Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use your own blood to promote tissue growth. They have long been used in orthopedic conditions and wound healing, but are now also becoming popular aesthetic treatments such as hair restoration.
Platelets are essential components of the human immune system that promote healing. Not only that, but they contain numerous growth factors and stem cells which encourage new cell and tissue growth and regeneration.
The Platelets
Platelets are a type of blood cell renowned for their clotting capabilities. They play an essential role in the body’s circulation and have been utilized extensively across various medical fields to aid with wound healing and tissue regeneration or growth.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a minimally invasive procedure that can help restore your hair. The process involves taking a sample of blood, rapidly spinning it in a centrifuge, and extracting the platelets to create a concentrated solution which is then injected into the damaged area of your scalp.
Platelets are the tiniest of three major types of blood cells, only 20% the diameter of red blood cells. They make up only a tiny fraction of blood volume and lack a nucleus, meaning they cannot divide or form new cells.
When a blood vessel is damaged, it sends out signals that instruct platelets to move toward the site of injury. As platelets respond, they alter their shape and extend long filaments that connect to either the broken vessel wall or other nearby platelets.
Platelets function to plug holes in walls, creating a seal that prevents bleeding or leakage of blood or other fluids through vessel damage. This process is known as hemostasis and it’s the primary role of platelets.
They possess a range of other functions that may not be related to hemostasis or thrombosis. For instance, they play an integral role in various immune responses unconnected to either hemostasis or thrombosis.
Platelets possess the unique capacity to secrete microparticles containing the genetic material, enzymes, proteins, and small molecules. These particles can alter the functioning of other cells within a blood vessel by controlling nutrient flow.
Platelets can release ligands that direct more platelets toward an injured area of skin or other tissue. As more platelets arrive at the site, they produce additional ligands to further increase their response.
The Growth Factors
Platelets are often thought of as hemostatic agents, but they also contain proteins that encourage tissue growth and repair. When injected into injured tissue, platelets can expedite healing, reduce recovery time, reduce pain, and even promote hair regrowth.
They also promote skin healing, having been found to speed up the recovery time from micro-needling and chemical peels – which may be necessary after someone has suffered from age-related discoloration or other signs of aging.
Though the exact mechanism behind injections is still being researched, studies have demonstrated that growth factors can stimulate the body’s own wound healing processes, leading to a faster recovery time for those with thinning hair as they help prevent further loss and promote new hair follicle development. This type of therapy is especially helpful for thinning hair patients since it prevents further hair thinning and encourages new hair follicle formation.
To maximize the growth of these newly formed follicles, it is essential that a patient’s blood contains high concentrations of specific growth factors. Usually, this involves drawing some blood from the patient’s arm and centrifuging it to separate platelets from red blood cells, white blood cells, and other fluids.
Plasma is drawn into a syringe and injected into the area that needs more growth. This procedure usually consists of three treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
After treatment is complete, most people can resume normal activities without any restrictions. This is because injections are minimally invasive and rarely cause any significant discomfort.
Some side effects, such as bruising and swelling, may occur; however, these are easily controlled with Tylenol or ice. It’s recommended that you avoid vigorous exercise on the day of a Growth Factors treatment.
Growth factors are a great option for men and women looking to treat thinning hair non-invasively, though they work best when used over multiple treatments. It is essential that you schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss your goals and how Growth Factors could assist in reaching them.
The Stem Cells
Stem cells in the scalp are essential for regenerative hair growth. They can be found both within follicles and the telogen (quiescent) zone. These progenitor cells produce growth factors that encourage new hair follicle formation.
Your body contains an abundance of stem cells, capable of becoming any type of cell. These cells can differentiate and form various tissues like skin, muscle, or bones.
Stem cells are essential in tissue regeneration when damaged or destroyed. They’re particularly valuable when it comes to hair restoration since they stimulate hair follicle growth in areas of thinning hair.
Stem cells can be harvested from the layer of fat beneath your skin through a minimally invasive procedure that requires no surgery. They then can be injected into balding areas on the scalp to promote new hair growth.
PRP therapy is a painless procedure that can be completed in your doctor’s office with little downtime. During the treatment, a small sample of blood is drawn and spun at high speed in a centrifuge machine to separate platelets from other components in your blood.
Platelets present in plasma can bind with fibrin, a protein present in your blood, and release growth factors that stimulate hair regrowth. This procedure may need to be repeated several times for the best results.
Depending on your goals, PRP and stem cell hair regrowth can be visible within two to four months. This treatment can be used independently or combined with FUT or FUE hair restoration surgery for even better outcomes.
If you are dealing with an abundance of hair loss and would like to stop the cycle of thinning and balding, there are various advanced treatments that can help you achieve the look and confidence you desire. One popular option is PRP hair restoration, which utilizes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in order to stimulate new hair growth and strengthen existing follicles.
The Tissue Regeneration
Platelets are one of the four primary components of blood (the other three being red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma). Platelets help promote cell growth and regeneration while stopping bleeding to promote healing in wounds. They also function to clot tissues when necessary for tissue repair.
These contain numerous growth factors that stimulate stem cells and help with hair follicle restoration and growth. These include platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and connective tissue growth factor.
PRP injections to the scalp activate a natural regenerative process to promote thick, healthy hair and minimize shedding. Furthermore, PRP strengthens existing follicles while increasing blood flow to the affected area – an essential step for new hair growth.
A PRP treatment involves drawing blood from a patient and spinning it in a machine to separate platelets from red blood cells. Once isolated, these platelets are then injected into areas of thinning or loss on the scalp.
This non-surgical procedure takes 30 minutes and uses topical anesthetic for your comfort.
Once platelets are injected into the scalp, they release them and activate dermal papilla cells – the main players in hair regrowth and responsible for stimulating its cycle.
Another way PRP aids regrowth is by stimulating the natural wound-healing process. This can expedite healing to promote faster tissue repair, and reduce bruising and swelling associated with wounds.
Hair loss can be especially problematic when the blood supply to the follicles is compromised, leading to dandruff and hair fall.
PRP contains platelet-derived growth factor, transdifferential growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial cell growth factor, epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor that stimulate new hair growth and prevent dandruff from returning. These growth factors help stimulate new hair growth while inhibiting dandruff from returning.
These growth factors also encourage the formation of a new scab to stop bleeding and facilitate healing. They promote the production of new skin cells, such as collagen fibers and fibroblasts, for thicker, healthier skin that may give you added confidence.
In conclusion, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a promising non-surgical treatment option for hair restoration that has gained significant attention in the medical community. It involves using the patient’s blood plasma, which contains a high concentration of growth factors, to stimulate hair growth by promoting natural healing processes. While more research is needed to understand the effectiveness of PRP therapy fully, initial studies show promising results in hair restoration. If you’re considering PRP for hair restoration, it’s important to consult with a qualified medical professional to determine if this treatment is right for you. As a resident of Roswell, GA, you can reach out to local clinics that offer PRP therapy for hair restoration to learn more about the treatment and its potential benefits.
