Hair loss is extremely pervasive — it affects 80 million Americans. And although most people think of it as a male affliction, 50% of women also experience hair loss and struggle with balding patches where they once had lush hair.
It’s no wonder that so many products hit the market each year promising to solve the problem. The hair loss industry makes a bundle off those who are desperate to reclaim their hair and their youth.
At Dermatology Associates of Central NJ in Old Bridge, Freehold, and Union, New Jersey, we approach your thinning hair differently. Our team of professionals understands the power you have within your own body to restore and reverse hair loss. Through nonsurgical platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, we can help you tap into your own resources to trigger a growth response in your hair follicles. Here’s what you need to know about PRP.
PRP therapy is a cutting-edge technology that uses platelets from your own blood to stimulate new cell growth. Your platelets contain growth factors that can help your body heal and generate new growth.
To access your platelets, we draw a small amount of blood from your arm, just as we would during a regular lab test. Then we spin it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the rest of your blood’s components.
What’s left is liquid plasma and platelets. We inject that concentrated serum into the areas of your scalp that are losing hair, typically the hairline around your face and the crown of your head. The platelets go to work generating new cells and promoting the growth of new hair.
Because we use your own blood, there’s no risk of side effects other than the slight possibility of infection at the injection site. You may experience some mild temporary discomfort or soreness.
The PRP procedure is quick — typically under an hour — and you don’t have to worry about recovery time since it’s not surgery. Most patients get a monthly treatment for the first two to three months.
Once new growth is established, we recommend a six-month booster for long-lasting results.
Studies show that the high concentration of platelets in the PRP solution stimulates new hair follicles, causing new hair to grow in places that were thinning before treatment. It may also prolong the hair growth cycle.
Keep in mind that PRP isn’t an instant fix. New hair grows gradually and you can expect to see noticeable results in two to three months.
PRP is considered a safe treatment for most adults, especially those whose thinning hair runs in the family. But as with any medical procedure, it may not be in your best interest to undergo a new therapy if you’re dealing with other issues, such as lupus, thyroid disease, a bleeding disorder, or skin cancer.
We evaluate your medical history and conduct a health evaluation to determine if there are any reasons for you to forego PRP therapy for your thinning hair.
If you’re ready to reverse your thinning hair without surgery, the next step is to call our office or book an appointment online with our expert team to discuss your options.
