Platelet-rich plasma therapy for hair loss is 3 stages of medical treatment. Under Platelet-enriched plasma treatment, your blood is extracted, processed, and then injected into your scalp.
Some researchers think that Platelet-enriched plasma therapy injections stimulate natural hair growth. They also believe that platelet-rich plasma maintains hair growth by increasing blood supply to the hair follicle.
Sometimes Platelet-enriched plasma therapy is also combined with other hair loss procedures like a hair transplant to provide effective results.
Although there is not enough research to prove if Platelet-enriched plasma therapy is an effective hair loss treatment, it has helped many people solve their hair loss problems.
Platelet-enriched plasma Therapy Process
Platelet-enriched plasma therapy is a 3 step procedure. Most Platelet-enriched plasma therapies require three at least 3 sessions 4–6 weeks apart. You might also need touch-ups every 4–6 months to maintain hair growth.
Step 1
Your blood is extracted from your arm and put into a centrifuge (a machine that spins fast to separate fluids of various densities).
Step 2
After 10 minutes in the centrifuge, your blood will separate into 3 layers:
- Platelet-poor plasma
- Platelet-rich plasma
- Red blood cells
Step 3
Your doctor takes the platelet-rich plasma into a syringe and then injects it into your scalp. This will increase your hair growth.
There is no sufficient research to prove that Platelet-enriched plasma therapy is effective. It is also unclear for whom — and under what situations— it is most effective.
Platelet-enriched plasma therapy has enough scientific theory to support its use in hair restoration. However, hair restoration using Platelet-enriched plasma therapy is still at its infancy due to clinical evidence is still weak.
Benefits of Platelet-enriched Plasma Treatment for Hair Loss
Platelet-enriched plasma treatment has become increasingly popular because of its many medical advantages. These benefits include:
- Safety: Platelet-enriched plasma treatment uses your body’s blood. So, there is no risk of getting a communicable disease or an allergic reaction.
- Minimal pain: Platelet-enriched plasma therapy does not require surgery, so you experience only minor discomfort.
- Convenience: The treatment does not need you to take any downtime. You can drive and go back to your normal activities immediately after the therapy procedure.
- Effective: You may begin to notice the results in 3 months after your treatment procedure. However, the full effects may not appear for about a year.
Platelet-enriched plasma therapy can benefit everyone with hair thinning problem. However, the results are genuinely transformative if you have androgenetic alopecia or an autoimmune disorder that attacks your hair follicles.
Side effects of Platelet-enriched plasma therapy
Platelet-enriched plasma therapy involves injecting your blood into your scalp. So, you are not at risk for any infectious disease.
Still, any therapy that deals with injections carries a risk of side effects such as:
- Infection
- Injury to blood vessels or nerves
- Calcification at the injection points
- Scar tissue
There is also a chance that you could react negatively to the anaesthetic used in the treatment. If you decide to go for Platelet-enriched plasma therapy, let your doctor know about your tolerance to anaesthetics.
Risks of Platelet-enriched plasma therapy for Hair Loss
Be sure to inform your doctor about all medicines you are on before the treatment. This includes supplements and herbs.
When you go for your first consultation, your doctor will recommend against Platelet-enriched plasma treatment if you:
- Are on blood thinners
- Are a heavy smoker
- Have a history of drug misuse or alcohol
You might also get rejected for treatment if you have been diagnosed with:
- Acute or chronic infections
- Low platelet count
- Platelet dysfunction syndromes
- Cancer
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic skin disease
- Hemodynamic instability
- Hypofibrinogenemia
- Metabolic disorder
- Systemic disorder
- Sepsis
- Thyroid disease
Platelet-enriched plasma treatment for hair loss has some strong research behind it. However, much of the study occurred on small groups of 40 people or fewer. So it is not easy to know if these results will work for everyone.
Furthermore, your blood may not have a rich concentration of platelets. In such a case, it may not be useful for restoring your hair using Platelet-enriched plasma injection therapy.
Talk to your doctor about getting a blood test for platelets. Also, make sure to check if your hair health and determine if platelet-enriched plasma therapy is a good fit for you.
