How It Works:
PRP therapy for hair loss is a treatment that involves withdrawing a patient’s own blood, processing it – so that only the enriched cells (platelet-rich plasma) remain, and injecting it into the scalp. PRP contains essential proteins that stimulate natural hair growth. Due to the natural variation in quality of platelet-rich plasma, results will vary between individuals. Some patients may require multiple sessions to obtain desired outcomes.
Contraindications:
You should not have PRP treatment done if you have any of the following conditions
- An impaired immune system due to immunosuppressive diseases, HIV, HTV, or immunosuppressive medications
- Skin conditions and diseases including: Facial cancer, existing or uncured. This includes SCC, BCC and melanoma, systemic cancer, and chemotherapy.
- Steroid therapy, dermatological diseases affecting the face (i.e. Porphyria), communicable diseases, blood disorders and platelet abnormalities, anticoagulation therapy (i.e. Warfarin)
- Do not have PRP treatment if you are pregnant.
Before Your Appointment:
- Avoid alcohol for 1-2 days prior to the procedure.
- Discontinue the use of blood thinners 2-3 days before the procedure.
- This includes Aspirin or any other anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Alka-Seltzer, Bufferin, Excedrin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, etc.
- Supplements such as Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Flax Oil, Cod Liver, Essential Fatty Acids (EPA, DHA) also classify as blood thinners and should be discontinued.
- If taking Warfarin, it is recommended to stop taking it 5 days prior to the procedure.
- Please consult with your prescribing physician before discontinuing your blood thinners.
- Shower the morning of your treatment and wash your hair very thoroughly using your regular shampoo.
- Do not apply sprays, gels, or any other styling products to your hair.
- If you wear a hair system, please remove it prior to shampooing and do not wear it before your PRP treatments
- Please refrain from, or minimize, smoking 3 days prior to and 1 day after the treatment.
- Smoking may impact healing and oxygen delivery to the scalp, therefore, your results may be improved the longer you are able to stop smoking before & after the treatment.
- Please do NOT color your hair for at least 1 week before your treatment.
Post-Treatment Instructions
- Do NOT touch, press, rub or manipulate the treated area(s) for at least 8 hours after your treatment.
- Do not wet your hair for at least 3 hours after treatment.
- Do not use any hair products for at least 6 after your treatment.
- Avoid saunas, steam rooms, swimming for 2 days after your treatment.
- Avoid vigorous exercise, sun & heat, exposure for at least 2 days after treatment.
- Increase your fluid intake to at least 8 glasses of water a day, to maximize results.
- You can resume Minoxidil (Formula 82M/F, Rogaine®), hair coloring, and straightening after 3 days.
- Avoid or limit blood thinning agents as mentioned above in your pre-treatment instructions, for 2 weeks after your treatment.
- Remember, our goal is to create inflammation. The listed medications will limit or prevent inflammation, which can diminish your results. It is normal for the treated area to feel tender. This can last up to a week
- It is normal to experience bruising, redness, itching, swelling and/or soreness that may last from 2-5 days following your procedure.
- If you experience any pain or discomfort you may take Tylenol or other Acetaminophen-containing products as directed.
- Contact the office if you notice any signs of infection:
- Pus-like drainage
- Increasing redness to the treated area
- Increased warmth at the treated area
- Fever 100.5 F or greater
- Sever pain that is unresponsive to over-the-counter pain relievers
Results:
- Treatments are typically performed once a month for the first four months, and then a booster session every 3-6 months thereafter, depending on the individual patient’s response and results.
- Following this protocol, most patients begin to see results in as little as 3 months.
- More dramatic and “visual” results can take up to 6-12 months, as time is needed for PRP to stimulate hair follicles, and subsequently activate the hair growth process.
- Standardized photos will be taken before each PRP Hair Restoration treatment, so improvement can be tracked.
- To further improve your results, microneedling treatments to the scalp can be done weekly.
- We offer HAIRMAX products in our offices & prescription strength hair treatments to greatly improve your hair rejuvenation results.
- Please ask us about how to obtain a prescription for HAIRMAX 82M/82F Formulas.
