PRP hair treatment is a new solution for hair loss that is making a big fuss. PRP generally is a term that has been frequently exchanged recently in sport and cosmetic news alike. From athletes seeking the treatment to recover from injuries to aging men and women pursuing the therapy to look younger.
So what is PRP and more specifically PRP hair treatment?
What Is PRP Treatment?
PRP refers to platelet-rich plasma. And it’s a biochemical treatment that has uses in various medical fields. PRP first appeared as a treatment for joints and tendons after injuries or surgeries. Since then, its potential began gradually appearing through studies and researches. The secret to its success and versatility is a healing extract obtained from your own blood. After extracting your blood your doctor will do some science. This will give a sol the solution is then back into your body in target areas. For one, the use of your own cells for remedy eliminates the risk of an immune attack. Secondly, platelet-rich plasma contains a powerful secret ingredient that is the backbone of its success: Growth factors.
Growth factors are proteins that stimulate cell growth, proliferation, and division. They do this by binding to specific receptors found on the membrane of cells. The effects of growth factors show in cellular functions. For example, it speeds healing rates of tissues and increases the production of collagen. Since PRP has a lot of growth factors, its applications are versatile. Skin rejuvenation, healing tendons and muscles, and hair growth.
The process is relatively simple. The technicians will first draw blood from your arm the standard way. Then they will place the blood sample in a centrifuge. This will separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood components. Following this, doctors extract PRP and inject it into target areas.
What Is PRP Hair Treatment?
As we explained above, PRP contains a reservoir of growth factors. These stimulate various functions in many cells. PRP happens to hold all four essential Growth Factors for hair growth.
- Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF)
- Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Functions of PRP Growth Factors
As stated previously, platelet rich plasma hoards a generous supply of a variety of growth factors with myriad functions.
- Somatomedins: Growth factors of this category promote growth by facilitating the production of growth hormones
- Epidermal growth factors: Trigger the growth cycle of epithelial cells.
- Platelet-derived growth factors: Promote the growth and regeneration of muscle and connective tissue.
- Lipoic acid: Boosts the metabolic process of lipids and carbohydrates.
- Erythropoietin: Triggers the production of red blood cells in patients with anemia.
- Granulocyte-GSF and granulocyte-CSF: They function as white-cell production stimulants.
How Do Growth Factors Affect Hair Growth?
- Platelet-derived growth factor
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has a role in forming blood vessels that supply follicular units to maintain their viability. In addition, PDGF induces the anagen (active growth) phase in hair growth and extends its period.
- Insulin-like growth factor
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) affects the cells in multiple aspects. First and foremost, IGF maintains the anagen (active growth) phase in the hair growth cycle. Moreover, it increases the expression of another growth factor called the platelet-derived growth factor.
- Epidermal growth factor
Epidermal growth factors promote functions as a switch that turns on as the anagen phase initiates and turns off as it ends. In other words, the epidermal growth factor regulates the anagen phase of the hair. With the presence of EGF, the anagen phase lasts longer, with its absence the growth phase is shorter.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Vascular endothelial growth factor has the most drastic effect on hair loss. It is a significant factor in mediating hair follicle growth and cycle. Decreased production in VEGF leads to hair loss. In one experiment, the blockage of VEGF leads to the complete inhibition of hair growth.
The physiological roles of these growth factors include diminished hair loss, hair regrowth, increased blood flow to the scalp, and an overall healthy-looking hair.
How Does PRP Hair Treatment Stop Hair Loss?
According to a study published in 2017, the most significant growth factors in hair growth are VEGF and PDGF. The data results in the study indicate that both men and women with androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) had significantly lower levels of VEGF in contrast with healthy men and women. Since it has the most far-reaching effect on hair growth and its cycle, in its absence hair loss continues.
In PRP hair treatment, VEGF is an active element of its composition which will be injected into the scalp initiating growth.
How Effective Is PRP Hair Treatment For Alopecia
PRP is generally safe and effective. However, it could be more effective in certain people over others. The dividing factor here is the number of platelets and the concentration and variety of growth factors in the plasma that varies from one person to another. As a general rule, PRP hair treatment is successful, but the degree of efficiency can vary from one person to another.
