Hair loss or losing one’s hair can have a significant effect on an individual, causing a loss of self-esteem and confidence. Hair loss can be a concern for both men and women, with common conditions such as male pattern baldness, hair thinning and alopecia.
One of the most exciting new techniques in the field of hair loss is Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, known as PRP for hair loss.
Hair loss or losing one’s hair can have a significant effect on an individual, causing a loss of self-esteem and confidence. Hair loss can be a concern for both men and women, with common conditions such as male pattern baldness, hair thinning and alopecia.
One of the most exciting new techniques in the field of hair loss is Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, known as PRP for hair loss.
PRP is a natural treatment which harnesses the power of your own blood plasma to heal and repair, and in this case stimulate the growth of new hair follicles and strengthen weak or dormant follicles to thicken existing hair.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy used your own blood to harvest plasma, which is rich in regenerating stem cells and growth factors, it can be used to stimulate hair growth for people suffering from conditions such as male or female pattern baldness, thinning hair or alopecia.
A small sample of blood is taken and spun in a centrifuge to extract the plasma from the red blood cells, which is then reinjected into the scalp to stimulate hair regrowth. Usually more than one treatment is required over time and to maintain a healthy scalp and growing hair follicles.
Clinical trials have been shown to significantly increase hair regrowth compared to those undergoing other forms of hair loss treatment or who had one side of their head treated with PRP and the other side with a placebo solution. Results are also long-lasting but do require maintain to avoid a relapse of hair loss.
A small amount of blood is taken from you and then treated in a centrifuge to harvest the platelet rich plasma or PRP. This plasma is rich in growth factors, which are the cells responsible for repair in our bodies. The plasma is then re-injected into the scalp where it will stimulate the hair follicle to regrow or produce a strengthened hair if current hairs are poor or underdeveloped.
If you are concerned about thinning hair or hair loss and do not want to undergo hair transplantation surgery or use treatments that involve daily applications of drugs or chemicals, then PRP treatment could be the right option for you.
PRP can also be a good adjunct to hair transplant surgery as it improves the outcome by improving the health and quality of our scalp. Dr Wakil performs this before and after his hair transplant treatments as it strengthens the donor area and post-surgery helps the implanted hair to grow thicker and faster.
You will need to visit Dr Wakil for a full consultation to ascertain whether you are suitable for this treatment. A full medical history will be taken, alongside discussion about your hair loss journey and your concerns. Treatment is suitable for both men and women, although ageing and the menopause can have a bearing on our expectations for hair restoration.
The treatment is performed in two parts, the extraction of a blood sample from your arm and later the reinjection of the PRP. The former is perhaps the least painful and similar to when you may visit a GP surgery for a blood test.
The treatment can be a little bit uncomfortable, but most patients find it tolerable and local anaesthetic is used to minimise any pain or discomfort when injecting the scalp.
Because PRP treatment is minimally invasive and uses your own blood there is little or no recovery time with the treatment.
PRP should not be considered a ‘cure’ for hair loss, however, it has shown positive results and patients have reported some dramatic results. Hair becomes thicker, grows faster and new hair grows in areas where it was previously thinning. The results will become visible over the next few months following treatment and repeat treatments may be necessary to achieve optimum results. PRP is particularly useful as an adjunct to hair transplant surgery as it enhances and speeds up the results achievable.
