What is PRP for Hair Loss? Is it safe? How effective is it? What does it cost? These questions are often asked by patients who want to try PRP hair restoration treatment.
Hair transplantation has become a common procedure for men and women who suffer from baldness or thinning hair. The technique involves harvesting follicular units (FUs) from the back of the head and implanting them into the scalp. This process is called FUE hair transplantation.
A new type of hair transplant surgery known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair restoration is gaining popularity because it offers several advantages over other methods.
PlateletRich Plasma
Platelet-rich plasma is a new technology that is used for cosmetic purposes. It helps in skin regeneration and healing wounds.
Platelets are tiny pieces of bone marrow that help your body fight infections and heal wounds. In this case, PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. This is an injection that contains platelets and helps you heal faster. Platelets contain growth factors that help your body heal faster.
Platelets are most often associated with blood clotting. However, they also release many different types of molecules that affect a number of different cell types. These include growth factors that stimulate new tissue formation.
PRP Preparation
Current protocols for PRP preparation differ widely. High costs prevent many people from using them. Patient parameters such as hydration, infection, lipemia, and hematocrit also affect the final product. There are four different types of PRP: Pure PRP, L-PRP, P-PRF, and L-PRF. All of these types have different compositions.
PlateletRich Plasma and Hair Regrowth
Platelets contain many growth factors that help hair grow back. When injected into the scalp, these growth factors cause hair follicles to become active again.
In this literature review, we evaluate the effectiveness of PRP treatments for alopecia areata in twelve studies. We conclude that PRP was successful in promoting hair growth in many studies.
Materials and Methods
A lot of research has been done on PRP treatments for hair loss. However, most of these studies are still in the early stages. There are many different ways to prepare PRP, but there isn’t much evidence to show which method works better than others. Most of the studies use a centrifuge machine to separate the blood into two layers. The top layer contains platelets and white blood cells. This part of the blood is called the plasma. The bottom layer is red blood cells. When you inject the plasma into your scalp, it stimulates the new growth of hair follicles.
Obtaining and injecting platelet-rich plasma
A blood draw and a centrifugal force are used to obtain PRP. Plasma is separated into two parts: the upper part contains the PRP, while the lower part contains the red cells and white blood cells. Platelets concentrate in the PRP.
The Cost of PRP Injections
Your looming question is probably about the cost of this therapy. This is a big concern for many people, but being informed can make things easier when the time comes to go under the knife. You may know that there are different factors that affect the price of any given surgery. We’ll do our best to explain them here.
A single injection costs around $400-$1300. You need 3-4 injections per month to maintain the growth of your hair. After 6 months, you’ll need another course of treatment.
Cosmetic surgery costs vary widely depending on the type of surgery performed. A rhinoplasty (nose job) could cost anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 or more. Breast augmentation might run you about $3,000. Liposuction is usually less than $1,000.
Potential Side Effects of PRP Therapy
Any medication or medical procedure has the possibility of producing negative side effects. When it comes to PRP, there are many risks involved. There could be an injury to the nerves, infection, mild nausea, dizziness, etc.
Local anesthesia will be applied to the patient’s skin during the procedure. Some patients are allergic to the anesthetics used in local anesthesia. Patients should inform their dermatologists about any previous reactions to local anesthesia.
The Risks Associated with the PRP Procedure
PRP is a treatment that promotes hair growth. It works by stimulating the scalp to produce new hair follicles. There are some risks associated with this treatment, but if you disclose them to your doctor, he/she should be able to recommend another option.
There was no major adverse effect reported in any of these studies. Mild headaches, tolerable and temporary pains, mild itching and desiccation, and transient swelling were reported by some patients after PRP treatment.
Conclusion
PRP is one of the most promising therapies available today. It is a safe and effective way to promote hair growth. If you have thinning hair, talk to your dermatologist about this treatment. They can help you decide whether PRP is right for you.