Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections for hair are a rising solution designed to combat mild-to-moderate forms of thinning and balding in both women and men. By safely and simply using your own blood, the hair restoration specialists at Donaldson Plastic Surgery are able to breathe new life into your follicles, reduce signs of thinning and even restore hair growth in some sections of the scalp.
Before your first PRP injection treatment, we begin with a one-on-one consultation to ensure you are a good candidate for this procedure. Then we draw blood – typically from your arm – and process it through a specialty centrifuge system called the Magellan® Platelet Separator that separates your blood into three parts: platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma & red blood cells. This portion typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
Stacie, our in-house PRP injection specialist, will then load a specialized syringe with your platelet-rich plasma and proceed to inject between 25-35 areas of the scalp that are experiencing hair loss or noticeable thinning. After all of the platelet-rich plasma has been used, we will use the additional platelet-poor plasma that is left over to coat the scalp, providing nearly immediate relief from injection-site discomfort.
While PRP injections are not a miracle cure for hair loss, they can be effectively used to stop thinning by reinvigorating hair follicles that may have lost natural blood supply and increasing the thickness of the hair shaft. If the follicles accept these injections, patients can expect to see small hair growth within a month and progress will increase from that point forward.
Because this is a non-surgical procedure, you can return to your daily life as soon as you leave the office! We suggest you avoid wearing hats or other head coverings for at least 48 hours while the injection sites heal. You can even wash your hair again after a full 24 hours after the treatment. However, you should avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medications after your treatment – the discomfort that you feel means that the injections are doing what they need to do!
The most common side effect we’ve encountered is pain and discomfort at the injection site. Patients may also experience temporary swelling between the forehead and eyebrows. Because we do draw blood, some patients may feel fatigued or weakened for a few hours after the treatment. If you do not follow proper hygiene protocols for your hair, an infection may be possible but is unlikely.
We highly suggest at least three PRP injection sessions – once a month for three months. We do not suggest more than six within a year because there’s an element of diminishing returns with this specific injection and we don’t want to do more than necessary to restore your hair. After your first 12 months, we suggest at least one PRP session a year to keep up with any progress made.
This non-surgical hair restoration treatment is ideal for patients who have recently started to experience thinning hair or loss of hair. It can be difficult to revive long-dormant hair follicles, so it is ideal to address the issue early for more optimal outcomes. Anything beyond a Norwood 3 level of hair loss will likely require a different approach to hair restoration.
This procedure is available to both men and women, along with those 18 years of age or older.
PRP treatments typically cost $1,500 per treatment. However, because we recommended at least three treatments, we offer discounted package pricing.
To maximize the outcomes of PRP injections, we highly suggest patients use Nutrafol – a once-a-day supplement designed to support hair growth, increase follicle strength and reduce shedding. This is natural and clinically proven supplement has almost negligible side effects – in rare cases, some may experience mild nausea. We still ask you to inform your primary care physician before starting Nutrafol.
Stacie is ready to meet with you to determine if you are a candidate for PRP injections for hair! Typically, your first treatment is then scheduled several days later. But, if the PRP device is not being used at the same time as your initial consultation, it may be possible to provide the treatment right then and there!
