What is PRP (platelet-rich plasma) Therapy For Addressing Hair Loss Conditions?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is a growth factor-based treatment for hair loss that falls under the regenerative medicine umbrella that also includes stem cell therapy.
Derived from a patient’s blood, PRP is a concentration of platelets containing growth factors that enhance scalp blood flow and encourage dormant hair follicles to grow. PRP therapy is one of the options available for individuals seeking to revitalize their hair.
How does PRP (platelet-rich plasma) Therapy work in addressing hair loss conditions.
The procedure involves three main steps:
- A small amount of sample blood will be drawn
- Blood drawn is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets.
- The platelet rich plasma is extracted and injected into the balding areas of your scalp.
PRP hair loss treatment offers a body neutral approach to hair restoration by harnessing the body's own healing potential. PRP delivers a concentrated dose of growth factors directly to the scalp, targeting dormant or weakened hair follicles. Activating growth factors can improve the blood supply to their hair follicles and increase the thickness of their hair shafts encouraging them to grow stronger, and healthier hair strands over time. Increasing clinical evidence suggests PRP can help patients with hair loss₁.
Citation source 1: American Academy of Dermatology Association Article Updated 12 Dec 2022
How can PRP (platelet-rich plasma) Therapy aid to aggravate natural hair regrowth.Growth Factors: PRP therapy harnesses the body's own growth factors to stimulate hair follicle activity.
Regenerative Medicine: PRP therapy falls under the umbrella of regenerative medicine, which aims to harness the body's natural healing processes.
Platelet Concentration: The effectiveness of PRP therapy can vary depending on the concentration of platelets in the prepared solution. Since there is a wide range for normal platelet levels (from 150 to 450 per mcl), some PRP samples will have much higher levels of growth factors than others, and this may account for the efficacy of the treatment.
Patient Suitability PRP (platelet-rich plasma) Hair RestorationPRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is not suitable for everyone. Its effectiveness and suitability depend on several factors, including:
- Medical History: Certain health conditions or medications may increase the risks associated with PRP treatment. A thorough medical evaluation is necessary to identify potential contraindications.
- Cause of Hair Loss: PRP is most effective for individuals with androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern hair loss. This condition typically presents as gradual thinning or patterned hair loss over time.
- Extent of Hair Loss: PRP tends to yield better results when initiated during the early stages of hair thinning, as active hair follicles are more likely to respond positively to treatment.
These are general guidelines, and individual suitability may vary. Research content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP (platelet-rich plasma) Therapy For Hair Loss
Is PRP Safe?
PRP therapy is widely considered a safe and effective procedure for addressing hair loss and thinning. Clinical studies have validated its methods, effectiveness, and side effect profile, supporting its use in suitable cases(2).
For individuals deemed appropriate candidates after a thorough medical consultation, PRP can be a viable treatment option. However, outcomes and risks vary based on individual health factors. A consultation with our medical team is essential to assess suitability and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Citation source 2: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2014/760709
Are there any side effects of PRP Therapy?
While generally considered safe, PRP therapy can have some temporary side effects, including pain, swelling, itching, redness, headaches, and temporary hair shedding. As with all medical interventions, side effects may vary depending on individual health conditions. Speak to the aesthetic doctor in detail during the consultation to identify possible side affects you may face from the treatment.
What is the Downtime For PRP?
Patients may experience some discomfort and soreness at the injection sites for a few days.
Itching at the injection sites is common but typically subsides within 1-2 days.
A key thing to understand is individual recovery times may vary based on personal health and adherence to post-procedure care.
How long does it take to see results from PRP Therapy?
Hair growth results vary. Individual results vary. The aesthetics doctor will explain in detail based on individual’s consultation outcome and reaction to the treatment.
Is this a 1 session treatment?
The number of sessions depends on individual needs and hair loss severity. A typical course involves 3-4 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
Individual results vary. The aesthetics doctor will explain in detail based on the individual's consultation outcome.
Schedule a consultation with our medical team to receive more in-depth tailored hair loss advice.
Absolute Contraindications:
- Critical thrombocytopenia: Severely low platelet count significantly increases the risk of bleeding.
- Platelet dysfunction: Conditions affecting platelet function can increase the risk of bleeding or reduce the effectiveness of PRP.
- Hemodynamic instability: Conditions that compromise blood pressure or circulation.
- Sepsis: A severe blood infection.
- Open wounds/inflammation at the injection site: Active infection can increase the risk of complications.
Schedule a consultation to speak to our doctors
Disclaimer: Information presented is accurate at the time of print. Websites and references listed are not endorsed by 21 Medical Aesthetics and do not necessarily reflect the views of our medical team. Information is researched and displayed for demonstrative purposes only. It should not be used for personal diagnosis or as a substitute for professional medical consultation.
External Links
| Singapore Medical Resources & Associations |
| Navigating Hair Restoration: A Guide to International Medical Journals |
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8922312
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4622412
https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(19)32554-X/fulltext
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31111157
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2014/760709
Sources:
| Journal | Relevant Information Extracted | Reliability |
| https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8922312/ | What is PRP, Side effects of PRPPRP Downtime How is PRP prepared PRP Success rate PRP safety | Published on pubmed Impact factor 4.9 Peer reviewed Open Access Dove Press - Taylor And Francis |
| https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4622412/ | How is PRP prepared Success rate PRP safety | Published on pubmed Peer reviewed Oxford University Press Impact Factor: 5.4 |
| https://www.singhealth.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/autologous-platelet-rich-plasma-injection | what is platelet and plasma | Singapore government website |
| https://jddonline.com/articles/evaluating-anti-inflammatory-potential-of-platelet-rich-plasma-in-scarring-alopecia-systematic-review-S1545961624P7813X/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39630665/ | PRP reduces inflammation in scalp | Published on pubmed Peer reviewed Impact factor 1.954 |
| https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/platelet-rich-plasma-does-the-cure-for-hair-loss-lie-within-our-blood-2020051119748 | PRP number of sessions PRP side effects PRP Safety | Published by harvard health publishing reviewed by Harvard Medical School faculty/ expert |
| https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(19)32554-X/fulltext | PRP side effects PRP temporary hair loss | Impact factor: 12.8 Peer reviewed |
| https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31111157/ | PRP is minimally invasive | Impact factor: 3.1 Peer reviewed Published by Oxford Medical |
| https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-platelet-rich-plasma-injections-heal-your-joints#:~:text=%22Platelets%20contain%20proteins%20called%20growth,associated%20with%20osteoarthritis%20and%20tendinitis.%22 | PRP reduces inflammation during treatment | Published by harvard health publishing reviewed by Harvard Medical School faculty/ expert |
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2014/760709 | Clinical study - male pattern baldness | Impact factor 6.7 |
