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Growing hair faster is something we have all thought about and now it seems it could be a reality with the latest research being done on PRP.
The Kardashians have been one of the few celebrities to make PRP more mainstream as of late.
Now all of sudden the search engine for PRP has exponentially exploded. And everyone is starting to ponder the same thing – What exactly is PRP and how, if possible, can it actually help us?
Note: There may be many reasons for hair loss and/or no new hair growth taking place. Such as stress and consistently adopting unhealthy habits. So please get checked by your doctor if you have any concerns first!
Table of Contents
What Is PRP?
As of 2015, not a lot of substantial research had been done into the benefits of PRP. Except beyond its use for orthopedic procedures/injuries. Now in 2019, lot more research is being done for its uses in other disciplines.
But first, lets begin by tackling that question from above.
PRP, which is Platelet Rich Plasma, can be better understood when broken down in separate parts.
According to the HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery in the USA), voted the number 1 hospital in Orthopedics for the last 10 years:
Blood has 4 main components consisting of: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Platelets are the substance that help to form blood clots in the body.
They gather at a site of injury, adhere (stick) to the lining of a blood vessel and form the base on which a clot then forms. Platelets are important because they are integral to the healing and repair of the body.
Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood.
Its main purpose is to transport the blood cells and along with other substances throughout the body.
So platelet rich plasma then is the portion of plasma that consists mainly of platelets. Now the question is how do you get the platelet rich portion of the plasma? Especially if plasma consists of many other things as well?
Well it’s done through a process known as centrifugation.
Centrifugation involves running a vial of blood. In this case of PRP therapy, one-to-a-few tubes of the patients own blood is withdrawn and used. Then this is put into a centrifuge (machine that spins rapidly to separate different contents of a substance). It will concentrate the plasma resulting in only platelet rich plasma!
After this process has finished, a doctor will take a sample from the vial via a syringe. He/she will then reinject it into an injured or damaged body tissue of that patient. And voila!
This formula causes the release of several growth factors. And allows a natural cascade of healing to take place from within.
Research On PRP To Grow Hair
One of the first major studies done on PRP therapy in the treatment of hair loss was in 2015.
Gentile et al. conducted a randomized control trial on the effects of PRP therapy on 20 male subjects. This therapy was to test for hair regrowth by doing a follow up after 2 years.
Half were given PRP and the other half were given a placebo. 3 treatments were administered to each subject at 1 month intervals.
Results showed that there was a mean increase of hair in the target area. Plus a mean increase in total hair density in the end with no side effects noted.
However, this study only highlights the effects of hair regrowth in male subjects. All of whom were suffering with male pattern baldness.
So although the results were extremely promising and otherwise positive, more extensive studies are needed.
Cut to March 2019 where the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Association released the following news:
Research demonstrating the potential of PRP therapy for hair loss to be safe and effective in treating a condition that millions of people across the United States suffer from.
In that same newsletter, it states that PRP therapy actually originated in Europe 10 years back. And was being used in orthopedics and dentistry, amongst other medical areas.
So since its advent, the procedure of injecting PRP into other areas of the body has steadily increased. And one such area includes injecting it into hair follicles for regrowth!
PRP Procedure Questions To Grow Hair
For people suffering with hair loss, it is important to delineate how long the procedure actually takes. As well as how much it costs and the number of times you need to go into the office.
How Long Is Each Visit?
Dr. Jeffrey Rapaport, a board certified dermatologist in New Jersey, states that the procedure of injecting PRP into the hair follicles takes no more than 10 mins.
I assume he is referring to the average amount of time it may take – as each case will differ. Especially depending upon HOW much hair loss one actually suffers from.
There have been reports of it taking up to an hour per session as well.
How Many Treatments To Grow Hair?
A person would be seen every 30 days for 3 upto 6 more treatments at least. Please remember this is after the person’s first visit has already taken place.
When Do You See PRP Results To Grow Hair?
Its been noted that patients first report seeing a reduction in hair loss after a couple of treatments. And then after a few months they may actually start to notice an increase in thickness and eventually regrowth!
Who Can Get It Done?
Dr. Rapaport states that although not everyone is a candidate for PRP therapy, it works well for those who are candidates. And for people suffering with hereditary hair thinning and/or baldness.
He reports that those candidates leave with a high satisfaction rate probably due to the fact that the success rate is also high.
Meaning that the treatment works for those individuals and because it works, people leave feeling satisfied.
He also notes that it is important for people interested in having this procedure done to do so after consulting with a board certified dermatologist.
Because some people may not be candidates for hair regrowth. And even those that are, may have to do a combination of things in order for the PRP therapy to work.
Who Is Qualified To Do PRP?
He says that although there are many other people (ie. non-dermatologists) who offer PRP therapy for hair loss, ONLY dermatologists have the medical training to specifically treat individuals for hair loss. And to determine whether they are good candidates for PRP therapy.
So I think that is an important takeaway when considering who you choose to see in regard to growing hair using PRP therapy.
It’s true that PRP therapy may not work alone. But if combined with other procedures,such as hair transplant or with medications like Minoxidil or Finasteride, can prove to be more fruitful.
Medical News Today states that as of September 10th, 2019 there is no standardized protocol. For example session intervals, preparation of samples etc. can differ depending upon who is administering the injections. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude how effective the treatment is for all types of hair loss.
Its important to note that PRP therapy is not a CURE for hair loss, rather it has to be followed up time to time again.
So once the hair loss has been managed and is under control, one may still need to get maintenance injections every 3-6 months.
In conclusion, research is extremely promising in the scope of PRP therapy being used to grow hair.
What Are The Side Effects Of PRP To Grow Hair?
There are very few (almost nil) side effects to doing PRP therapy. Why? Because it only involves injecting a person with their own blood making it appealing to most.
The only side effects reported tend to be local ones, such as, mild pain, swelling, or itching at the injection site.
The only downside of PRP therapy is that more studies need to be done to support the notion of how effective the treatment really is for everyone wanting to grow hair.
Please go see a dermatologist in your area for further advice and/or questions regarding PRP therapy. Dermatologists are the best ones to determinetwhether you are the right candidate for the procedure. Remember – the future looks very bright!
Stay happy, stay healthy!
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Hi I'm Dr. Tina Gupta physician-turned-type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and weight loss coach who helps you easily lower your blood sugars and lose weight by getting to the heart of your needs and desires instead of depending on food to fill that void. If you're interested in working together, email me at drnav@thelifestylecure.com to get started today!
