Few of the changes that occur with age are more upsetting for men and women alike than hair loss. While not everyone will experience the loss of hair as they get older, those who do are often self-conscious about their appearance.
If you feel compelled to wear a hat or other accessory to hide thinning or lost hair, Burgess Plastic Surgery may be able to help with platelet-rich plasma, or PRP treatment.
Male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness are both expressions of the same medical condition: androgenetic alopecia. This condition occurs due to both genetics and hormone changes that progress as patients get older. This form of hair loss is more common among men than women, although women may also experience the condition. Other possible causes of hair loss in men and women include:
- Vitamin, mineral, and protein deficiencies
- Medications such as blood thinners, antidepressants, and drugs for combating high cholesterol
- Stress
- Hairstyles that create too much tension on the follicles, such as ponytails, buns, and cornrows
- A result of certain infections, thyroid, and autoimmune diseases
Additional hair loss causes specific to women include the use of some oral contraceptives, as well as pregnancy. If you have any specific concerns about these possible causes, please meet with your primary care provider.
Burgess Plastic Surgery started using PRP in our practice for other treatments. PRP treatments involve taking a small sample of your blood, purifying it so the platelets are concentrated, and then injecting it to potentially boost the body’s natural rejuvenation process. Providers at Burgess Plastic Surgery also perform PRP therapy in tandem with microneedling treatment for patients who want to improve their complexion, minimize wrinkles, reduce skin laxity, and more.
Hair restoration with PRP is a similar process. A blood sample will be drawn, put through a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma, and then your provider will perform targeted injections in the scalp. The PRP potentially stimulates the follicles in the scalp, which can cause hair to grow back thicker and fuller.
Most patients begin to see results after about three treatment sessions with four to six weeks in between appointments.
As your hair gets fuller, you likely will not need appointments as frequently. However, PRP does not cure hair loss, so you may need re-treatment two or more times a year to maintain the results.
Post treatment, we will prescribe a topical Progesterone medication called Minoxidil. The use of Minoxidil can help promote hair growth and provide maintenance in between injections. The medication can be used nightly or every other night and applied directly to area of hair loss. Further instructions for Minoxidil will be provided at your first PRP treatment.
Patients who see the best results with PRP hair therapy are men and women with androgenetic alopecia. Areas where the hair is thinning or receding present suitable locations for scalp injections. You should be in overall good health before undergoing PRP treatment. In addition, you should not be on anticoagulants or suffer from a bleeding disorder. You should also avoid smoking and excess alcohol consumption.
PRP treatments are considered off-label and not approved by the FDA.
