About 85 % of the men in America will experience some degree of hair loss by the age of 50, as will 25%  of women. Hair loss affects the way we feel about ourselves and the way we are perceived by others.  Both men and women who suffer from this condition are willing to pursue treatment options to change their situation.

Fortunately, there are several hair loss treatments available that will work for different patients. These include medications; minoxidil, ketoconazole cream and finasteride. The other treatment options include low laser light therapy (LLLT), targeted at the wavelength of red light (650nm), hair transplant therapy and the newest modality PRP hair loss therapy.

What is PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy? 

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy for hair loss treatment is a process where a patient’s own blood is drawn into a syringe, placed into a test tube and spun in a centrifuge This will separate the liquid part of the blood (plasma) form the cells. The plasma is then drawn into a syringe and carefully injected into the patient’s scalp using a very fine needle. PRP hair loss treatment can be done by itself or in conjunction with the other treatment modalities. PRP therapy typically consists of three treatments over a 4–6 week period with maintenance treatments every 4–6 months.

Does PRP work?

PRP hair loss treatment is still at its infancy but its future is promising. There hasn’t been enough research to prove if PRP is an effective hair loss treatment. PRP therapy has been in use since the 1980s. It has been used for treatment of soft tissue injuries such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles. PRP therapy is a simple, safe and cost-effective option for hair loss that should be used as an adjuvant therapy with the other hair loss treatment modalities for both males and females. PRP injection is a simple, cost effective and feasible hair loss treatment option with a high overall patient satisfaction.

Potential adverse effects of PRP

• injury to blood vessels or nerves
• infection
• Calcification and scar tissue formation at the infection sites.

Notify your provider if you : are taking any medications, herbs or dietary supplements.

• Past of current tobacco use.
• Alcohol use as well as drug abuse and misuse. Who should avoid PRP hair loss therapy

Who should avoid PRP hair loss therapy?

• chronic liver disease
• chronic skin disease such as psoriasis, eczema, recurrent skin infections with MRSA.
• blood and solid organ malignancies ( cancer).
• hypofibrinogenemia • platelet dysfunction syndromes
• systemic disorders such as SLE, Scleroderma, uncontrolled diabetes melitus.
• thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).