Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a new non-surgical method of hair loss treatment and hair restoration for women and men. PRP uses your own blood cells in a way that only the enriched cells that contain various types of proteins remain. This hair restoration process is performed in the Washington DC office where the blood is spun in a centrifuge and the PRP is separated and then removed from the rest of the blood.
PRP contains platelets concentrated up to 5x the normal blood value. Dr. Somenek then takes the PRP, also called “liquid gold” because of its color, and injects it throughout the scalp. No medications are required pre or post procedure. PRP contains many growth factors that stimulate hair follicles and can be performed up to every month based on how much hair growth is required.
This is a great solution for both men and women, especially when hair transplant surgery is not an option. PRP hair loss injections can stimulate new hair growth in men who suffer from androgenetic alopecia, otherwise known as male pattern baldness as well as women who suffer from this condition. Dr. Somenek targets the areas of the scalp where the hair is currently thinning. The procedure will take approximately 30 minutes from the time your blood is drawn until the PRP is injected into your scalp.
PRP has been used for its healing properties in other areas of medicine over the years such as into joints and muscle tissues. It is also used as a cosmetic treatment for the face too, where PRP is combined with microneedling. This has been labeled the “Vampire Facelift” because it stimulates collagen and rejuvenates the face non-surgically.
Another factor that makes PRP so popular for patients looking to restore hair is that this is a “natural” way to restore hair. Most medications used to restore hair, such as Propecia, have significant side effects in men (such as erectile dysfunction). These medications are also contraindicated in women, especially those of child-bearing age. This treatment can be used in tandem with hair transplantation to help accelerate hair growth. Doctors perform PRP hair loss treatments, on average, every 4 to 6 weeks for three sessions. Dr. Somenek typically sees new hair growth after the first 8-10 weeks. Nutritional supplements are also recommended as this can optimize the hair restoration process in DC. Further treatments will be evaluated by the end of the fourth month. Dr. Somenek will go over a comprehensive plan with you during your initial consultation.
What does PRP consist of?
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.
PRP is concentrated blood plasma which contains approximately 5x the number of platelets found in normal circulating blood. This is significant because the Platelets contain proteins that promote the rate of tissue healing and regeneration within inactive hair follicles. Inside these platelets are a variety of intracellular structures such as glycogen (a form of glucose), lysosomes (which break down the proteins) and alpha granules (which contain clotting and growth factors that get released during the cell repair process).
In particular, the PRP specific cells that cause hair growth include:
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF): Cell growth, collagen and blood vessel formation
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): For blood vessel formation
- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF): for blood vessel, cell and skin formation
- Transforming Growth-Factor-Beta (TGF-b): For a growth matrix between cells, bone metabolism
- Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2): Blood vessel and specialized cell growth
- Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1): Also known as Somatomedin C, a protein regulator of normal physiology in nearly every type of cell in the body and has anabolic effects in adults
How is the procedure performed?
What Does Plasma Hair Treatment / PRP Cost?
Costs vary based on your needs, but on average, PRP procedures are once a month, for three sessions and the price depends on the amount of treatment area needed to be injected during each session. This will be determined at the time of your consultation.
Are there any potential side effects to PRP Hair Treatment?
There are no documented side effects from treating the scalp with PRP.
Consider Using PRP for Hair Loss in Washington DC
If you are trying to fix your thinning hair, talk to Dr. Somenek about taking PRP for hair loss in Washington DC.
