PRP for Hair Growth
Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Newport Beach
PRP, short for platelet-rich plasma, is a form of hair loss treatment that involves isolating healing components in your blood and reinjecting them into areas of your scalp. These components consist of growth factors and other proteins that stimulate hair growth and support the health of hair follicles. Since the treatment incorporates your own tissues in a minimally invasive manner, there is almost no risk of rejection. (1)
Unlike hair transplantation, this treatment will not leave behind scars, and the procedure itself only takes a few minutes. Men and women alike can expect to see stronger and fuller hair growth within a few weeks, restoring confidence and overall well-being in those who have suffered the effects of hair loss. It is considered a type of regenerative medicine, a field of study that includes treatments that provoke your body’s healing processes.
With years of experience in the fields of anti-aging and regenerative medicine, Dr. Christopher Asandra has helped numerous patients achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results through PRP injections. If you’re seeking a non-surgical solution to hair restoration and scalp rejuvenation, contact our offices in Newport Beach and Beverly Hills at (424) 542-8881.
You can also fill out our contact form detailing your specific concerns, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible. Rediscover and embrace a fuller, healthier head of hair with the power of PRP therapy.
Contents
About Platelet-Rich Plasma
PRP is one of the latest advancements in the world of hair loss treatment. Your AsandraMD professional will first prepare your sample of blood using a centrifuge to separate it into blood cells and a substance called plasma.
A large percentage of plasma is made of water, but there are other critical molecules such as platelet proteins that support wound healing, electrolytes that help maintain hydration, and other molecules that support immune functions. Research has found that PRP contains over 1,100 proteins with “bioactive” abilities, meaning that they serve a biological function in some way. Specifically, proteins called growth factors are helpful in triggering cell proliferation and the rebuilding of tissues. (2) For example, the platelet-derived growth factor is a vital growth factor that helps rebuild blood vessels that are important for hair follicle health.
Other growth factors that have been found to be helpful in stimulating more hair growth include:
- Endothelial growth factor
- Epidermal growth factor
- Fibroblast growth factor-2
- Vascular endothelial growth factor
- Transforming growth factor β (3)
These growth factors can extend the anagen phase of the hair cycle, which is when the shafts of a hair follicle are actively growing. They can also stimulate and support angiogenesis, or new blood vessel formation.
Other Benefits of PRP Injections
The professionals at AsandraMD understand the full scope of PRP’s capabilities and versatility as a concentrate with over 1,000 bioactive proteins. PRP has been used in areas other than the scalp for beneficial treatment as well. (4)
Benefits of PRP for Hair Loss
Our procedure utilizes your own PRP, a substance that is available in your own body. Other procedures at different clinics may require the introduction of other products into your scalp, which can cause irritation.
PRP for hair growth is also a great touch-up after a hair transplant. Patients who have had hair transplants can use PRP to stimulate additional growth in their treatment area.
It is effective for both men and women with androgenic alopecia, or male/female patterned baldness.
To add, PRP is much less invasive than a FUE or FUT hair transplant. For a hair transplant, patients must sit for long hours while PRP takes a fraction of the time. At AsandraMD, we will make sure you receive the best treatment possible. Your professional will closely analyze your PRP to evaluate its quality prior to administration.
Candidates
This type of hair restoration is suitable for patients who exhibit gradual, patterned hair loss. It is most effective for those with androgenic alopecia who have not experienced full hair loss. PRP will only restore hair follicles that are somewhat dormant but still alive and capable of producing hair. Prospective patients should be in good overall health without any identified nutritional deficiencies, thyroid issues, or other conditions that could be the root cause of their hair loss.
Personal Consultation
During your consultation with your designated AsandraMD professional, you will have the opportunity to discuss your medical history, your experience thus far with hair loss, and any treatments you have tried already. They will take extra care to evaluate whether or not your hair loss is the cause of another health problem. Finally, they will explain the nature of PRP, how it works, and the results you can expect depending on your individual case.
If you are ready to take the next step in your hair restoration journey, call the location nearest to you in Beverly Hills or Newport Beach at (424) 542-8881.
We also have a convenient online form where you can request your consultation today.
Preparation
You should stop smoking or drinking alcohol a few days before your scheduled PRP treatment to increase the effectiveness of the growth factors. On the day of the procedure, you should make sure to drink an adequate amount of water in order to dilate your blood vessels so that the blood draw is easier. Staying hydrated can also prevent you from becoming light-headed during the procedure. The preparation of your blood sample will take about 10 minutes.
Procedure Steps
Before your injections take place, your professional will cleanse your scalp with alcohol and administer local anesthesia. Some patients do well with just topical numbing cream, so this aspect of the procedure is up to you. Your professional will then inject a series of PRP injections in and around the areas of hair thinning which will take only a few minutes.
The entire procedure from the blood draw to the last injection takes roughly 1 hour. After this, they will give you more detailed instructions on how to care for the treatment area.
Recovery and Results
After your first PRP session, it’s possible that your scalp will feel sore and tender. Minor swelling for a few days is a completely normal reaction. There is no downtime, and you will be able to go back to your routine right away. However, you should take extra care to avoid getting your scalp wet or washing your hair on the same day.
In the first few days following the procedure, you should avoid sweating and sun exposure since this can interfere with the activation of growth factors. Finally, you should avoid alcohol anti-inflammatories, and blood-thinning medications that can also impede effectiveness.
The results of PRP will vary from person to person and will depend on the extent of your current hair loss. We recommend waiting at least 1 month before considering another session of PRP.
You should expect to see the most significant results after 3 to 6 sessions. Within the second or third session, you may begin to see noticeable changes in your hair density.
Cost of PRP for Hair Loss in Beverly Hills
The total cost of your PRP treatments will depend on how many sessions you undergo and the results you would like to attain. Your AsandraMD professional will work with you to determine a treatment plan that is in alignment with your goals and come up with a cost estimate. At our practices near Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, we understand that each of our patients has unique needs and a different experience with hair loss.
Get in contact with a member of our staff to schedule your consultation online today. You may also call us at (424) 542-8881. We are here to offer compassionate help for this highly personal issue!
FAQ
Do PRP injections for hair restoration hurt?
While some patients can tolerate PRP injections with topical anesthesia, most find that local anesthesia is the best option for optimal comfort. The procedure itself should not hurt, but the recovery can be a little uncomfortable. Most patients feel minor soreness and swelling for a few days.
Does PRP for hair restoration produce permanent results?
Research has shown that many patients maintain hair thickness up to 1 year after the final session. Patients can get “touch-up” sessions every few months to sustain this new growth.
Does PRP for hair restoration work if you have a blood-clotting disorder?
PRP may or may not work as well if you have a blood disorder- it depends on the nature of the disorder. Since the treatment relies on the proteins in your blood plasma, if you don’t have an adequate amount, you may not benefit from PRP. Those with a disorder called thrombocytopenia, characterized by low platelet levels, are not suitable candidates for this treatment.
References
- Stevens J, Khetarpal S. Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: A review of the literature and proposed treatment protocol. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. 2018;5(1):46-51. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2018.08.004
- Pavlovic V, Ciric M, Jovanovic V, Stojanovic P. Platelet Rich Plasma: a short overview of certain bioactive components. Open Medicine. 2016;11(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1515/med-2016-0048
- Paichitrojjana A, Paichitrojjana A. Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2022;Volume 16:635-645. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s356858
- Mlynarek RA, Kuhn AW, Bedi A. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Orthopedic Sports Medicine. American Journal of Orthopedics (Belle Mead, NJ). 2016;45(5):290-326. Accessed September 6, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27552452/