When to Consider PRP Therapy for Hair Loss

Hair loss may not threaten your physical health (only in rare cases does it indicate an underlying issue), but it’s a frustrating problem that can impact your mental and emotional well-being. 

If you’re stressed out because your strands are deserting you, it’s time to call in Dr. Kathleen J. Smith and the team at Dermatology Specialists of Atlanta.

We don’t use weak topicals and wishful thinking — we address hair loss with the best treatments available. One of our most popular is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. 

Here’s everything you should know about this revolutionary approach to an age-old problem. 

The why behind hair loss

Hair loss isn’t unusual. In fact, you shed around 50-100 strands every day. But that’s not usually a big deal because you have new hair growing right behind it. Hair loss happens when you don’t replace the hair that has fallen out.

Hair loss can be temporary or permanent, and it’s typically related to one or more of the following:

• Hormonal changes, especially around pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause
• Thyroid problems
• An imbalance in androgen hormones
• An immune system issue, such as alopecia areata
• Medications and supplements
• Radiation therapy to the head
• Stressful or traumatic events
• Excessive hairstyling 
• Significant weight loss
• Aging
• Poor nutrition

Perhaps the most common cause of hair loss is androgenic alopecia, which is responsible for both male- and female-pattern baldness. This type of hair loss occurs gradually and usually accompanies the aging process. 

The how behind PRP for hair loss

You can use plenty of hair loss creams and supplements to stop the shed, but the results are usually lackluster at best. If you’ve tried everything and are still struggling with hair loss, turn to PRP. 

PRP is a naturally occurring substance found in your blood. The plasma is the liquid part of your blood, and the platelets contain high levels of growth factors that stimulate cell production, rebuild damaged tissues, and aid in blood clotting. 

PRP effectively reboots the production of follicular cells, making them healthier and more robust.

With your hair follicles working at full speed once again, you can grow thicker, stronger, fuller hair faster than before. 

The PRP process

To create PRP, we take a sample of your blood and place it in a centrifuge machine that spins your blood fast enough to separate the plasma and platelets from the rest of your blood components. We extract those two elements, create a concentrated PRP serum, and inject it into your scalp to promote your body’s natural ability to grow hair.

It usually takes several weeks to start seeing a difference in your hair, and you may need a few treatments to get the best results. We often recommend several treatments spaced around four to six weeks apart. 

You can continue to support your hair by receiving maintenance injections every six months and by following these simple hair care strategies:

• Avoiding tugging on your hair when brushing or combing
• Using a wide-toothed comb
• Avoiding harsh hairstyles and heat treatments
• Adjusting medications and supplements, if possible
• Protecting your hair from harsh sunlight
• Quitting smoking

If you’re receiving chemotherapy, ask your doctor about a cooling cap, which can reduce your risk of losing hair during treatment.

The bottom line

If your battle with hair loss has taken over your life and made you feel self-conscious, or if you’ve tried and failed to manage it on your own, PRP therapy may be right for you. Our experienced dermatologist and hair loss specialists evaluate your specific situation and help you decide if PRP is right for you.

When you’re ready to experience life with thicker, fuller hair, call our friendly staff or use our online booking tool to schedule a consultation at our Decatur, Georgia, office.