All hair grows in a cycle, from growth, to resting, to falling out. Over several months or so, each and every normal hair follicle cycles. Often we see, in ourselves or others, patterns of baldness or other variations from the normal growth cycle.
Recent studies have shown that areas of dormant hair follicles – a common cause of alopecia (bald patches) – might best be reversed by a technique called “PRP” injections.
What is PRP? Platelet Rich Plasma comes from your own blood. We draw your blood into a special glass tube, then spin it down in a centrifuge so the red blood cells separate out from the plasma and platelets. When complete, we see a red layer at the bottom – packed red blood cells – and a slightly cloudy tan colored serum at the top. This top layer is composed of plasma filled with platelets: Platelet Rich Plasma. Our bodies make and use platelets to aid in healing, and they can stimulate growth.
The next step in the process is to inject the PRP, the plasma loaded with these platelets, into the area where the hair follicles are dormant. These recent studies have shown that this process can show dramatic improvement in hair growth, restoring normalcy to the area. And this improvement seems to last longer than many alternative therapies.
How long does all this take? Blood is drawn and centrifuged for 10 minutes, then injections begin. The process often takes much less than an hour.
This process is repeated monthly for an initial regimen of 3 to 4 treatments. Further treatments, possibly more spread out over the next several years, may be recommended.
