PRP Hair Restoration

At La Mesa Medical Hair Restoration, we offer Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy that utilizes the patient’s own blood to spur hair preservation and potentially the reversal of hair miniaturization. When centrifuged properly, the growth factors in the same centrifugal plane of the platelet layer may stimulate the hair follicles to reverse the process of miniaturization and loss. This can lead to thicker, healthier hair growth. PRP treatments have a low to moderate success rate and a low risk for complications. Dr. Ross researched and was the first to discover the benefits of PRP for hair loss 6-7 years before other offices began offering this as a treatment option. While this was the first non-surgical method for hair restoration, he was so thoroughly unimpressed by the transient nature of the benefits that he stopped bothering to study it further. While La Mesa Medical Hair Restoration offers this treatment option to patients that specifically request it, Dr. Ross considers it to be the least beneficial of the four current non-surgical treatment modalities. Dr. Ross has researched and set his sights on a more permanent cure for androgenic alopecia in the form of a non-activating DHT receptor blocker, but so far this has eluded him. This would be the cure for androgenic alopecia if discovered.

What Is PRP Treatment Used For?

PRP hair treatments may be used to slow the progression of male and female pattern baldness and potentially reactivate hair lost due to telogen effluvium, as well as several other forms of alopecia. PRP therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatment modalities. It is often recommended as a complement to surgical hair replacement as a marketing gimmick, but it has literally no effect when used during the surgical procedure due to the wealth of growth factors already drawn into the inflamed area where the surgery has been performed. PRP during a hair restoration surgery is completely worthless and is used by unscrupulous offices to entice patients into quickly committing to surgery or paying more for their procedure.

Because PRP treatment is minimally invasive with few risks, it can be a moderately effective option for those who are unable to undergo a surgical hair restoration procedure. It is also used by those who cannot take medications like finasteride. However, going into PRP treatments, patients should be aware that they will most likely need to continue treatments every three months for the duration of their lives to maintain their hair.

PRP Treatment FAQs

What Happens During a PRP Treatment?

A PRP treatment begins with a blood draw from the patient’s arm. Then, while Dr. Ross numbs and then microneedles the scalp, a technician isolates the platelet rich plasma from the blood in centrifuges. A bit of a misnomer, the platelets aren’t the main factor in benefiting the hair regeneration. It is the layer of growth factors that have a similar molecular weight and layer level equality in the centrifuge that provide the most benefits to the hair. Finally, the platelet-rich plasma is systematically injected into areas of the scalp where thicker hair growth is desired. The entire process typically takes between 30-60 minutes.

How Effective Is PRP Treatment?

PRP treatments were the first successful non-surgical treatments for hair rejuvenation. While they have been proven and effective at slowing down hair loss and potentially revitalizing miniaturized hair, the effects are transient and this is the least beneficial of the current four non-surgical hair loss procedures.

What Is the Recovery Time After PRP Treatments?

There is little to no downtime after a PRP hair growth treatment. Patients can return to work immediately and resume most normal activities within 24 hours. Patients can expect to have some residual redness and sensitivity for a few days following the procedure, but nothing that would alter their normal routine.

It typically takes several months to see visible results of PRP treatments. Noticeable improvement in hair growth and thickness occurs approximately within 3-6 months, and maximum benefits within 1 year.

PRP for a Thicker, Fuller Head of Hair

La Mesa Medical Hair Restoration provides a full spectrum of treatments to stimulate hair growth and slow down hair loss. We also offer FUT and FUE surgical hair restoration that produces natural looking, permanent results. We want to help you achieve the thicker, fuller head of hair you desire. To learn more or to set up a consultation, call us at (619) 832-4885 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you.

PRP Hair Restoration