Are you a woman who is frustrated with thinning, fragile hair that won’t grow? If you are, and you’re looking to medications like Rogaine, expensive vitamin supplements, or even hair transplant surgery, another consideration should be PRP therapy.
While the clinical proof of PRP for hair loss is limited, the treatment has proven to be an effective way of reversing hair loss and stimulating new hair growth. Here’s why PRP therapy is the ultimate treatment for women with thinning hair.
What Is PRP Therapy For Women?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair loss is a three-step medical treatment in which a person’s blood is drawn, processed, and then injected into the scalp. This plasma is naturally found in your blood and can be used to help fight patterned hair loss (or even reverse the effects of aging!) efficiently and effectively.
PRP therapy was initially used for musculoskeletal injuries, where it would be injected into tendons and ligaments to promote healing. The healing powers of platelet-rich plasma are now being utilized in aesthetic dermatology both for fighting patterned hair loss and to halt the signs of aging in the face.
Three Simple Steps To Combat Thinning Hair
PRP therapy is completed in a three-step process. Most PRP therapies require three treatments, 4-6 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments are needed every 4-6 months to maintain results.
Step One: In the first step, we begin by drawing your blood typically from your arm. Depending on your specific treatment, you can expect 2-3 tubes to be drawn for one treatment.
Step Two: The blood is then spun down using a centrifuge, which is a machine that spins rapidly to separate fluids of different densities. The centrifuge will separate the red blood cells into three layers: platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma, and red blood cells. The plasma is where you can find a concentration of platelets. These platelets are a component of the blood that helps it clot, but they also help to stimulate growth and promote healing.
Step Three: The platelet-rich plasma is then drawn up into a syringe and then injected into the affected areas of hair loss to stimulate hair growth. The injections only take 5-10 minutes to complete.
Causes of Patterned Hair Loss For Women
Both men and women can experience hair loss. While patterned hair loss is most common in men, many women also suffer for many reasons. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp, and hereditary hair loss is the most common cause. Hair loss can appear in many different ways, depending on the cause, including:
Hereditary Hair Loss. The most common cause of hair loss is genetic. This type of hair loss typically occurs gradually with aging and develops in predictable patterns.
Hormonal or Medical Hair Loss. A variety of conditions can cause hair loss, including hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, thyroid problems, and other medical conditions.
Stress. A general thinning of hair can occur several months after physical or emotional trauma. This type of hair loss is temporary, and your hair should begin to regrow naturally.
Radiation. Radiation therapy, as a result of cancer and other medical conditions, can cause the hair not to grow back the same as it once was.
Medications and supplements. Certain medicines, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart issues, and high blood pressure, can cause hair loss.
PRP Hair Treatment Costs
The cost of PRP hair treatments can range in price from $750 to $1,000 per session, depending on your location. The price typically ranges from $1,500 – $3,500 for the initial three treatments in a 4-6 week period. Most insurance plans consider PRP for hair loss a cosmetic treatment and do not cover any of the costs of treatment.
Treatment Side Effects
The process of PRP for hair loss sounds much more detailed than it appears during treatment. For the most part, there is no significant risk or side effects with PRP. Most patients are able to receive PRP injections without any numbing, as there is minimal discomfort involved.
If you’re ready to grow thicker, longer hair, contact Hinsdale Vein & Laser to schedule a PRP therapy consultation appointment.