Hair Loss: Steps to Take When You First Notice
You’re standing in the mirror and suddenly you realize, you’ve got a little less hair up there. Genetic hair loss is all too familiar—affecting approximately 80 million individuals in America alone. Although it’s a widespread concern for both men and women, there are aesthetic procedures to alter its effects.
Cosmetic medicine has some moderately effective solutions for staving off balding or thinning hair, including messy lotions, medications with side effects, or surgical transplants. However, there is a trending treatment that is getting rave reviews among its patients. This solution is known as platelet-rich plasma treatment or PRP and should be considered when noticing hair loss.
What Is PRP?
Platelets and plasma are two elements that make up the blood that courses throughout our bodies. These blood compounds are found right alongside our red and white blood cells. Each blood component has a specific purpose. The red blood cells transport oxygen, the white blood cells help the immune system, and platelets cause the blood to clot after a cut.
The final component is the largest. Plasma makes up more than half our blood, carrying hormones, proteins, and nutrients to various cells for healing purposes. It maintains our blood pressure and volume and helps dispel cell waste.
PRP is created by separating these components to produce what the name indicates, a plasma solution that is rich in platelets.
This concentrated plasma solution is the foundation for an effective injectable treatment that fights hair loss.
How Does PRP Treat Hair Loss?
With the body operating more efficiently when there is better blood flow, PRP can help the patient regain hair fullness with a three-step treatment protocol which involves:
Step 1:
PRP begins by extracting some of the patient’s blood. The process we use is similar to a blood draw at your doctor’s office. After drawing a small account of blood, it is placed in a centrifuge to spin and separate the fluids into different densities.
Step 2:
After approximately ten minutes, the blood will have separated into three separate layers:
- Red blood cells
- Platelet-poor plasma
- Platelet-rich plasma
The platelet-rich plasma is separated from the other blood products and is purified as part of the preparation process.
Step 3:
The PRP is introduced to the areas of the scalp through injection. We inject PRP into areas that need an increase in hair growth and fullness. PRP injections are often paired with a micro-needling treatment, a specialized treatment that creates micro-injuries on the surface of the skin, allowing the PRP to penetrate more deeply and jumpstarting a healing response within the skin.
Results
PRP is effective, offering real results you’ll see in both your hairline and your confidence. Our patients are embracing the benefits of this innovative and minimally invasive hair restoration treatment. They celebrate as hairlines become lower and thin areas are full once again. You may need multiple sessions depending on the severity of your hair loss.
Your Options
If treatments like Propecia® or Rogaine® are not giving you satisfactory results, and you want to avoid transplant surgery, PRP treatment is well worth your consideration. Whether you are just now experiencing some hair loss or it has become advanced, PRP hair rejuvenation may be just what the doctor ordered for you to enjoy a full head of hair.
Next Step
If you would like to learn more about PRP and how you can regain your youthful hairline or hair fullness, our professional team at Aria DermSpa is waiting to hear from you. Board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Lisa Donofrio provides a professional and stress-free environment for her patients and can guide you through the process in her personalized approach to aesthetic care. Contact us today to learn about how we help our patients look and feel their best.