Millions of men (and women!) are faced with pattern baldness during their lifetime. This somewhat embarrassing issue can negatively affect your self-confidence, self-esteem, and even your quality of life.
If you’ve been struggling with male pattern baldness, it’s likely that you’ve already invested in prescription medications, hair vitamins, laser therapy, and even surgical options. However, there is one relatively new treatment for hair loss that can restore and stimulate hair growth by using your own platelets. Stop male pattern baldness and take back your self-confidence with Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy.
What Is PRP Therapy?
Doctors have long been using Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP Therapy) in the medical world for coagulation, immune cell recruitment, and even to help the healing process of surgical wounds. Additionally, dermatologists have used PRP Therapy for years to rejuvenate the skin and improve the appearance of facial tissue by promoting new cell growth. This type of application utilizes platelets by injecting them into targeted areas of the face to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. This revolutionary treatment is now being used to effectively restore and stimulate hair growth by using a patient’s own platelets.
How PRP Works
A small amount, roughly the same amount that would be taken during a regular blood test, is drawn from your arm. The blood is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and plasma from the other blood components. Platelets secrete more than 300 substances that include many different growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). These growth factors not only help to repair cells, but they also stimulate hair growth and slow down both male and female pattern baldness.
Once the platelets and plasma have been separated from your blood, the Platelet-Rich Plasma is then injected directly into the scalp by using a micro-needle. The injection process is relatively painless with little patient discomfort.
Does It Really Work?
While Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for hair loss is a relatively new treatment, results are showing it is an extremely effective and promising non-surgical option for treating both female and male pattern baldness. While PRP Therapy can greatly improve the appearance and thickness of your hair, it won’t completely reverse hair loss. The best results have been with patients who have thinning hair or who are exhibiting beginning symptoms of both male and female pattern baldness.
How Does PRP Compare To Other Options?
Other treatments for hair loss are often more problematic for many patients faced with pattern baldness. There are currently two FDA-approved medications for treating hair loss: finasteride and minoxidil. However, these drugs must be taken consistently over time, and results have been inconsistent. Each drug also comes with side effects, including a dry or itchy scalp, and sexual dysfunction in men.
Hair transplantation surgery is another option; however, it requires cuts in the scalp, and recovery time is significantly longer. Doctors typically only recommend hair transplantation for those who have dramatic hair loss. Hair transplant surgery also costs substantially more and leaves scars.
What PRP Can’t Do
The success of PRP Therapy comes from selecting the right candidates for the treatment. While PRP Therapy is safe and effective for many patients, you should not consider PRP Therapy if you fall into one of the following groups:
You have an underlying disorder
If you have any underlying disorders, such as thyroid disease or lupus, you should not consider PRP Therapy. These conditions will continue to cause hair loss over time, and PRP Therapy will not effectively help you combat hair loss from either disorder.
You use blood thinners.
If you are on prescription blood thinners, your platelets will not work as effectively for treatment. As a result, the procedure will not be as effective.
Your hair loss isn’t recent.
PRP Therapy works best for patients who have recently been experiencing hair loss. It can be a greater challenge to “wake up” hair follicles that have been dormant for an extended period. Patients who have experienced significant hair loss for more than five years may not be able to achieve their desired results.
When To Talk To Your Doctor
If hair loss is negatively affecting your self-confidence or quality of life, schedule a consultation appointment with Hinsdale Vein & Laser. Together, we can review your medical history to determine if Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy is an excellent fit for you. To learn more about PRP Therapy, contact us today.