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About PRP Platelet Rich Plasma

Benefits

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is concentrated blood plasma which contains approximately three to five times the number of platelets found in normal circulating blood. In addition, it contains platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF) and other bioactive proteins that aid in wound healing and possibly hair growth.

Growth factors in platelet rich plasma (PRP) have been used to facilitate wound healing. Recently, studies have suggested that PRP may also serve as a safe and effective treatment option for male and female pattern hair loss.

Human blood is comprised primarily of red blood cells (RBC), as well as white blood cells (WBC), platelets, and plasma. By initiating the first step of coagulation, platelets are the key to the body’s ability to heal wounds. It is thought that by increasing the platelet count in a wounded area, the body’s healing to that area would be accelerated – explaining the use of PRP in wound healing. Its effects on promoting hair growth make it useful for the medical treatment of hair loss.

How will I know if PRP is a good hair loss treatment for me?

Alternatives

ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant (Follicular Unit Extraction – FUE), Strip Harvesting Hair Transplant (Follicular Unit Transplantation– FUT)

Berman Skin Institute’s providers will consult with you and recommend the treatment which they feel will best resolve your hair loss concerns and provide the most effective hair restoration. It’s possible that your provider will suggest that you combine PRP treatments with additional treatments, such as minoxidil or finasteride. PRP treatments may help to restore thinning or damaged hair follicles, resulting in thicker, healthier hair. Berman Skin Institute providers and their team members are always available to answer questions about hair loss and the potential treatments including platelet rich plasma.

How Does it Work?

PRP Treatments at Berman Skin Institute

At Berman Skin Institute we use the Eclipse PRP® system, a simple approach for collecting a high concentration of platelets without inflammatory red and white blood cells.

The Eclipse Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP system utilizes a patented separator gel technology to isolate the platelets while eliminating the undesirable components such as red blood cells and inflammatory white blood cells.

If PRP hair loss therapy is appropriate, we can begin your treatment at the time of your consultation. We will administer the next two treatments at 4-6-week intervals. You will be asked to return 3 months later. At this visit (6 months from your first treatment) your response will be assessed. If you show improvement, follow-up treatments will be given twice yearly depending upon your progress.

The treatments are administered by a Berman Skin Institute provider and take about a half hour to 45 minutes. For some patients, the injections may be uncomfortable. For those patients, we offer local anesthesia prior to the injections which helps to reduce the discomfort. Patients are monitored photographically to assess the benefits of therapy. We will modify your treatment schedule based on your individual response to therapy. The providers at Berman Skin Institute have the knowledge to know when PRP for hair loss is appropriate and the skill to inject the proper quantity of PRP at just the right depth to achieve the desired result — a skill that cannot be overstated.

For the medical treatment of hair loss, practitioners use PRP to stimulate the growth of follicles, thereby reversing the hair miniaturization seen in androgenetic alopecia (common baldness).

It is conjectured that the introduction of platelets and white blood cells through platelet rich plasma (PRP) can amplify the body’s naturally-occurring wound healing mechanism. It is also proposed that PRP can actually stimulate the stem cells (dermal papilla) of the newly transplanted hair follicles. Other doctors feel that during a hair transplant procedure, the body’s normal production of bioactive growth factors is optimal for healing and subsequent growth and that PRP for hair loss gives no additional benefit.

Who is a Candidate?

Berman Skin Institute’s providers will consult with you and recommend the treatment which they feel will best resolve your hair loss concerns and provide the most effective hair restoration

What Can I expect?

PRP for hair loss is a relatively new treatment with a limited number of scientific studies to show its efficacy. The long-term benefits of PRP treatments for hair loss are not yet known. All patients receiving PRP treatments at Berman Skin Institute are followed closely to determine effectiveness and if other therapeutic modalities may be needed.

Safety & Side Effects

The specific risks and the suitability of these procedures for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual

Recovery Time

None

Does it Hurt?

Most patient require no anesthetic, however some choose to have a small number of lidocaine injections to the treatment area prior to the PRP injections.

Before Treatment Instructions

None

After Treatment Instructions

You may return to your normal activity after the procedure.  This is considered a “lunchtime procedure” without any downtime.

Who Performs the Treatments?

Physicians, Physician Assistants & Nurse Practitioners

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