What is PRP therapy?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy for hair loss is a restorative process that is performed in three-step.
It is a medical treatment that involves drawing a patient’s blood and processing it to finally inject it into the scalp.
PRP injections are considered to induce natural hair growth. Along with that, they also tend to maintain growth by increasing blood supply to the hair follicle.
It also helps in increasing the thickness of the hair shaft. In some cases, PRP therapy is combined with other hair loss procedures or medications.
Though many cosmetic surgeons recommend getting PRP therapy, there is not enough research proving its effectiveness as a hair loss treatment.
The usage of this therapy can be traced back to the 1980s. Initially, it was used for healing injured tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
PRP hair therapy process
The PRP process is performed in three-step. Generally, three treatments of 4 to 6 weeks gap are performed for the most effective results. For maintenance, treatment is required every 4 to 6 months.
The three steps of the PRP hair process are:
Step 1
The process begins with drawing out the patient’s blood. That is typically taken from one’s arm. The blood sample is then into a machine called a centrifuge that spins at high speed to separate blood fluids of different densities apart.
Step 2
The centrifuge separates the fluids in about 10 minutes. The components of blood are obtained in three layers:
- Plasma deficient in platelets
- Plasma rich in platelets
- Red blood cells
Step 3
The platelet-rich plasma is taken into a syringe and then injected into areas of the scalp where hair growth needs to be accelerated.
As already said, the effectiveness of PRP therapy has yet to be proven by any strong or enough research. Moreover, it also needs to be made clear from whom the therapy is most effective and under what circumstances.
Recent studies have claimed that though there are scientific bases to support PRP therapy for hair loss, it is still at its initial stage for hair restoration. The available evidence needs to be stronger.
These are three steps that are involved in PRP therapy. The entire process can be performed in one session of 30 minutes. If you are looking for a clinic to get the treatment, visit ALCS immediately.
Side effects of PRP for hair loss
The process involves injecting a patient’s blood into their scalp; therefore, there is no risk of getting a communicable disease. But since there is injecting process involved, the therapy tends to carry some risk factors, such as:
- Infection
- Injury to blood vessels or nerves
- Calcification at the injection points
- Scar tissue
Local anaesthesia is provided at the treated site before injecting. In some cases, there remains a chance that the patient can react negatively to the anaesthetic.
So, at the time of consultation, inform your doctor about the tolerance level to anaesthetics.
Risks of PRP for hair loss
Before getting the treatment, it is advised to inform your doctor or healthcare provider about all medications you take, including supplements and herbs. The PRP therapy is not advised if you:
- Are on blood thinners
- Smoke heavily
- Have a history of alcohol or drug misuse
The treatment might also be rejected if you’ve been diagnosed with the following:
- Acute or chronic infections
- Cancer
- Hypofibrinogenemia
- Low platelet count
- Skin disease
- Hemodynamic instability
- Liver disease
- Thyroid disease
- Platelet dysfunction syndromes
- Systemic disorder
- Sepsis
- Metabolic disorder
During the initial consultation, your doctor will discuss your health condition, medicines you take, family history of chronic diseases, etc. It is vital to keep your doctor informed about all as it determines whether the PRP hair therapy is effective for you or not.
If your doctor finds any conditions or medication hindering the treatment, they might suggest against it.
Takeaway
A hair transplant procedure is a common and popular treatment option for hair loss. Some people also take medications to cope with the issue. However, apart from these, one other option that many choose to opt for is the PRP process.
Though there is not much clinical evidence to show if the PRP process works, many believe it is one of the safest and effective options. It helps in reversing hair loss and stimulating new hair growth.
To know which treatment or combination of treatments is ideal for you, consult your doctor. Various factors help to determine that, such as age, any underlying medical condition, the extent of hair loss issue, lifestyle, etc.
If you still need clarification about PRP hair therapy, visit ALCS Clinic. It is one of the reputed clinics for hair treatments. With his exceptional skills and trained staff, Dr Sunil Arora provides safe and effective surgeries and medical processes.
Moreover, the state-of-art infrastructure of the clinic and the availability of advanced resources provides credibility to it. So, book your appointment now for one of the best PRP therapy.
