparations Needed?
Yes. 1 week before the procedure, you need to do some preparations. As the day of your session comes closer, there will be other instructions added. Let’s review.
1 week before
- If you are, stop taking blood thinners, vitamin supplements, and anti-inflammatory medications
- Avoid exposure to sunlight or heat
3 days before
- Drink more water
- Avoid consuming alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, etc.
Day of the session
- Take a shower and wash your hair thoroughly
- Drink 500mL water at least 2 hours before your session
- Do not apply any hair products
Are There Any Alternatives To PRP Treatment?
Yes, there are alternatives for PRP hair treatment. As PRP is not a stand-alone treatment for hair loss, the alternatives are nothing you haven’t heard of. However, instead of PRP, there are other supporting treatments available. Before deciding on any of these treatments, make sure to talk with your doctor during your consultation.
ACell+PRP Hair Treatment
ACell PRP is, in short, PRP with ACell added to it. ACell is an FDA-approved cellular regeneration material. It helps further enhance the effects of PRP.
Does ACell Really Make A Difference With PRP Injections For Hair Loss?
Yes, ACell makes a difference when added to PRP injections. ACell is a cellular regeneration material that’s been approved by the FDA. It helps with vessel formation and helps heal scar tissues. PRP is proven to be more effective and more long-lasting when ACell is added to it.
Photobiomodulation
Photobiomodulation, or low-level laser therapy, is also an emerging method for hair loss. This method utilizes the non-ionizing lights, lasers, and light-emitting diodes. These help stimulate hair growth along with other treatments.
Hair Transplant
A hair transplant surgery is another alternative to PRP. Keep in mind that PRP can be used as an enhancer after a hair transplant. However, it still is not a miracle worker. Hair transplant, on the other hand, can offer great results.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are usually used to treat autoimmune-related hair loss such as alopecia areata, alopecia universalis, etc.
Medications
Medications such as minoxidil and finasteride help with hair loss conditions. Although PRP can be used as a supportive treatment for these medications, these can be stand-alone treatments or can be used to support other treatments.
Scalp Micropigmentation
Scalp pigmentation is simply getting your scalp tattooed. It is mostly done to people with hair thinning to make it look like their head is fuller with hair. However, if one has more balding on their scalp, like hairline receding or balding patches, it may not be a reliable method.
Hair Replacement
As hair replacement, people can use wigs, extensions, etc. This method is mostly used among African-American women, people with alopecia universalis or alopecia totalis, and cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy.
References:
- Paichitrojjana, A., & Paichitrojjana, A. (2022). Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review. Drug design, development and therapy, 16, 635–645.
- Hetz, S. P., Martin, J., & Pototschnig, H. (2022). Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Pattern Hair Loss in Male and Female Patients. Cureus, 14(9), e28801.
- Singh S. (2015). Role of platelet-rich plasma in chronic alopecia areata: Our centre experience. Indian journal of plastic surgery : official publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India, 48(1), 57–59.
- Gupta, A. K., Renaud, H. J., & Rapaport, J. A. (2021). Platelet-rich Plasma and Cell Therapy: The New Horizon in Hair Loss Treatment. Dermatologic clinics, 39(3), 429–445.
- Torres, A. E., & Lim, H. W. (2021). Photobiomodulation for the management of hair loss. Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine, 37(2), 91–98.
- Jones, I. A., Togashi, R. C., & Thomas Vangsness, C., Jr (2018). The Economics and Regulation of PRP in the Evolving Field of Orthopedic Biologics. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 11(4), 558–565.
