PLATELET RICH PLASMA THERAPY

Platelet rich plasma or often termed as PRP , is concentrated blood plasma (composition of blood) that contains approximately five times the number of platelets found in the normal circulating blood. The function of platelets is to promote healing and aid in the clotting of blood at the site of a wound. Platelets contain growth factors that promote regeneration of the cells in the body.

How does PRP help in treating hair loss?

If the hair follicles or hair roots are healthy , the growth of hair is healthy. Hair follicle survive on the nutrition they get from blood supply. If we introduce platelets by administering PRP in the damaged hair follicles, it amplifies the body’s naturally occurring wound mechanism. PRP can be used to stimulate the growth of hair follicles preventing hair loss.

What are the Indications for PRP – hair?

• Male pattern hair loss or male androgenetic alopecia – especially in the early stages of balding.
• Female pattern hair loss or female androgenetic alopecia – at all stages of hair loss
• Hypotrichosis (fine/reduced hairs) of the eyebrows or beard
• Metabolic causes of hair loss – iron deficiency and medication induced hair
• Telogen effluvium

What are the Indications for PRP – skin?

• Acne scars
• Dark circles around the eyes
• Fine line reduction
• Facial rejuvenation
• Hand rejuvenation
• Non healing ulcer

What are the Contraindication?

• Severe or Abnormal Platelet Count (thrombocytopenia)
• Inability to extract blood safely
• Sepsis – Chronic (or acute) infections – Liver disease
• Anti-coagulation therapy

How is PRP performed?

• Doctor will collect a small quantity of patients own blood and will immediately centrifuge it in order to separate the RBC from the blood and extract the plasma rich in platelets.
• This plasma is then collected in insulin syringes and injected in the scalp or in the skin where required by mesotherapy.
• The session takes approximately 1 hour. The scalp or skin is anesthetized by topical anesthetic cream. So the procedure is not very painful.

What are the post procedure instruction?

• No shower for 8-10 hours after the procedure
• Counseled about slight headache or soreness which will resolve in few hours
• Slight bumps will be visible which will disappear in sometime
• Resume all normal activities the next day

How many sessions are required?

The number of session required are 6-8 or more every 3- 4 weeks apart. But these results are not permanent. They last for 1 – 2 years. A maintenance is required and a repeat of the procedure maybe required after 1 or 2 years.

Are there any side effects?

This procedure has no side effects as patients own blood is being used to inject into the scalp or skin. So no risk of a foreign body reaction or hypersensitivity. Slight swelling or redness will be visible which is transient and will settle in few hours.

Can everyone undergo the treatment?

However , not everyone is a ideal candidate to undergo this procedure. Patients who have an active infection in the scalp, history of a viral infection like shingles, diabetes, clotting disorders or patients who are on blood thinning medications like aspirin and immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporine are not candidate for this procedure. Also if hair follicles is completely lost the procedure is less likely to help patients. Patients may need to opt for hair transplant surgery.