While often mistakenly thought to be a strictly male issue, hair loss can affect both men and women for many reasons. Women may notice hair loss after giving birth. Stress, disease and medical treatments can also cause thinning hair or bald patches for many people. The most common cause of hair loss, hereditary hair loss, affects around 80 million men and women in the United States. Luckily, most causes of hair loss can be treated.
One of the most effective ways to treat hair loss is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP for hair loss is a three-step medical treatment in which a person’s blood is drawn from another area (such as the arm), processed and injected into the scalp. According to Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, PRP therapy can “help stimulate the activity of the hair follicles and promote new hair growth.”
Safe, reliable and virtually free of side effects, this treatment works wonders in promoting new hair growth. Here’s how it works:
How Does PRP Work?
The human blood contains red and white bloods cells, platelets and plasma. PRP refers to blood plasma that contains a large concentration of platelets. Platelets contain the necessary bioactive proteins and growth factors to promote activity of the hair follicles.
For the PRP for hair loss treatment, a blood sample is obtained from the patient and put into a centrifuge. After about 10 minutes in the centrifuge, the blood separates into three layers: platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma and red blood cells. The platelet-rich plasma is drawn up into a syringe and then injected directly into the scalp at the level of the hair follicles.
Benefits
PRP therapy for hair loss offers several benefits over traditional treatments. These include:
– Minimal risks
– Minimal recovery/downtime
– Process works for essentially anyone experiencing hair loss
– Results can be seen within two to three months
Call us today at (816) 214-5276 to schedule a free consultation or find out if you are a candidate for PRP therapy for hair loss.