Millions of people suffer from hair loss and thinning every day. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss effecting both men and women. In fact studies have found that in the United States alone, this form of hair loss impacts up to 50% of men and over 20 million women. If you suffer from hair loss, know that you are not alone. Our team at Indigo Dermatology are committed to addressing your concerns and aim to work together to establish a favorable treatment plan. At Indigo Dermatology we offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for those struggling with hair loss. This procedure works to restore lost hair safely and effectively. Below please find more information about PRP. If you would like to learn more about PRP and if it is the right treatment option for you call us and book your appointment today!
There are many reasons for hair loss. On average, most people shed 50-100 hairs every day. This natural process normally doesn’t cause noticeable thinning because new hair is constantly growing to replace what falls out. Hair loss can occur, however, when the growth-shedding cycle is somehow interrupted, or if hair follicles somehow become damaged and are covered by scar tissue. Genetic predisposition, or family history, is by far the most common cause of hair loss.
A list of reasons for hair loss, though not all encompassing, are listed below:
Numerous research studies have found PRP to be a safe and effective option for patients who want to stimulate hair growth without having to undergo hair transplant surgery. Specifically, studies have found that PRP increases hair count and thickness. PRP therapy has a long history of use as a healing agent for painful joint problems. In fact, the very same factors that make PRP a successful wound-healing agent are also what make it effective for restoring lost hair.
PRP contains up to five times as many platelets as what is found in normal, circulating blood. Once injected into one’s scalp, platelets in PRP are activated and begin a cascade. Activated platelets release important substances including growth factors (Platelet-derived growth factor, Vascular endothelial growth factor, and Transforming growth factor) and cytokines. These growth factors increase fibroblast activation, collagen synthesis, stimulation of the extracellular matrix and overexpression of exogenous growth factors. Ultimately the result of this complex cascade is stimulation of hair follicle activity and the promotion of new hair regrowth.
PRP therapy is considered an autologous treatment, meaning that the therapeutic catalyst that’s used to promote hair growth —or the PRP — comes from the patient’s own body. This is important because it means that PRP therapy is completely safe and won’t trigger a foreign-body immunologic response.
PRP is a simple 4-step process:
Typically this procedure takes approximately an hour and has virtually no down time. Research has showed that some patients may experience results after one treatment, however for optimal results we recommend a total of 3-4 treatments 4-6 weeks apart. PRP therapy can usually begin soon after your initial consultation, with subsequent treatments spaced about six weeks apart. Six months after your first treatment, Dr. Thareja will assess your progress to see if you require further treatments.
PRP is considered safe for most people. Research has found similar results for both men and women. PRP is not recommended, however, for individuals with any of the below medical conditions: hepatitis C, HIV or AIDS, blood cancer, cardiovascular disease which requires taking a blood thinner, skin cancer in the area to be treated).
