PRP for Hair Restoration

​

Hair loss can be very disappointing for both men and women leading to a decrease in self confidence. Hair loss in women is often overlooked as it is diffuse, leading to thinning of hair over most of the female scalp. This diffuse thinning of hair occurs in many women with the natural aging process. However, both men and women can now have thicker, healthier hair with platelet rich plasma derived from their own blood.

With many people searching for a hair loss cure and for ways to stimulate hair growth, Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a simple non-surgical option to treat hair loss, especially in the early stages before one has literally become bald. For complete baldness, a hair transplant or hair piece is the most effective option. However, for everyone else, PRP can stop the hair loss and result in 30% more hair growth, with new hair shafts as well as thicker hair.

​

• No downtime

• Virtually risk free

• A non-invasive method of hair regrowth

• Can be combined with minoxidil and/or finasteride if desired

 

HOW THIS METHOD OF HAIR REGROWTH WORKS

​

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been used for decades in various medical disciplines such as sports medicine, orthopedics, oral surgery, and neurosurgery to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. 

As PRP is extracted from the patient’s own blood – there is virtually no risk of any allergic reactions or side effects.   Medical research has discovered seven growth factors contained in platelets that are thought to help stimulate hair growth, and there are likely many more factors to be identified that rejuvenate the scalp tissues. Additionally, PRP extraction techniques have improved recently, leading to higher numbers of quality viable platelets. 

​

What to expect?

​

Upon arrival for your appointment,  20 to 25 cc of your blood will be taken by a doctor or nurse from a vein in your arm. This part of the procedure is similar to giving a blood test at a lab. The blood is then spun down in a centrifuge system to separate and concentrate the platelets. Your own platelets and growth factors are injected 3 mm deep into your scalp with several injections  using a very small needle. The entire process will take about 40-50 minutes. The PRP will stimulate inactive hair follicles to enter the active growth phase.

​

The first thing that you should notice after PRP for the scalp is that your hair loss should slow down. Then over a period of weeks, to months you should notice hair regrowth and see thicker hair on your head.  PRP can be combined with other hair loss measures, such as LED, low level laser, other topical treatments, minoxidil, or finasteride.

​

PRP is an effective treatment option for men and women with hair thinning. If there is no hair follicles (complete baldness) it will not work. 

​

Recommended sessions

​

The PRP Scalp protocol is three treatments every 4-6 weeks and then assess hair growth. One can do more monthly sessions as desired, but most people will repeat the treatments at 6-12 month intervals. Theoretically, depending on results, there is no problem performing as many PRP scalp sessions at monthly intervals as desired.

Post treatment care

• Resume normal activities immediately post treatment

• You may use any hair supplement or oral treatment for hair loss that you desire

​

Who Can NOT get PRP?

​

Pregnant or breast feeding women
Patients with blood disorders like thrombocytopenia, blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.

Patients who have HIV or Hepatitis C

Patients with Diabetes

Patients with autoimmune disorders, and skin diseases like scleroderma.

Patients on blood thinners like Warfarin, Plavix, Aspirin, Xarelto.

patients with chronic liver disease

Recent fever or serious illness

Local infection at the site of the procedure 

Consistent use of NSAIDs within 48 hours of procedure 

Steroid injection at treatment site within 1 month 

Systemic use of steroids within 2 weeks

Tobacco use

​

Are there any adverse effects of PRP treatments?

​

Adverse effects of treatment with PRP are rare, but there are certain inherent and potential risks and side effects.  Some of the Potential Side Effects of Platelet Rich Plasma include, but are not limit to the following:

• Discomfort, Pain and bleeding at the injection site

• Bruising

• Infection as with any type of injection

• Erythema and red appearance of the treatment area. Severity will depend upon how aggressive the treatment was performed and how your skin reacts. Skin will be pink or red and may feel warm, like a mild sunburn, tight and itchy which may subside in 12-24 hours.

• Dryness, scaling and peeling which will resolves within 7 to 10 days.  In rare cases scab may form

• Injury to a nerve and/or muscle

• Itching at the injection site(s)

• Nausea /vomiting / Dizziness or fainting

• Temporary blood sugar increase

• Swelling at treatment site

• Permanent scarring ( extremely rare)

• Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) rarely occurs and usually resolves itself after a month.

• Minimal or no effect from the treatment

 

Pre-Treatment Instructions

​

• Avoidance of Accutane for the past 6 months

• Avoid Alcohol 7 days prior to PRP treatment as alcohol diminishes stem cell release.

• Avoid retinoids, topical antibiotics, exfoliants, hydroquinone, sunburn, and benzoyl peroxide 7 days prior to procedure

• Avoidance of IPL/Laser procedures for the past 7 days prior

• No waxing, depilatory creams or electrolysis 5-7 days prior to procedure

• No topical agents that may increase skin sensitivity or dryness 7 days prior to treatment such as topical retinoid or hydroquinone products, alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) beta hydroxyl acids (BHA), exfoliating masks, or benzoyl peroxide acne products).

• No shaving the day of the procedure

• No significant recent changes in the skin breakdown of skin or excess dryness or sunburn

• No NSAIDS(like Advil, Aleve, Aspirin) or steroid medication 7 days before and 14 days after the treatment as these agents will diminish the clinical outcome as platelets work by causing inflammatory cascade for tissue repair. You may take Tylenol or pain or discomfort both before an after without diminishing efficacy of PRP

• Please increase your intake of fluid the day before your procedure buy drinking 2 glasses of water in the morning, 2 glasses at lunch and 2 glasses at dinner.  (Please don’t drink water too late in the evening or you’ll be up using the washroom at night)

• On the actual day of your procedure simply have a bottle of water (500 mL) before your session.

• Please eat a normal breakfast and lunch the day of your PRP session. 

• Feel free to wash your hair the morning of the PRP session (or at least the day before)

• You may continue other hair loss treatments such as minoxidil, laser, hormone blocking tablets before your procedure. 

• It is fine to color your hair up to 5 days before the procedure

• Discontinue blood thinning agents such as vitamin E, vitamin A, Ginko, Garlic, Flax, Cod Liver Oil, Essential Fatty Acids and least one week before your treatment.

• Please stop multivitamins one week before your procedure as well. It’s fine to continue iron and vitamin D.

• Avoid alcohol for three days before your PRP session

• If possible, stop smoking or limit smoking for three days prior to your procedure. The more the better as we find it really impacts on the healing process!

Those patients who smoke, quality of PRP will be lower due to diminished stem cell release.

​

Post-Treatment Instructions

​

• Please shampoo your hair tomorrow morning with any shampoo you wish

• It is fine to color your hair three days after the procedure

• Wearing a hat today is fine if you wish to.  In fact, please limit sun on the area for 2 days.

• Do not use blood thinning agents such as vitamin E, vitamin A, Ginko, Garlic, Flax, Cod Liver Oil, Essential Fatty Acids and least one week after your treatment

• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes for the next three days.  

• Avoid smoking for three days (more if possible) – we find it makes a big difference to healing.

• Avoid aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Iburprofen, Naproxen, Voltaren and other anti inflammatory medications for 7 days after your procedure . We want inflammation to occur!

 

​