Physical Therapy Baltimore, MD

Get Your Hair Back With PRP Treatment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment is a form of therapy used for many ailments and conditions, including hair loss. There is plasma in our blood that provides factors to boost healing, increase levels of stem cells and collagen, among other benefits. Many people have questions about PRP therapy before getting started, and some of the most common inquiries have been answered below.

Who benefits the most from PRP treatment?

PRP treatments can benefit more people than you may have thought. Men and women alike can lose hair because of different factors. Those who are dealing with androgenic alopecia or other kinds of alopecia may suffer from lack of self-esteem and find it hard to go about their day as confidently as they wish. Millions of people have male or female pattern baldness, which is a hereditary condition. Those suffering from hair loss may also have high levels of stress in their daily lives, so reducing stressors can optimize the benefits of PRP therapy. If you have thinning hair or baldness in certain areas of your scalp, it is worth looking into whether you are a candidate for PRP hair loss treatment.

What should patients know about before and after care?

There are certain things that you should and should not do when getting PRP treatment for hair loss. Be sure to shampoo and condition the hair prior to the appointment, so the hair is free from dirt and grease particles. This provides a scalp environment that is sterile and ready for PRP administration. Be sure to have a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water, so you are less likely to have fainting, dizziness, or nausea. Keep in mind that blood does have to be drawn in order to harvest the PRP solution, so if you are dehydrated and have an empty stomach, you may be prone to queasiness. Other procedure tips that your PRP hair loss doctor may suggest include:

  • Refrain from using hair products such as gels and hairspray for a few days
  • Do not drink or smoke excessively beforehand
  • Washing your hair on a normal schedule, that is, unless the injection site has become irritated or sore
  • Do not color or perm your hair at minimum of 72 hours post treatment, as the chemicals may irritate the injection site and can result in complications

How is PRP treatment performed?

PRP treatments don’t take very long, and you can expect to be at the session for about an hour or less. The PRP doctor will first do an examination and ask you questions about your medical background, just to confirm that PRP therapy is the right course of care for you. A blood sample will be drawn, which is then inserted into a centrifuge machine that spins rapidly for several minutes. From this process, the plasma-rich platelets will be separated from the rest of the blood sample and then used as the injection solution, to be applied to the area of the scalp that is in need of hair growth. A local anesthetic is used so that the patient remains comfortable and relaxed during the therapy session.

Those who are experiencing hair thinning or baldness can get their confidence back through platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, a highly preferred non-invasive and long-lasting form of hair loss treatment. Contact a PRP hair loss doctor for help today!