Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Grows Hair
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is regularly used in patients to treat joint pain and degeneration and is also used in combination with other aesthetic treatments for the face. Additionally, the growth factors found in PRP promote new hair growth.
New hair growth can be stimulated in any part of the scalp except completely bare areas. When fine strands of hair can be identified, these are activated to thicken and grow with local injections of PRP.
For this procedure, two ounces of blood is drawn and processed in a special centrifuge to obtain PRP. The patient is seated comfortably upright in an exam chair. The area to be treated is cleaned and prepared properly and a soft cotton band is tied around the forehead.
Lidocaine anesthetic solution is injected in multiple spots on the forehead, and the top and back of the scalp. After 10 minutes the PRP solution obtained originally from the patient’s own blood is injected beneath the skin in small amounts in the areas to be treated.
The whole procedure takes only 30-40 minutes. No sedation is needed, and the patient may drive and resume normal activities after the procedure. Patients may begin to see new hair growth after one month. Additional hair growth may continue for up to 6 months, after which treatment may be repeated if desired.
Prior to PRP treatment, women should take finasteride 1 mg daily as a prescription medication to initiate fine hair growth. This will block formation of DHT, which can impair hair growth on the scalp.
Finasteride in men may affect erectile function, and so is not usually prescribed. Instead, men may use topical minoxidil or spironolactone as a prescription prepared as a topical solution.
Patients are instructed to avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen for one week prior to treatment and for one month after. Treatments cannot be given to patients taking strong blood thinners like coumadin.
– Allan Sosin, MD
Institute for Progressive Medicine

4 Hughes 175 Irvine, CA 92618 Tel. (949) 600-5100

www.iprogressivemed.com

For more information or to make an appointment, please call us at (949) 600-5100