Have you noticed an increase in hair fallout when brushing or showering? Do you have areas on your scalp where hair is sparse or thinning? These are common signs of hair loss. Hair loss is common in men and women of all ages, leading countless people to seek an effective solution.
When it comes to hair loss treatment, there are endless over-the-counter products including shampoos, serums, supplements, and more. While all of these may improve your hair’s overall health, they often fail to stimulate new growth. A more effective treatment may be PRP injections.
Columbia Laser Skin Center in The Dalles, OR, offers PRP hair restoration treatment for clients struggling with hair loss. Continue reading to learn more about how PRP hair restoration works.
What Is PRP Hair Restoration?
PRP hair restoration is a cosmetic treatment that aims to resolve thinning hair or hair loss. PRP hair restoration uses the patient’s own platelet-rich plasma to stimulate new hair growth in areas where balding or thinning has occurred.
The treatment is minimally invasive and non-surgical, meaning there is no need for general anesthesia. No incisions or sutures are involved with this procedure.
Causes of Hair Loss
Hair loss is one of the most common aesthetic concerns among men and women. Thinning hair or increased fallout can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including the following:
- Aging
- Genetics
- Stress
- Medication (beta-blockers, antidepressants, Accutane, or chemotherapy drugs)
- Medical conditions (thyroid disorders, hormone imbalances, diabetes, or lupus)
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Tight hairstyles
- Overuse of hair styling products
Knowing the underlying cause of your hair loss will help determine the best course of treatment. PRP hair restoration may not work for every patient, depending on the cause of their hair loss. Those who have thinning hair due to aging or genetics may see better results than those who have hair loss from health concerns or medication use.
How Is PRP Hair Restoration Performed?
To perform PRP hair restoration, platelet-rich plasma must be harvested from the patient’s own blood. This is why we begin the treatment with a small blood draw.
Once your blood has been drawn, we spin it down in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from the remainder of the blood. We then remove the plasma and place it in a separate syringe.
After that, we apply a topical numbing cream to the areas of your scalp being treated. Once this has taken effect, we inject the plasma into your scalp using an ultrafine needle.
The entire process can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the number of areas being treated.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP Hair Restoration
Many clients are interested in PRP injections but aren’t sure what to expect when they seek this treatment. To get a better understanding, check out some frequently asked questions about PRP hair restoration below.
Who Is a Candidate for PRP Hair Restoration?
Men or women struggling with hair loss or thinning hair may be good candidates for PRP hair restoration. Your eligibility for PRP injections will depend on the cause and severity of your hair loss.
For example, patients who have hair loss due to certain medical conditions may not see optimal results if the underlying condition is not being treated. If you are on a medication that causes ongoing hair loss, you may not be a candidate for PRP hair restoration unless you can stop taking the medication or switch to a different one.
Should I Have a Consultation Before PRP Treatment?
Prior to scheduling your first PRP hair restoration session, you will need to consult with a cosmetic medicine provider.
We need to evaluate your hair loss and review the potential underlying causes. This is to ensure that PRP injections are a viable solution for your thinning hair. If not, we will be able to guide you toward solutions that may be a better fit.
Once we have confirmed that PRP injections are the best course of treatment to meet your needs, you will be able to schedule your first session.
Are PRP Injections a Surgical Process?
PRP hair restoration is a non-surgical, minimally invasive cosmetic treatment. We apply a topical anesthetic to the treatment area, but you are not put under general anesthesia when receiving PRP injections.
This method of hair restoration is an outpatient procedure. Once your injections are administered, you can return home right away without any monitoring or observance necessary post-treatment.
Do I Need to Have More Than One PRP Session?
To see optimal results, you will need to return for several PRP sessions. While the exact number of injections can vary from person to person, most people see great results with a total of four treatments, each spaced one month apart.
Is PRP Hair Restoration Permanent?
PRP hair restoration will promote all new hair growth that should be sustained for a long time. With that being said, there are certain factors that could cause you to continue losing hair or make new hair loss start. These include medical conditions, certain medications, and extreme stress.
PRP Hair Restoration at Columbia Laser Skin Center
If you are struggling with hair loss or thinning hair, PRP hair restoration could be the right treatment for you. PRP hair restoration uses your body’s own platelet-rich plasma to stimulate new hair growth in areas where hair is sparse.
Columbia Laser Skin Center in The Dalles, OR, provides PRP hair restoration for patients dealing with hair loss. To learn more, contact us online or by phone today.