Are you possibly struggling with hair loss or hair thinning? There is a hair restoration service called Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP. This is suitable for both men and women who struggle with hair loss. It is a state of the art, non-surgical, totally natural alternative medical procedure. This is only a three step process in which we will discuss in further detail later on in this article.
PRP therapy injections trigger natural hair growth and maintain it by increasing blood supply to the hair follicle and increasing the thickness of the hair shaft. This treatment has been around since the 1980’s and has been used for problems such as healing injured tendons, ligaments and muscles.
The Process
As mentioned before this therapy is a three step process that requires these treatments 4-6 weeks apart. After you’ve completed treatment, you’ll need maintenance every 4-6 months.
Step 1
Your blood is drawn, typically in the arm by a phlebotomist and is put into a centrifuge. This centrifuge machine in the medical lab will spin the tubes of blood rapidly to separate the fluids of different densities.
Step 2
After about a 10 minute spin in the centrifuge, your blood will have seperated into 3 layers: Platelet-poor plasma, Platelet-rich plasma, and red blood cells.
Step 3
The platelet-rich plasma is drawn up into a syringe and then injected into areas of the scalp that need increased hair growth.
PRP Side Effects
Because you are injecting your own blood into your scalp, you aren’t at risk for getting communicable diseases. There hasn’t been enough research to prove this therapy is effective. Still, any therapy involving injections always carries a risk of side effects. These could include: injury to blood vessels or nerves, infection, calcification at the injection points, and scar tissue.
Make sure to discuss anything you may have in your initial consultation with your doctor. Many will recommend against this treatment if you are on blood thinners, a heavy smoker, have a history of alcohol or drug use, diagnosed with cancer, or diagnosed with any other chronic diseases. There are many other reasons why you might be rejected for PRP treatment, so talk with your doctor to determine if this is right for you.
How Much Does PRP Cost?
The price for PRP treatment is typically between $1,500-$3,500 for the initial three treatments with one injection at $400 or more. Pricing does depend on a number of factors including your geographic location, quality of equipment, and the addition of nutritive components. Many insurance companies and plans consider this treatment cosmetic and won’t cover the cost. Contact your insurance company to see if they will cover it for you, otherwise, talk with your doctor about payment options.
Is This Right For You?
If you are concerned about your hair loss or hair thinning, talk with your doctor to see what treatment options are best for you. They may recommend PRP therapy if it is the right fit for you.