Who Is PRP Hair Treatment For
PRP hair treatment has a more extensive array of candidates that hair transplant.
But, no matter how successful or versatile a treatment is, it has its limitations. Except in PRP hair treatment, they are much smaller than alternative therapies. Studies show that treatment significantly increases hair loss in women with androgenic alopecia.
Men, with androgenic alopecia, may or may not gain much from PRP. The deciding factor here is areas of hair loss. If men have small areas of hair loss, they can opt for PRP. But, if the hair loss is in a late stage, the only solution is hair transplant. You can couple hair transplant with PRP sessions for the best results.
Men and Women with weak quality hair growth due to the application of heat or genetics. Men and women with alopecia Areata, can finally treat their hair loss where other treatments failed. You should be in good health, not suffering from blood or liver disorders, diabetes, and skin problems.
Discuss PRP therapy with your physician or dermatologist to get an accurate answer for your special case, or contact us for a free virtual consultation session with a medical specialist. .
Alternative Treatments To PRP
- Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a shampoo that needs to be taken daily to prevent hair loss from androgenic alopecia alone. The shampoo bottle costs around $70 and is sufficient for one month only. So, the average yearly cost would be around $840.
Since PRP uses your own cells and is a non-surgical treatment, it has no side effects.
How Many Sessions Are Necessary For Hair Loss?
The effects of a PRP hair treatment course extends for an entire year. However, one treatment course maybe 1 to 8 sessions depending on your case and area of hair loss. Of course you must note that you should repeat PRP hair treatment annually if you have a chronic hair loss condition.
PRP Treatment Cost
PRP hair treatment in Turkey can cost anywhere between 100 to 250 dollars per session. You might need anywhere between 1 to 8 sessions for optimal results depending on how advanced your bald areas are. In average, most patients need between 3 to 4 sessions per year.
When To Consider PRP Therapy
It would be best if you consider PRP therapy when hair growth with traditional methods such as vitamin supplements and hair care is still unattainable. PRP yields very successful results but to maintain the results, you should couple it with a healthy diet and a hair care routine.
Other Uses of PRP Treatment
Given the functions of PRP growth factors and their diversities, PRP therapy has gained popularity in the medical field.
In cosmetology
Hair loss
When it comes to hair loss treatments, PRP therapy has become a popular option. Although research support is not strong, the available data is in favor of the treatment. A research conducted in 2014 concludes the effectiveness of PRP therapy in treating pattern baldness.
Skin rejuvenation
This is the new go-to treatment for delaying or reversing the biggest enemy of youth, wrinkles. This treatment is minimally invasive and has no time restrictions. Unlike facial fillers, you do not have to begin the treatment in your late 20’s before wrinkles appear. But, PRP therapy can rejuvenate the face, delay and reverse wrinkles. Further more, it is not a myth. In 2011 researches ran a study to find the effecrs of PRP on the skin. The results support the effects of PRP therapy on skin and wrinkles.
Medicine
Tendon Injuries
The recent trend in treating sports related injuries is PRP treatment. The majority of sports related accidents cause damage to the tendons. So, short recovery periods are necessary for athletes in accidents. But, standard treatments cannot do that. Tendons are bands of tissue that connect the muscle to bones.
The demand on shorter healing times is one of the many reasons the medical field is leaning towards PRP. From tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis at the ankle, to jumper’s knee, PRP has the approval of doctors.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis refers to the incident where the protective cartilage between bone joints breaks. PRP therapy according to studies is a more effective treatment to the issue than traditional methods such as the hyaluronic acid, which is also injected in problem areas the same way as PRP. Also, non of these are claims according to a 2015 study, PRP therapy might be the future.
In Short
Unlike other hair loss treatments, PRP therapy is not just for androgenic alopecia, but for various other types of alopecia including alopecia areata. The treatments proved successful in numerous experiments and free of risks. Since it uses your own plasma to trigger hair growth, there are no side reactions that come with the treatment.
If you have any questions, please contact us for a free virtual online consultation session with a medical specialist, who would be more than pleased to address your concerns.