PRP for Hair Restoration

PRP therapy or Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy uses injections concentrated with platelets and growth factors drawn from the patient’s own blood. Once the patient’s blood is processed and separated, we end up with the enriched cells, or PRP.
For patients who may not initially be ideal candidates for hair transplantation surgery because of sparse hair in their donor sites , PRP therapy can provide a boost to their hair regrowth and make transplants a reality. Platelets help tissue heal and regenerate, and PRP has been clinically proven to promote healing. Doctors have also used PRP in plastic surgeries and skin rejuvenation. Because of its powerful healing properties, we are now utilizing PRP for hair loss.
At Cooley Hair Center, we inject PRP into the scalp to help stimulate natural hair growth. Unlike other hair growth drugs, some risks are minimized because PRP injections use the patient’s own platelets, virtually eliminating the risk of an allergic reaction.
It also reduces discomfort and downtime compared to receiving hair plugs or other costly hair treatments. PRP can be utilized in several ways. It can be used as a stand-alone platelet-rich plasma hair treatment or complement hair transplant surgery and help our patients’ healing and hair restoration.
Results can usually be seen within 3-6 months but vary from patient to patient. Treatments may need to be repeated, and combination therapy may be recommended for best results. Dr. Cooley and his team develop a unique plan for every patient, making sure to examine their personal needs and goals.
The PRP Procedure
At the start of a PRP therapy appointment, blood is drawn from the patient. The blood is then centrifuged to separate the platelets from the blood cells, creating plasma that is highly concentrated in growth factors and nutrients. Once prepared with ACell and other ingredients, the PRP is delivered to the targeted balding areas of the scalp using a series of injections. The average PRP therapy appointment takes about two hours.
Following a PRP therapy appointment for hair restoration, patients can expect to experience very mild side effects. Minor swelling and redness in the scalp may be evident but will subside quickly. Because the treatment is minimally invasive and PRP is autologous, meaning taken from the patient’s own body, adverse side effects are nonexistent. Patients can return to work and other normal activities immediately following PRP therapy.
PRP’s Use in Hair Transplants
PRP therapy can successfully minimize hair loss when used as part of a comprehensive hair restoration treatment plan. The nutrient-rich plasma rejuvenates aging follicles and can reinvigorate thinning areas of the scalp to produce thicker hair. While PRP therapy cannot completely revive bald spots or rebuild hairlines, it can make a marked improvement in hair density and overall coverage, especially for patients with diffused hair loss.
Results following PRP treatments are highly variable and may not be the same among all patients. Some patients can experience results lasting for two years or longer, while others may need to schedule a second procedure to increase results. Unlike other hair restoration clinics, Cooley Hair Center does not require appointments scheduled every three to four months. Dr. Cooley’s approach usually requires only one visit per year, sometimes every two years.
While PRP’s benefits are evident by its efficacy for hair loss patients, it works best as one part of a wide-reaching approach to hair restoration. When used in conjunction with PRP therapy, medicated products like Rogaine and Propecia can effectively manage ongoing hair loss, while hair transplants can restore hair to balding areas of the scalp.
How many treatments will I need?
We perform the procedure as a stand-alone treatment. Results can begin to show within 3-6 months but may vary from patient to patient. Our years of experience with regenerative medicine have shown us that the duration of any singular PRP treatment depends on the patient, their genetics and whether they were taking hair loss medications (e.g., finasteride, minoxidil, etc.).
So a patient with strong hair loss genetics and not taking medications would require more frequent PRP treatments compared to a patient with mild genetics who was taking medications. Results may vary from patient to patient, as will the duration of benefit. Since the early experience with exosomes is showing results superior to PRP and stem cells, we can surmise that the duration of benefit may be as long or longer.
Manage Ongoing Hair Loss
In addition to combating androgenetic alopecia, PRP therapy with ACell can be used to supplement hair transplants. Patients undergoing hair transplantation surgery can talk to Dr. Cooley about combining their procedures with PRP therapy. Doing this will provide a direct infusion of healing factors to the scalp following surgery, mitigating side effects and accelerating new hair growth.
Before its use as a treatment to regrow hair, PRP therapy was regularly used to treat injuries in athletes to speed up the healing process. By using the high concentration of healing factors found in plasma on newly-transplanted hair follicles, PRP therapy can create a higher acceptance rate for vulnerable hair grafts.
Before hair transplantation surgery, PRP therapy can also be used to prepare the scalp for graft harvesting. During hair transplantation surgery, donor follicular units are harvested from the back and sides of the scalp. PRP therapy can be used in the months leading up to the procedure by increasing the density of hair in the donor sites to provide more viable grafts for use during the procedure.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure to visit our Before & After gallery to view real results on real patients.
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Cooley Hair Center
If you are interested in the latest in hair restoration procedures, then consider PRP treatments from Cooley Hair Center. Dr. Cooley has directly contributed towards the research on this emerging treatment method and is proud to offer it to his hair loss patients. To learn more about PRP therapy or to book an appointment, call us today at 704-542-1601.