PRP (platelet rich plasma) is an exciting and relatively new hair loss treatment, one that can be used as a standalone therapy or to help heal transplant areas. This powerful platelet concentrate contains PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), as well as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)–two powerful forms of bioactive protein that can help people re-grow their hair.

Your blood is primarily made up of red and white blood cell platelets, and plasma. The platelets start the blood’s coagulation process, and is the basis for PRP’s effectiveness as a hair loss treatment.

How is PRP Administered?

PRP treatments are typically administered via an injection by a physician or specialist–usually the process doesn’t take longer than 30-45 minutes. You might experience mild discomfort, but for patients who need it, local anesthetic is usually an option prior to a PRP injection.

PRP treatment is administered gradually, in 4 to 6-week intervals (in some cases even longer). This allows enough time to see how your body is responding to the treatment. Some patients choose to undergo biannual follow-up treatments to encourage continued progress.

The Benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma

Because platelets initiate coagulation, they are instrumental in the body’s healing and growth processes. By increasing the platelets in the transplant or treatment area, PRP can accelerate these processes, making it useful in cosmetic as well as medical treatments.

Finding the Right PRP Specialist

Because PRP is still a new treatment, it’s important to choose the right PRP specialist who can tailor a treatment plan to your individual needs, and one who has the knowledge for the proper depth and quantity of PRP.

Is PRP Effective?

Even though PRP is new, it has already been shown to be effective in common baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Platelet-rich plasma has been shown to accelerate the healing process in tissues and wounds and its use as a follicle stimulant is still being researched; it’s understandably a big cause for excitement in the hair-loss treatment community and will continue to grow and evolve into the future.