One growing trend for remedying hair loss is PRP therapy. You may have heard of it, or you could be reluctant to believe the claims of the amazing benefits with little chance of side effects. You might not know if PRP treatment works or if it is even safe because it is not yet widely performed by dermatologists.
We are here to answer all of your questions and put your mind at ease. Let’s talk about the following:
PRP is an acronym for “platelet-rich plasma.” The procedure done to extract and inject this plasma comes in three steps:
The platelet-rich plasma injected into your scalp and follicles which activates growth factors, natural substances in your body that form beneficial collagen—the same ingredient in high-quality anti-aging serums.
If you are worried about the efficacy of PRP for hair, read over these case studies in which PRP has been a success. You will find that, overall, past patients have been very happy with the results and have reported thicker, fuller hair with stronger roots and faster growth.
PRP promotes hair regrowth as opposed to a full hair transplant and has been mostly safe for patients. However, as with any medical or cosmetic procedure, there are some risks that come with pursuing this therapy, so it is best to proceed with caution. Disclose with a dermatologist whether any of these apply to you. If so, other treatments may be more effective.
The lifestyle you choose affects whether or not you will be able to undergo this procedure and see positive results. The lifestyle factors that may disqualify you for treatment are:
Anyone suffering from certain diseases, disorders, or other medical conditions may not be suitable candidates for PRP therapy. These conditions include:
In these cases, other treatments may be more effective for hair regrowth. PRP therapy would not likely produce any positive results because your platelet count is too low. The injections would not trigger the growth factors needed for the successful restoration of hair.
If you take blood thinners as part of your medication, you are not an ideal candidate for the PRP procedure. Again, this is because your platelet count will be lower than needed to produce beneficial effects.
Any medicine or medical procedure has the potential to produce negative side effects to a patient. The most common of these when it comes to PRP are:
Local anesthesia will be applied to numb the skin during the procedure, and some patients are allergic to the ingredients in certain anesthetic substances. If you have had a bad reaction before, be sure to tell your dermatologist prior to the procedure. This will minimize the risk of negative side effects.
The looming question on your mind is probably what the price of this therapy will be. This is a big issue for many, but being informed can help you be prepared when the time comes to undergo treatment.
As you are most likely aware, no medical or cosmetic procedure is inexpensive. There are varying factors that change the price, but we will break it down in the best way we can.
One injection can cost anywhere from $400–$1300. It depends on the quality of materials used and where you go for treatment.
You need three injections every month to a month and a half until the main cycle is complete. Afterward, you will need a new course of treatment every four to six months. This is because you must have regular maintenance injections to ensure that your hair continues to grow without thinning or falling out entirely.
The total cost of each set would likely be in the range of $1,200–$4,000.
It is important to remember to check with your insurance company before pursuing this treatment plan. Some companies will not cover the cost of the procedure because it is considered cosmetic only.
If you discuss the cost with your insurance provider beforehand regarding the hair loss treatment to stimulate hair growth for hair thinning and alopecia, you won’t be blindsided later. By doing this, you will have time to save up before the treatment starts. With PRP for hair loss, less stress yields more hair growth, even without PRP injections.
PRP hair treatment is one of the fastest growing hair restoration treatments currently available on the market and is likely only to become more popular with time.
