Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a curative procedure meant to spur hair growth on the scalp of an individual who is suffering from hair loss. What renders this therapy unique is its autologous nature, meaning the so-called fluid used for treatment is derived from the body of the person who has opted for it, thus eliminating any risk associated with allergies or reaction – and potentially achieving great results.
Blood extracted from the patient’s vein is subjected to a series of scientific processes and the PRP thus prepared is injected into the affected areas of the scalp to bring about healing and stimulate growth.
Why Choose PRP?
Amongst the several components of blood – namely red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets – it is the platelets which possess the capability of healing wounds1.
Whenever the concentration of platelets is increased in a particular area, wounds show signs of swift healing as compared to the time-frame taken with normal concentration2. Plasma acts as a medium that carries platelets and when the platelet count in plasma is increased by three to five times, the outcome is platelet rich plasma, or PRP.
In addition to bio-active proteins, PRP also contains “PDGF”, an acronym for platelet-derived growth factor, and “VEGF”, meaning vascular endothelial growth factor, both of which increase the healing power of the concentrate. Following is a chart that enumerates the various growth factors present in PRP –
This makes PRP a viable method of treatment in several branches of medicine: namely osteoarthritis, injuries related to tendons and ligaments, cardiovascular and dental3.
Video Explaining Plasma Rich Platelets Treatment
The following is an example of how effective PRP has been in combating acne –
When it was observed that on being injected, PRP not only repaired the damaged tissues but also hastened healing and recovery, researchers began to give serious thought to its application in the field of hair restoration4. Studies are still underway to establish its extent of viability to promote hair growth but its clinical application has so far provided satisfactory results.
How is PRP therapy carried out?
The therapy commences with consultation wherein the physician/consultant would need to determine whether the patient is a suitable candidate and would stand to benefit from it. Complete baldness falls out of the purview of this therapy and ideally it is supposed to work best on people who might be facing excessive thinning of hair but not complete baldness.
Actual therapy commences with 60 ml of blood being drawn from the patient’s veins and stored within a sterile container which is then placed in a centrifuge.
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Whats the best shampoo for hair loss? Courtesy of being subjected to high-speed spinning for 14-15 minutes, the blood separates into its individual components: namely the red and white blood cells and platelet concentrate.
The PRP thus formed is replete with growth factors and is ready for being injected into the affected area.
Meanwhile
the scalp has to be prepared for receiving the PRP and this is done by first applying local anesthetic to the particular region.
Next the area is pierced by a roller device comprising of micro needles, the objective being to create punctures that would form collagen.
Some of the common methods of introducing PRP into the scalp entail injecting it, spraying it over the prepared region or laying it into an incision. The following image represents the change in platelet count subsequent to PRP having been injected –
Plasma Rich Platelet Therapy Results for Hair Growth
Since this therapy occurs in stages, it is staggered over several months. During the first stage, the patient needs to attend roughly eight sessions with each being two weeks apart. The first fuzz of new growth may take anywhere between 2-6 months to appear and subsequent injections should be scheduled within a maximum lapse of nine months.
