Hair loss might be more common than you think. Approximately 35 million men and 21 million women suffer from it. And while it might seem like a hopeless situation with very few fixes, there are some treatments that yield real results. One such treatment that's both non-invasive and low risk is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
What Is It?
PRP therapy involves using your own blood to generate cell growth and repair damaged tissue. The idea is centered on the healing power of platelets. Platelets are blood cells that promote regeneration and are highly concentrated in PRP, which is a substance taken from blood. This treatment is used to help individuals with tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint injuries. However, it can also be utilized to address hair loss by targeting hair follicle damage (i.e. Hair loss)by stimulating dormant hair follicles to generate new hair growth and thickening existing hair. This activation is caused by the highly concentrated growth factors that are present in PRP.
PRP for hair loss was first studied and thought to be most effective in treatment of androgenic alopecia, also known as hormone-related hair loss, a condition that can affect both men and women. In men with AGA, hair loss typically occurs on the top and front of the head. In women, thinning occurs on the top and crown of the head and often begins with the center hair part growing wider. In recent years PRP has been extensively studied and has shown to be effective in many other forms of hair loss, even severe auto immune conditions such as Alopecia areata.
How It Works
The first step in this process is having blood drawn, usually from the arm. The blood is then put into a centrifuge in order to separate its components, causing the plasma to rise to the top of the segregated layers. Part of this plasma is the PRP, which is extracted for the next step in the treatment process. This PRP is then injected into the hair loss regions of the scalp. The treatment usually involves around three to four monthly sessions. However, the process of hair regeneration ang growth is a slow one, and it can take several weeks to a few months after the treatments to notice significant hair growth. Maintenance treatments every six to 12 months following the initial sessions are needed. The sessions are short (usually under half an hour), very tolerable with topical numbing cream or freezing spray, and there is no down time, making this process stress-free and easy.
We often recommend that you take an oral supplement along with your treatment, and occasionally add topical treatments such as Minoxidil (Rogaine). This allows you to tackle the hair loss problem from several angles and gives your hair the nutrients it needs to grow stronger, thicker, and fuller. I love hair supplements by Viviscal or Nurtafol, both medical grade and with significant published data to prove their efficacy in treatment of hair loss.
Receiving Treatment
If you're interested in PRP or want to know more about how you can treat hair loss, please don't hesitate to contact us. V Boutique offers PRP treatments in packages of four for best results and combines this effective method with Nutrafol and Viviscal supplements, that work in tandem with PRP to fight hair loss and thinning. Although treating hair loss might seem difficult, we're here to make it easier. Call our office at (561)357-2020 to begin your hair treatment journey.
Meet Dr. Vanden Bosch!
Dr. V - Neda Vanden Bosch is an highly-trained physician and sought after injector of dermal fillers and neurotoxins. With over 15 years of experience in aesthetic medicine, she is a faculty member of the prestigious Galderma Injection Training Network (GAIN) and trains physicians how to perform cosmetic procedures. Dr. V was recently named to Galderma's Top 100 Injectors. She has had extensive training and experience with collagen stimulators, laser and radiofrequency treatment, as well as skin care. Dr. V is licensed in 10 states. She is board certified by the American Board of Radiology.