Hair loss and thinning are very common problems, affecting a majority of the male population and even a decent percentage of the female population. In some young men, hair thinning can begin as early as the late teens. Although hair loss does not cause any medical issues, it can have a devastating effect on self-esteem and quality of life, particularly among young people. Here at The Aesthetic Medicine & Anti-Aging Clinics of Louisiana, we are proud to offer PRP for hair loss and encourage you to learn more about it.
Treatments
Unfortunately, no satisfactory treatments have been developed for hair loss and thinning, particularly for women. Several oral medications that block androgens can stop hair loss in some men, but they rarely induce hair regrowth and can have troublesome side effects. A topical drug, minoxidil, that is applied to the scalp can induce some limited hair regrowth in both men and women. The only other options are invasive surgical treatments (hair transplants), wigs, and hats. However, more recently, an all-natural and highly effective treatment has been developed to stop hair loss and induce hair regrowth: platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
How Does PRP for Hair Loss Work?
PRP is an all-natural substance isolated from the patient’s own blood. A simple blood sample is taken in a quick in-office procedure, the red and white blood cells are removed and the platelets are concentrated in the plasma. Then, using a tiny needle, the PRP is injected into many different sites on the scalp. Platelets are basically packages of clotting factors, growth factors, and cytokines. In the body, when an injury occurs, platelets burst and release their contents. The clotting factors go to work to stop hemorrhage while the growth factors induce healing of the tissue. The cytokines attract immune cells to fight off infection and also attract stem cells, which go to work to heal and rejuvenate the tissue. The combination of the growth factors and the attracted stem cells are what enable PRP treatments to naturally rejuvenate tissue, including hair follicles.
The Procedure
Each treatment takes less than an hour, including preparation of the PRP and the injection process. The scalp is usually numbed with a cream to ensure patient comfort while receiving the many injections. A typical treatment consists of three rounds of injections at monthly intervals, followed by a yearly maintenance treatment. Results are not seen immediately; since PRP triggers an all-natural process of hair restoration, it takes time for the hair follicles to heal and begin to produce hair. Results are usually noticeable after the third treatment and continue to improve for months after that. Hair loss and thinning cease accompanied by growth of new hair.
Get In Touch with Us for More Information
Hair loss and thinning can be a devastating process. If you are troubled by thinning hair, do not hesitate to make an appointment today for PRP for hair loss with The Aesthetic Medicine & Anti-Aging Clinics of Louisiana. At our offices in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, our caring and dedicated team of professionals will be pleased to explain this option to you in full and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!