Hair loss affects many people, and it can be more than a cosmetic issue. You may feel less than confident, and people may perceive you differently. Options such as the use of medication or hair transplantation can be problematic, but PRP Therapy is often more effective, as well as easier and less expensive, for treating hair loss. In this blog, the medical team of dermatologists at Hollywood Dermatology & Cosmetic Specialists in South Florida explains how PRP Therapy can help with hair loss:
What is PRP Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP Therapy, is a non-surgical treatment that uses your own blood to generate hair growth.
How does it help with hair loss?
PRP Therapy was originally used to speed up the healing process after injuries or surgery. That’s because the platelets in your blood can promote tissue regeneration and healing when they’re “activated.” These growth factors can also encourage hair growth and slow hair loss, so PRP Therapy is now also used for these purposes.
What happens during the treatment process?
Your own blood is used during PRP Therapy, so it will be drawn and then spun in a centrifuge, which separates the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood. Your doctor will use local anesthesia on your scalp and then inject your plasma where hair loss has occurred.
No sedation is required, and you can receive multiple injections in one session. After about 60 minutes, your PRP Therapy session will be complete. Results aren’t immediate, of course, but most patients begin to see a change in about three months. In order to achieve the best results, the treatment may need to be repeated approximately every 9 to 18 months, depending on the patient.
How does PRP Therapy compare to other hair loss treatments?
Other options for hair loss treatment can cause issues in some cases. For example, the only FDA-approved medications for treating hair loss, finasteride and minoxidil, must be taken over time, and they can cause side effects. Patients who have dramatic hair loss may opt to have hair transplantation. This surgical procedure requires your scalp to be cut, which is costlier, requires more recovery time, and leaves scars.
In addition, PRP Therapy has proven to be effective in several different studies, often providing better results when compared to medication. It can also be used before hair transplantation to help this procedure provide better results. PRP Therapy is appropriate for many people, particularly those who have experienced recent hair loss, but your results won’t be as good if you have an underlying health issue such as thyroid disease or lupus. The same is true if you’re taking blood thinners.
To find out if PRP Therapy can help with your hair loss, make an appointment today for a consultation with Hollywood Dermatology & Cosmetic Specialists. We have eight convenient office locations throughout South Florida, and our dermatologists will help give you the best option for reversing your hair loss and re-growing hair.
