PRP Hair Restoration: Everything You Need to Know

What is PRP Hair Restoration?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Hair restoration is a three-step treatment used to initiate hair growth. These injections effectively trigger hair follicles to regrow your hair without the need for an invasive procedure or surgery. PRP injections enhance natural hair growth and the hair shaft's thickness by increasing the blood supply to the follicle.

The procedure involves using your own blood, typically drawn from your arm, which is processed and then injected into your scalp. The results of PRP hair restoration are most noticeable after several months. However, they are not permanent, so patients may need additional treatments.

How does it work?

PRP hair restoration is a three-step process, typically requiring three treatments that are completed four to six weeks apart. 

Step 1

When you arrive at the appointment, your blood will be drawn and put in a centrifuge. This machine spins rapidly to separate fluids of different densities. The amount varies between 15 mL and 50 mL. 

Step 2

After about 10 minutes, your blood will separate into three layers:

• Platelet-rich plasma
• Platelet-poor plasma
• Red blood cells

Step 3

The platelets are extracted from the centrifuge with a syringe. The platelet-rich plasma will be injected into multiple locations on your scalp. Patients typically need 40 to 50 injections during each session.

The Benefits of PRP Hair Restoration

There are a variety of benefits to PRP hair restoration. Unlike other hair growth treatments, PRP can be performed on any part of the body where you want to regrow hair. There is also no recovery afterward, so you can go back to your everyday life immediately after the treatment. 

PRP is also natural, stimulating hair growth in your natural hair follicle pattern. In contrast, some hair growth therapies might not match your natural hair growth pattern, so you can end up with a less-than-desirable, unnatural appearance.

PRP treatment also can strengthen the hair against thinning and cause it to appear thicker with the resulting increase in the diameter of your existing hair.

Who should get PRP Hair Restoration?

While PRP treatment is often used to address male pattern baldness, anyone who wants to stimulate hair growth is a great candidate for PRP therapy.

How many treatments do you need?

PRP treatments aren’t a cure for conditions that cause hair loss, so you will need multiple treatments to maintain the results. The amount of treatments you need is dependent on your hair condition and the results of your first treatment. The esthetician will likely suggest additional PRP injections every 3 to 6 months once your hair loss is under control. 

PRP Risks and Possible Side Effects

PRP Hair Restoration is a low-risk treatment and typically doesn’t cause significant side effects. After the procedure, you might experience some bruising and soreness at the injection site. However, because PRP injections are created with your own plasma, there is a significantly lower risk of an allergic reaction than other injectable medications. 

Less common side effects may include minor bleeding, inflection, nerve or tissue damage, swelling, and itching.