PRP is an exciting new treatment for hair loss and involves using a small amount of your own blood which is processed and then re-injected into your body in order to promote hair growth.
PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma and is concentrated blood plasma which contains between three and five times as many platelets as does the blood flowing through your system. Your blood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The platelets are what begin the process of blood coagulation and are therefore the key to the body’s ability to heal any wounds suffered. It seems that by increasing the concentration of platelets in an area that has been wounded, the healing process would accelerate and heal the wound faster.
The possible effects of it helping the growth of hair make it useful in hair transplantation and as a medical treatment for hair loss.
To see if you are eligible for PRP for hair loss, the first step is to make an appointment with our Dr Miguel Canales at Silicon Valley Hair Institute in Foster City. He will be able to undertake a visual examination of your scalp to determine whether or not PRP would be a suitable treatment. This includes evaluation of the scalp for the signs and symptoms of hair loss together with any additional problems such as inflammation of the scalp. A hair dermoscopic analysis, scalp biopsy, and blood tests or other testing may be performed if indicated by the history and physical symptoms.
If You Are Suitable, The Process Can Be Started Immediately
If you are a suitable patient, the process can be started immediately as it is conducted in office and takes about an hour. A small sample of your blood is taken and spun in a centrifuge. This has the effect of separating the solid parts of the blood from the liquid. Then platelet activators are added to it, such as thrombin, calcium chloride, and sometimes collagen.
The separated solid part of the blood is now PRP and this is injected into the areas of thinning hair. The scalp may also be treated with a local anesthetic.
Two further treatments will be required at four-week intervals and Dr Canales will by then be able to evaluate the results. Depending on the response to the treatment, further treatments will be provided every three months. Your hair will also be monitored with photographs in order that the success of the progression can be seen visually.
As we said, PRP is a new and exciting treatment for hair loss in the Bay Area and only a limited number of scientific studies have been carried out to date. We will monitor your progress to determine the effectiveness and also to see if any additional treatments may be needed.