Platelet Rich Plasma
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a source of your own natural growth factors that stimulate tissue regeneration and hair growth. This is a highly effective treatment that is widely used in orthopedics, oral maxillofacial surgery, cosmetic surgery, and other medical disciplines as a surgery alternative that promotes healing, repair, and rejuvenation. Perhaps most remarkably, however, is that the PRP used to treat you is produced from your own blood.
How does it work?
Once a small sample of your blood is drawn, a special process separates its various components to produce the concentrated PRP. The processed PRP is applied to desired areas virtually painlessly and then activated to begin stimulating hair growth. Blood platelets represent our bodies’ own remarkable healing power, and when applied correctly, this power can also stimulate and enhance hair growth.
This non-invasive procedure takes little more than an hour and is often called the “lunchtime treatment” for hair loss.
PRP can be performed as a stand-alone procedure, in addition to other medical and non-medical therapies, Nanofat, PDO to scalp. Low level laser therapy to increase its effectiveness and improve outcomes. A medical hair loss evaluation is required to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for PRP treatments.
Does PRP grow “NEW” Hair Follicles?
No, your body cannot grow new hair follicles, but PRP has been proven effective at helping to stimulate weak hair follicles. PRP also protects and rejuvenates your hair by growing longer, thicker, more pigmented hair from follicles affected by hair loss.
What can I expect during a PRP treatment?
From a patient’s perspective, the procedure is quick, comfortable and relatively simple to undergo. A small sample of your blood is drawn and then processed under physician supervision in sterile conditions with special equipment to prepare the PRP. It is then painlessly applied into the desired area of your scalp, which has been cleansed and treated with a local anesthetic prior to the procedure. A special FDA-cleared microneedling device can also be used to spur the platelets into action to complete the activation of the release of powerful growth factors.
Is there any downtime after a PRP procedure?
After a PRP treatment, other than some temporary redness of the skin in the treated area, there are no signs at all that the treatment has been performed. There are no activity restrictions following treatment, and patients may shampoo their hair immediately afterwards.
What are the Risks?
Since the Platelet-Rich Plasma is derived from your own blood, the treatment is already perfectly suited to your body’s own chemistry and processes. This insulates it against disease transmission, cellular rejection and other concerns, making the procedure extremely safe and relatively free from all risks.
Assuming you are considered a good candidate for PRP therapy to begin with, risks are minimal. Even the need for post-treatment pain medication is rare because of the local anesthesia used during the procedure.
How often will I need to be treated?
Every patient responds to treatment differently. Treatments are recommended every month for 3 months and then every 3 -6 months depending on response and progress. Adding Nanofat to PRP extends the longevity of the treatment. Hence with combination treatments of Nanofat with PRP or Bio D Restore with PRP, results may last up to a year.
Is all PRP the same?
Sadly no. The PRP concentrations vary with the amount of blood used and the kit used to process the platelet concentration. At Transform Medspa, we are continuously trying to to update to the best technology available. Currently we use a PRP Kit made by EMCYTE.
