When people suffer from thinning hair as they get older, they often think that the only solution is the treatment of hair loss via “traditional” medicine. That means things such as Propecia, which is finasteride, or minoxidil. Another alternative is, of course, a hair transplant. Apart from these treatments for hair loss via “traditional” medicine or procedures there don’t appear to be any alternatives.
However, the good news is that now there is indeed an alternative and this is known as PRP for hair loss. In fact, it is such a new therapy that many people know nothing about it, and that is why it is not available just anywhere.
One place where PRP treatment is available in the Bay Area is at Silicon Valley Hair Institute in Foster City. Our clinic is under the directorship of Dr. Miguel Canales who is a world authority on hair loss treatments, and as such is at the forefront of all the latest technologies.
PRP Uses A Sample Of The Patient’s Own Blood
PRP for hair loss uses a sample of the patient’s own blood which is spun in a centrifuge which has the effect of separating the solid parts of the blood – the platelets – from the liquid. This is then injected into the areas of thinning hair and appears to promote the growth of miniaturized hairs into full grown thick hairs. PRP simply means Platelet-Rich Plasma and contains between three and five times as many platelets as the normal blood circulating in the body. Platelets are the things which commence the process of coagulation of the blood when you cut yourself.
This is very different from the treatment of hair loss via “traditional” medicine. It is a new therapy and has not been fully scientifically evaluated, but it is proving a very exciting development indeed.
In fact, quite how it works is not fully understood, but it is certainly producing results in areas of thinning hair. It does not appear to be suitable for the treatment of completely bald areas, but it is particularly appropriate for women, because they tend to have areas of thinning hair rather than bald patches.
At Silicon Valley Hair Institute, we undertake an initial treatment which then needs to be followed up with further treatments after four and eight weeks. Dr. Canales will then make an assessment of how well the procedure is working and it may need to be followed with a further treatment every three months.
Dr. Canales is happy to provide all patients with a free consultation when he can assess the condition of your scalp and if you would be suitable for PRP. If so, he can undertake the first treatment at the same time.