Hair loss is an incredibly common problem in men and women. If you, your spouse or friend has experienced hair loss, you know the toll it can take on self-esteem and confidence. As a plastic surgeon who is passionate about helping people feel their best, Dr. Mark Schwartz is offering a groundbreaking solution for hair loss: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
PRP is a minimally invasive treatment that has been used for decades for its ability to heal muscle, tendons and ligaments. More recently, its cell-renewal properties have also been used to stimulate the scalp to encourage hair growth. PRP may appeal to you if you want thicker hair without excessive downtime or the discomfort associated with other traditional hair loss treatments.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Platelets are a component of your blood that contain growth factors, which trigger the natural wound healing and cellular repair processes. Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. Platelet-rich plasma is plasma with a higher than normal concentration of platelets.
The PRP treatment process for hair growth involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it to extract the platelets with the plasma, and reinjecting the platelet-rich plasma into balding or thinning areas of your scalp. The growth factors in the platelets increase blood supply to your hair follicles, making them thicker and stronger. This prompts new hairs to grow and keeps existing hairs growing. Because PRP stimulates the existing hair follicles, the results always look and feel natural.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The PRP treatment process is very tolerable. Your scalp will be numbed prior to the injections so you do not feel any pain. The injections themselves take only a few minutes, but you will need to allow some additional time to have your blood drawn and spun through a centrifuge to separate the platelets and plasma, and prepare the PRP for injection.
Since PRP does not involve incisions or anesthesia, little to no downtime is required after treatment. Some patients have mild discomfort from the injections that can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Temporary minimal swelling, redness and bruising at the injection sites may occur after PRP injections. These aftereffects should subside within a few days of treatment.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Initially, a series of four to six PRP treatments is needed to achieve the desired results. Your first four treatments will be scheduled approximately a month apart. After the initial series of treatments, most patients will benefit from a maintenance treatment every few months to keep up the results.
Results
The results of PRP treatment vary by person, but the response from our patients has been overwhelmingly positive. You should start to see some improvement in the treated area(s) after the second or third treatment, as the hair follicles become stronger and thicker. Shedding stops and new hair growth begins. Results will continue to improve for three to six months.
Learn More About PRP for Hair Loss
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Mark Schwartz, who has extensive training and experience in this game-changing therapy, increases the likelihood of your treatment success. To consult with Dr. Schwartz about PRP for hair loss, please contact our office and request an appointment today.
