Anyone (male or female) suffering from hair loss or balding wants answers! There’s only so much a shampoo or topical treatment can do. Hair transplants are an option if you have enough hair and can afford the surgery. But, what about PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) or stem cell therapy? You may know about PRP from the “Vampire Facial” that Kim Kardashian made popular. PRP can be used for facials, but it’s also being used for hair loss. I interviewed Chicago hair loss expert, Dr. Yates, MD to find our more about this new treatment for thinning hair.
Q. What causes hair loss?
A. There are a variety of factors that are a part of how the hair growth process occurs, and the process is very complex. Factors that contribute to hair growth include:
- Genetics
- Environmental issues
- Hormonal influences
- Proper nutrition
- Health conditions
- Autoimmune disorders (Infections, Iron deficiency, Metabolic issues)
Q. Why would a man or woman choose Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy versus FUE or FUT treatment?
A. (Dr. Yates): PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma is utilized to take advantage of the healing and growth properties found in our bodies’ own platelets. Platelets stimulate growth factors and stem cells to repair cells – in our case, to stimulate the hair follicle that has “miniaturized (the process of balding)” to produce a strong, healthy hair again. This has become a great option to help stabilize hair loss and reverse some of the miniaturization for both male and female patients.
FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction and FUT (follicular unit transplantation – “the strip” method) are both surgical treatments for hair loss. Almost all of hair loss for men is genetic and most of female hair loss is genetic. This means the hair on the top of the scalp (areas that bald) is different than the hair on the back and sides of the scalp (areas that are permanent hair). If one has the genetic predisposition for balding, the hair follicle allows DHT (hormone) to bind to the follicle and cause miniaturization of the hair – over time, that hair turns into a hair you can’t see – – this what creates the thinning/bald appearance. The reason a hair transplant is successful is the permanent hair from the back and sides is moved or transplanted to the top/front where an individual is thinning or bald.
Treatments like PRP can reverse the existing (invisible) hair follicles to produce strong hair again. The combination of something like PRP and a hair transplant are most satisfactory for most men.
Q. Is PRP for people with thinning hair or bald?
A. PRP is most effective if used alone and without a hair transplant if the person still has hair but is in the thinning or miniaturization phases. It also is not a permanent solution and needs to be repeated at least once a year. For men, especially, they will usually need a hair transplant and consider PRP as a hair stabilization treatment. Many of our female patients start with PRP with great results.
Q. How long do results take to show up?
A. Anything that is effective for hair loss usually takes 2-4 months to show the benefits. This is true for PRP. With a hair transplant, only about 10% of the transplanted hair begins to grow at 2 months and final growth and results aren’t realized for a year.
Q. What is the science behind Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy?
A. PRP has been used for decades and FDA approved for some indications. Platelet rich plasma is obtained from the patient’s own blood. The platelets are then concentrated in a medical centrifuge. The concentrated platelets contain huge reservoirs of growth factors which are natural components found in your body. Clinical data shows that growth factors enhance and accelerate your body’s normal healing process responsible for tissue generation and repair. Stem cells are also found in PRP which aids in the cellular regeneration process.
Q. Is the procedure cruelty free (no animals involved in testing or ingredients/process)?
A. Yes, cruelty free – The treatment uses only the patient’s own blood to obtain the platelets. Nothing is added.
Q. Is the procedure painful?
A. No. It requires local anesthesia to numb the scalp prior to PRP injection. Tylenol is adequate afterward.
Q. How can I make the procedure affordable? Is it covered by insurance?
A. PRP is not covered by insurance for hair loss but might be for other indications (orthopedics, wound therapy, etc). Financing is available for PRP in our office. However, for the amount of money people spend on hair products that do not help stabilize and reverse hair loss, the cost is probably about the same for a year.
Q. How can I get in touch with Dr. Yates?
A. Visit us at www.dryateshairscience.com.
Dr. Yates is based in Chicago, Illinois:
565 Lakeview Parkway Suite 108
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
312-361-0654
Hello Jen,
This is yet another helpful article you have shared and it also saved my life I must say because I am facing the hair loss problem suddenly from last 4-5 months, now I know how to stop hair loss without any pain, I thought it would be painful.
Thank you so much for the article, it helped me a lot.
Nice article… will try to get back my hair with this….
nice information thanks for sharing
Very informative post! Losing hair can really affect your mental game. Thanks for sharing this.
I think once your hair starts to thin and you go bald, there is no going back. Hopefully someday there will be some sort of miracle cure or special shampoo. Does PRP injection really work?
I guess this is a good one. So this is a cheaper alternative to the most sought after hair transplants, which also has some complications as well.
As always Jen, nice information… What an insightful post. I never heard of PRP or platelet rich plasma therapy not until now. I feel whichever procedure a patient uses should be determined by his/her condition. Each of these procedures has its advantages and disadvantages.
I’ll have to do a detailed research on the PRP therapy. Nice share Jen…
Is there anything stem cell therapy can’t do? It’s incredible. Shame about where you have to get the stem cells from, though…