PRP – Platelet-Rich Plasma – is an exciting technology that has been in use since the 1980’s and has been used to treat tendon and ligament injuries, joint and muscle injuries, and in some instances osteoarthritis. It has also been used to help in cases of jaw surgery.
However, only recently it has been used to help slow down hair loss and improve coverage in areas of thinning hair. There have been insufficient studies carried out in order to prove conclusively that PRP works in all cases. However, a study carried out in 2019 compared two groups of 40 people over a period of treatment lasting six months. One group of 20 used minoxidil (Rogaine), while the other group used PRP. Only 30 people finished the study, but it was found that PRP for hair loss performed much better than the Rogaine treatment. It concluded that “PRP therapy can be a valuable alternative to topical minoxidil therapy in the treatment of AGA.” (https://www.ijtrichology.com/article.asp?issn=0974-7753;year=2019;volume=11;issue=2;spage=68;epage=79;aulast=Verma).
However, PRP for hair loss is not available everywhere, so we are delighted to let you know that at Silicon Valley Hair Institute we can provide it here in Foster City. People looking for PRP in Burlingame have been coming here for treatment.
What Is It And How Does It Work?
So, what exactly is PRP for hair loss and how does it work? PRP is made from a small sample of your own blood which is placed into a centrifuge which spins it around fast for about ten minutes and has the effect of separating the solid and liquid parts of the blood. The solid part of the plasma contains between three and five times the number of platelets in the overall sample. Platelets are the part of the blood that begins the process of coagulation when you suffer from a wound.
To the PRP is added platelet activators such as thrombin, calcium chloride, and sometimes collagen, and this mix is then injected into the areas of thinning hair. This has the effect of stimulating cell growth and turning thin, miniaturized hairs into thick terminal hairs, so filling out the area of thinning hair.
If you are looking for PRP in Burlingame, the treatment only takes about an hour and can be carried out at the time of your initial consultation. We then conduct two further treatments after four and eight weeks, and then every three months or so depending upon your response. Some improvement can be seen from as little as two months after the first treatment.
Our Dr Miguel Canales offers all patients a totally free consultation, so if you want to know more about PRP in Burlingame, make an appointment by clicking on the Free Consult / Contact link at the top of the page.