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PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) FOR HAIR RESTORATION
What is PRP Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets. PRP is rich in growth factors, so when PRP is applied to the scalp it can contribute to hair growth.
How is PRP made?
Platelets for PRP are made from the patient's own blood. It is similar to a patient donating his or her blood before a surgical procedure. This is what the process entails.
- First, blood is withdrawn from the patient into tubes.
- Next, the blood is placed in a centrifuge and is spun around.
- The centrifuge process concentrates the red and white blood cells and platelets in different levels in the tubes. Blood plasma that is rich in platelets is taken out and is readied for the application process.
How is PRP used for hair restoration?
After PRP is made, it is injected into the scalp where the hair is thinning, so it can trigger the body's natural healing instincts. Research indicates that PRP promotes hair growth by stimulating hair follicle stem cells. The platelet growth factors induce follicle stem cells to shift from a dormant state to an active state, and that starts the process of hair production.
PRP for hair restoration is best for patients whose hair is starting to thin. Patients who have active infection on the scalp, diabetes, and are on blood thinning medications are not good candidates for PRP.