Can PRP Help Restore Hair?

Hair loss is a stressful issue affecting millions of men, women, and children. Of the many possible causes, most hair loss is due to genetic factors that lead to androgenic alopecia (AGA), also known as male or female pattern baldness.

Patients with AGA often undergo surgical hair transplant procedures. But this approach has several limitations, such as the amount of donor hair available, invasiveness, and high cost.

In this article, we’ll discuss a few of the other available treatments based on a recent review.

Medical Therapies and Camouflage Techniques for Hair Loss

For patients who cannot undergo surgery, clinicians may consider the following medications and camouflage techniques.

• Minoxidil has been used to treat AGA in men and women since the late 1980s. Many clinicians prescribe the 5% liquid or foam formulation, though a 2% version is available for women who experience unwanted side effects.
• Finasteride and dutasteride block the conversion of testosterone to dihydro-testosterone. Both are highly effective, but finasteride can cause fetal abnormalities and shouldn’t be prescribed to women who may become pregnant. Dutasteride can also permanently lower sperm counts.
• Low-level light lasers use wavelengths of 635 to 650 nm, which slow down hair loss and can help it regrow. The efficacy is similar to topical minoxidil.
• Exosomes are vesicles that contain genetic information. They’re also an important means for cellular communication. Mouse studies have shown that exosomes can induce hair growth, but its use in humans for hair loss has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• Stem cells derived from adipose cells or bone marrow cells were once thought to help generate new hair. However, the evidence is clear that any positive effect observed is temporary, and the process is expensive.
• Scalp micropigmentation is a relatively new technique that can enhance the results of hair transplantation or add to the visual appearance of hair, like tattoos. This technique may be ideal for patients who are not candidates for hair transplants.

PRP is a Safe and Effective Treatment for Hair Loss

Despite initial skepticism, PRP has emerged as a strong, viable treatment option for hair loss. The concentrated platelets in PRP contain numerous growth factors, which promote hair growth when released.

The author of the present review has found that the efficacy of PRP may be affected by the delivery mechanism. For best results, he recommends that the injection depth be at about the level of the bulb. The PRP should be placed in a retrograde manner along the follicle up to the area of the sebaceous glands.

While some physicians advocate for using a microneedling method with PRP, the author has not found the technique to be the most advantageous. Microneedling alone, however, may induce a hair growth response.

PRP may be particularly beneficial when used prior to hair transplant surgery. When injected into the target area, PRP appears to help:

• Improve graft survival
• Allow for more dense packing of grafts
• Promote faster growth of the grafts

Certain patients, such as those with scarring or atrophic skin, may not qualify for transplantation initially. PRP can be highly beneficial for these patients. The author recommends at least one PRP injection a month or two prior to surgery. The PRP restores a more normal skin thickness and vascular network, providing a more fertile environment for grafts and increasing their survivability.

For other patients, the review author suggests doing one PRP treatment followed by a waiting period of 1 to 2 months. If the patient has a positive response, he recommends 2 to 4 treatments per year.

An Effective Solution for Patients With Hair Loss

Millions of men, women, and children experience hair loss. While there are many causes, hair loss can be reversed in patients with AGA using medical or surgical therapy. And PRP can be a powerful addition to your patients’ treatment.

Not all PRP kits are the same. Dr. PRP kits allow you to administer highly concentrated PRP to your patients as soon as it’s prepared - no advanced preparation needed. Check out our kits and centrifuges in our online store.

What will Dr. PRP mean for your practice? Contact us today to learn more at 844-377-7787 (DR- PRP-US).