PRP stands for platelet rich plasma and it is a therapy, in which blood is taken from your body and put in a machine. The machine separates the platelets, Platelets helps in body’s natural healing mechanism. When a more concentrated level of platelets, which are treated with special ingredients, is injected into the scalp, it helps speed up the healing process and also rejuvenates the cells.

Effect of PRP on hair follicle and scalp

• PRP is the source of various growth and regulatory factors involved in cells growth and differentiation.
• PRP not only induces growth but also improves cell survival.
• Activated PRP stimulates growth and differentiation of stem cells in hair follicle bulge along with activation of mesenchymal cells in dermal papilla. It stimulates various proteins which are responsible for the differentiation of stems cells to hair follicle cells.
• Platelet-derived growth factors improve the blood supply and nourishment to the transplanted grafts.
• PRP helps in tissue repair and regeneration process.
• Activity in dormant hair follicles has been found to be significantly high in the patient treated with PRP.

PRP therapy process

Different doctors have different regimes for administering the PRP therapy. We at our clinic have modified the procedure and call it as Bio Therapy. In the suitable patients, we usually give three treatments one month apart and then maintenance dose 3 to 6 month apart depending on the response of patient.

• Step 1Blood is drawn from your arm vein under aseptic precaution and then put into centrifuge machine which spin the blood. The spinning of machine separates the blood into fluids of various densities.
• Step 2After about 10-20 minutes in the centrifuge, your blood will have separated into in three layers:
  1. platelet-poor plasma
  2. platelet-rich plasma
  3. red blood cells
• Step 3The platelet-rich plasma is drawn up into an insulin syringe and then injected into areas of the scalp that needs increased hair growth.
• Step 4In case you choose the PRP therapy with hair transplant, we dip the plucked hair follicle into the PRP and then implant in to the scalp

Side effects

All over the world PRP therapy believed to be safest procedure for the simple reason as this his own blood only which is used to inject into the scalp. Thus there is no chance of blood related infection. Though rare but still any treatment that involves injections always carries a risk of side effects such as:

• infection at the injected site
• injury to blood vessels
• Injuries to nerves
• There may be allergic reaction to the anaesthesia used in the therapy. If you decide to pursue PRP therapy for hair loss, let your doctor know in advance if you had any allergy to anaesthesia.

Risks of PRP for hair loss

It is always a good idea to share your past medical history with your transplant surgeon, So be sure to report all the medicine you are on before the procedure including any supplements. When you go for your first consultation, many doctors will recommend against PRP for hair loss if you:

You might also be advised against the treatment if you have been diagnosed with:

• platelet dysfunction syndromes
• Cancers of skin
• HIV, Hepatitis B or C infection
• Low platelet counts
• Thyroid disorders
• Any long term illness

In our experience, combining PRP with a hair transplant is a better idea, because it will benefit you in the long run. If you are suffering from hair loss in the non-transplanted area, then PRP would definitely be a good idea.

Reference

• Outcome of Intra-operative Injected Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy During Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant: A Prospective Randomised Study in Forty PatientsSuruchi GargJ Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2016 Jul-Sep; 9(3): 157–164.