Many treatments can be used in the fight against alopecia but, undoubtedly, one of the most innovative is platelet-rich plasma (PRP). More and more people want to learn about its benefits as they seek to improve their hair health. Below, we will provide you with all the necessary information about platelet-rich plasma and the benefits it can offer for hair growth.
Platelet-Rich Plasma or PRP – Benefits and Disadvantages
Specialists usually propose this treatment when hair loss is a consequence of androgenetic alopecia, a common disease that causes the hair follicles to miniaturise until they disappear. Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a relatively new method, it has been shown to promote hair growth.
What is platelet-rich plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma is a treatment that involves drawing the patient’s own blood. The red and white blood cells are separated from the plasma and platelets in order to utilise the growth factors found in the latter. This is achieved by introducing the blood into a closed system and using centrifugation to separate the components. Plasma with a higher proportion of platelets is then injected into the scalp in a fast and painless process to promote the desired hair growth.
To better understand what PRP is and how it works, it is important to know the role that platelets play in our body’s defences.
Platelets are a component of blood, along with red and white blood cells. When a person suffers a cut or wound, the platelets cluster together and go to the site of the bleeding to start the healing process. After much research, it has been proven that removing the concentrated platelets and injecting them into damaged areas of the body can accelerate healing.
Therefore, PRP contains a number of growth factors and proteins that accelerate tissue repair. Because some types of hair loss are caused by damage to hair follicles, researchers initially hypothesised that PRP could help regenerate hair by reversing the process that occurs in androgenetic alopecia. Since then, PRP has become a very effective method for promoting hair growth. By injecting PRP into the scalp for the treatment of alopecia, it is possible to improve the quality and thickness of the hair.
PRP is also used in medicine to treat other types of injuries, such as muscle injuries, and to heal damaged ligaments and tendons in sports.
7 advantages of PRP
PRP is a very promising option for regaining healthy hair. Here are its advantages:
- PRP is a very useful treatment to increase the thickness of the hair shaft, especially recommended after a hair transplant, since it promotes hair growth by shortening the time it takes to grow and improving the quality of the growth. But it’s also very useful when the sole objective is to take care of hair health, without having undergone a transplant.
- It helps promote hair recovery in the postpartum period, a stage in which it is common to suffer from telogen effluvium due to hormonal changes.
- It has no side effects and does not cause allergies. This is because the platelets come from the patient themselves, eliminating the possibility of rejection.
- PRP is a safe procedure that can be applied to people of any age.
- It is effective at regenerating damaged tissues, promoting the creation of new cells. In addition, it stimulates the creation of other compounds such as collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.
- PRP is so beneficial that it is not only used to improve hair health, but also to improve skin quality.
- It is a minimal, painless procedure that can be performed without the need for local anaesthesia.
Disadvantages of PRP
To a minor extent, there are some disadvantages to be taken into account, although the multiple benefits of PRP compensate for them:
- Several sessions are needed throughout the year, making it a lengthy process for some people. But it will certainly be worth it for those who want to improve their hair health.
- If you are undergoing medical treatment that causes hair loss, it is recommended that a hair specialist review the situation before performing a PRP procedure, as it could lose effectiveness.
In conclusion, platelet-rich plasma has a multitude of advantages, while its disadvantages are minimal. Therefore, if you are looking for a hair treatment to improve the health of your hair, this is an excellent option.
What does PRP treatment involve?
To start PRP treatment, a blood sample is taken from the patient. This blood sample is treated in an advanced technology device, which causes platelet disruption and the release of platelet-derived growth factors.
The PRP is then injected at the dermis level, stimulating ageing follicles to rehabilitate. This results in the regrowth of good-quality, resistant hair. This is achieved by increasing the vascularisation in the treated area, promoting the production of collagen and counteracting the negative effect of free radicals. All of this prevents cellular ageing. And at the same time, PRP stimulates the other follicular units to also produce stronger, more resistant hair.
Let’s look at the process step by step:
- Blood is drawn from a vein in the patient’s arm.
- The blood sample is placed in a centrifuge.
- The centrifuge spins the blood, separating its components.
- Platelet-rich plasma is removed with a syringe. This PRP is injected into areas of the scalp to be treated.
When do you start seeing the results?
After one month of treatment, the hair is noticeably thicker and denser. But it is really from the second session that the effects are most visible.
How many sessions are needed?
The number of PRP sessions required always depends on the patient. That’s why it is important to have a personalised evaluation of each case, to determine the starting point, what results can be expected, and how many sessions will be needed. It is essential to assess the degree of alopecia and speed of hair loss to know what level of improvement is possible and define the treatment.
Is it a long-lasting treatment?
It normally requires a session every 3 months, especially during the first year or after a hair transplant, to accelerate the recovery and enhance the results. From there it is advisable to carry out one or two maintenance sessions annually once the hair loss is under control, as the results usually last from 6 to 12 months.
Platelet-rich plasma before and after
Before receiving PRP treatment, patients with alopecia often have weak hair that falls out and looks thin, lacking volume and density.
After several PRP sessions, the following is noticeable:
- The hair gains thickness and can be seen to be denser in the areas being treated.
- The spread of alopecia and hair thinning is reversed.
- Hair can begin to grow back in the hairline.
- Self-confidence gradually increases as these problem areas begin to disappear. We must not forget the importance of hair to our appearance, and therefore to our mental health.
PRP hair opinions
Most patients go to Insparya clinics with great concern for their hair health or the progression of their alopecia. In cases where we apply PRP, satisfaction levels are very high.
Most of the patients highlight the improvement in the quality of their hair and a decrease in hair loss after the sessions. Furthermore, it is a practically painless treatment with quick results:
Where can I have a PRP session in Madrid?
Insparya has several clinics in Spain: Madrid, Marbella and Valencia, where we perform hair treatments such as platelet-rich plasma or hair mesotherapy. We are a clinical group exclusively dedicated to diagnosis, treatment and research in the area of alopecia, with clinics in Portugal and Spain. We have the most advanced technology in the service of hair health. Contact now and book your PRP session.
