Most are familiar with the benefits that platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy can provide for facial rejuvenation and in the treatment of orthopedic injuries, but many people are not aware that it can also play a vital role in hair restoration as well.
At the Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research, we have been studying and treating the many different forms of hair loss for forty years, and for more than a decade we have frequently used platelet rich plasma both during hair transplant surgery and as a supplement to other non-surgical hair restoration procedures for those who suffer from hair loss.
PRP Preserves Hair Follicles for Transplant
Hair transplantation works by transferring healthy hair follicles from areas on the scalp resistant to the genetic processes that cause pattern hair loss into areas of the scalp where the hair has started to thin.
During this process, the hair follicles must spend time “in-transit” before they are placed into the recipient area, and during this period they can be subjected to damaging conditions, such as lack of moisture, insufficient nutrient supply, and variations in temperature.
Keeping these donor follicles in a concentration of platelet rich plasma significantly increases the number of viable follicles that survive the transplant process. With a larger number of viable follicles to work with we can achieve more complete and efficient coverage from a single transplant procedure.
PRP Improves Hair Transplantation Results
After hair transplantation surgery, some patients experience “shock loss” where the follicles that are disturbed by the process enter a dormant telogen state and shed their hair.
Even though this is only a temporary side effect, and the newly transplanted follicles begin to grow new hair normally during their next growth cycle, the delay can often be vexing to patients anxious to see their results.
We have found that Platelet Rich Plasma, injected into the scalp after hair transplantation surgery, accelerates the transition of the hair follicle from the dormant telogen state back to the actively growing anagen state, reducing the necessary recovery time and helping regrow hair faster.
PRP Treats Hair Loss and Promotes Hair Growth
Finally, Platelet Rich Plasma has proven to be an effective stand-alone treatment for both men and women suffering from certain types of hair loss. Common androgenetic alopecia, or genetic pattern baldness, causes the hair follicles to gradually shrink, producing progressively thinner hair strands until they stop producing hair altogether.
Platelet rich plasma stimulates the body’s natural healing factors, causing the shrinking hair follicles to become healthier and larger so that they can produce thicker and fuller hair growth.
Since PRP is derived from the body’s own blood supply, there is virtually no risk of rejection, allergic reaction, or other complications. Still, each patient is unique and this treatment option may not be the right course for everyone, and so your first step should be to seek a consultation with a board certified dermatologist or other expert in hair restoration so that you can discuss your aesthetic goals and medical priorities and determine whether this treatment option is right for you.
The preceding post was written by Dr. Edmond I. Griffin and Dr. Ashley R. Curtis, board-certified dermatologists with The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research. For forty years, the Griffin Center has been recognized as one of the foremost centers for the treatment of hair loss in the United States, and has been on the forefront of research into the latest hair restoration methods and technology.
