How Does PRP Promote Hair Growth?

Whether it's blonde, auburn, brown, black, or gray, our hair plays an important role in our appearance. For many of us, it's also part of our identity—which makes it all the more upsetting when it begins to thin or fall out. The good news is help is available with platelet-rich plasma (also known as PRP).

Dr. Carmelo Plateroti and our expert staff at Plateroti Dermatology in Templeton, California, provide innovative medical and aesthetic dermatology care using a combination of established Western medicine protocols and proven holistic treatments. Whether your concern is skin cancer, an aging appearance, or hair loss, we will partner with you and work together for the best possible outcome.

Importance of hair

Our hair performs several important tasks like keeping our heads warm, protecting us from the sun, and providing a bit of padding. It can also help define us. 

Hair is the only part of the body that can be easily changed. We can style it in different ways and change the length and color. When it starts to thin or fall out psychological repercussions can occur such as feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment, and frustration. Some people may even feel envious of those with a fuller head of hair.

Hair loss

Some amount of hair loss—anywhere from 50 to 100 strands a day—is normal. Given we have about 100,000 hairs on our heads, this typically isn't noticeable.

 However, certain factors can result in more significant hair loss. Causes can include genetics as well as aging, which brings slower hair growth. Medical situations, including scalp infections or psoriasis, hormonal imbalances, and stress on the body such as an illness, childbirth or difficult life event, can also lead to hair loss. Other possible culprits are certain medications and a vitamin deficiency.

PRP treatment

Platelet-rich plasma therapy encourages healing, regeneration, and growth. It can help refresh the skin's appearance and treat injuries to ligaments, tendons, and muscles. 

PRP can also improve hair growth, thickness, and density with specialized growth factors that encourage cell repair and tissue regeneration. In addition to stimulating hair follicles and prolonging the hair cycle's growth phase, these growth factors may also decrease inflammation and enhance blood flow to the scalp.

The PRP procedure begins with the collection of a small amount of blood. This blood goes into a centrifuge that separates out the red blood cells, platelet-poor plasma, and platelet-rich plasma. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the areas of the scalp identified as needing increased hair growth.

Benefits

Unlike hair transplants, treatment with PRP is minimally invasive and requires no downtime for recovery, so you can return to your daily routine right away. Major side effects are rare, and because your own blood is used, there is a much lower risk of an allergic reaction.

If hair loss is affecting the way you see yourself or having a negative impact on your mental health, we can help. Click our request button, or call us at 805-434-2526 today to make an appointment to learn more about PRP therapy.