Although PRP is known to be a safe procedure, it is important to understand whether it is the most appropriate treatment for you. This is why a diagnostic hair loss consultation or an aesthetics/skin care consultation needs to take place before the first treatment can be booked.
In general 3 sessions a month apart are needed for skin issues, and 6 for hair issues. This should be followed by periodic maintenance treatments.
What is the Platelet Rich Plasma procedure?
The process uses stem cells and growth factors from patients own blood to trigger the growth of hair from resting or miniaturized hair follicles Usage of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in aesthetic medicine should be thought of as the body using its own stem cells on any part of the body where repair, rejuvenation and improvement are required.
It is particularly suitable for tightening around the eyes (including helping the appearance of under eye dark circles), and is used around the lips (where other treatments are more problematic), cheeks, mid-face, jaw line, forehead, neck, décolletage, hands. PRP can be used to treat acne scarring, and hair loss in both men and in women. It is most suitable for hair loss due to balding, telogen effluvium and early alopecia areata in combination with other treatments. A very detailed questionnaire needs to be completed before the procedure is carried out.
What do I need to do before booking a procedure?
PRP should be considered an adjunct to a hair loss treatment plan, and should not be relied on as the only action to treat hair loss.
Some people have the necessary growth factors, and others don’t, so it is important to have a good understanding about what is contributing to the hair loss and alternative treatments.
This is why a diagnostic hair loss consultation is required before starting the treatment, so that your treatment plan can be personalised.
Which products should I use before and after the treatment?
- Please make sure your that your scalp is clean before the procedure. This clinic recommends the use of Aesthetic Dermal’s Scalp fit shampoo 2-4 hours before the procedure. It is a dermatologically tested shampoo which is formulated to provide adequate preparation of the scalp before procedures such as treatment with injectable products for the scalp, mesotherapy or hair surgery.
- In the days after the scalp has recovered from the procedure, Revitalix shampoo can be used.
- Aesthetic Dermal’s Daily care hair spray is a hair growth regenerator which revitalizes and strengthens the hair fibre. This should be sprayed directly onto the scalp and massaged, ensuring that the product is well distributed over the application areas.
Please click on the links below to purchase.
I'm thinking about having a hair transplant
Not everyone is suitable for a hair transplant, particularly young people as the hair loss has not yet stabilised.
There can be some forms of scarring hair loss (including lichen planopilaris or frontal fibrosing alopecia) where a hair transplant can accelerate the hair loss. They can look very similar to balding to the untrained eye, so it is important to be confident of the correct diagnosis first.
There are several other options to PRP for balding in men and women, also known as androgenetic alopecia or male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss.
The clinic recommends the Regenera Treatment for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss should be considered 6 months before a hair transplant to help to improve the chances of success with a course of 4 polynucleotide treatments before and after. The experience from clinics outside the UK using this treatment and sharing their experience has been that it improves the blood supply to the scalp and reduces the chances of scarring when used alongside a hair transplant. If a good response is seen at 6 months then the treatment can repeated annually.
You may wish to have a TrichoTest (DNA test for personalising hair loss treatments) to ensure that you are on the right hair loss medications and supplements for your genetic profile
I've already had a hair transplant and my surgeon has told me to have PRP
If you have had a hair transplant or other procedures for hair loss, it is important that you declare this, so that you can be appropriately advised.
In the UK the approach to offering PRP varies significantly amongst hair transplant surgeons. Some advise it, others don’t because they believe that it would confuse how successful the transplant has been.
There is actually very little published evidence on the benefits of PRP after hair transplant at the moment.
What happens during the procedure?
Platelet-rich plasma is injected by multiple tiny punctures under the dermis, with or without topical local anesthesia. The process is painless if sufficient topical anesthesia is applied, but that can affect how effective the PRP is. Your own blood is drawn and spun down in a centrifuge to obtain the platelet rich plasma.
When PRP is injected into the damaged area, it stimulates the tissue, causing mild inflammation that triggers the healing cascade. As a result, new collagen begins to develop. As this collagen matures, it begins to shrink and tightens and strengthens the skin. Improvement in skin texture and tone is noticeable within 3 weeks.
Full collagen regeneration requires 3 months.
The PRP treatments can be used on all skin types and tones.
What you should know
Minimal swelling, bruising, and redness for the initial 12 to 24 hours are expected. A bruise at the needlestick site may be visible for 2 to 3 days. Swelling from the fluid is what the patient will notice first. During several weeks, the platelets stimulate growth factors, which assists in more collagen stimulation. Treatment results vary but last up to 18 months in most patients.
Results may vary, but to have the best chance of benefitting from this therapy, drink plenty of water in the weeks leading up to the procedure, and it is best to avoid alcohol or smoking.
You may wish to book for a full aesthetics/hair loss consultation before this procedure so that any other issues can be fully assessed and the options explored in more detail.
Results may vary.
Does the treatment need to be repeated?
For best results the treatment should be repeated every month for the 1st 3 months and then every 3 -6- months for skin. For hair the first treatments should take place monthly for the first 6 months.
What about healing after the procedure?
After the PRP procedure, the skin may experience: redness & flushing – any redness should decrease over a 24-hour period. You may also experience some swelling & pain, tenderness, stinging, itching, some pinpoint bleeding, tightness. These sensations will usually typically resolve within hours and many people are able to return to their normal activities the same or next day. Some people may react differently and may experience these reactions for longer. However, they gradually subside over the next 3-4 days as the skin returns to normal.
There is a small risk of side effects causing the skin to turn very red, blister, swell, peel and later scab and crust. In severe cases infection and ulceration may result, although this is not expected to occur due to the sterility of the microinjector needles, and the minimally invasive nature of them.
PRP Therapy procedure may cause areas of bruising although this would not normally be expected to occur, the eye contour being the area at most risk. Any such bruising will be temporary. If you are taking any medication or dietary supplements that can affect platelet function and bleeding time, the severity and period of bruising can be extended, also the presence of petechiae (small red or purple spots beneath the skin) may be observed.
There is a small risk that hyper-pigmentation of the skin can occur after the procedure, although this is not normally expected as the epidermis of the skin is not removed as a result of the procedure. Failure to follow the advice detailed below can increase this risk.
What should be done after treatment?
It is advisable to:
- Avoid products other than what has been recommended by your practitioner as others than the recommended may interfere with treatment.
- It is recommended that the use of soaps, other than those recommended by your practitioner, on the treated skin area is restricted until the skin normalises and where possible warm / tepid water and / or gentle skin cleansers are used for cleansing. Do not scrub. Pat to dry only.
- Refrain from touching the skin with your hands until the pores have had chance to close.
- Makeup can be applied once the skin has settled – usually the next day.
- The skin may flake after a couple of days – refrain from touching or pulling at any loose peeling skin as this can cause an uneven result in pigmentation.
- Avoid, electrolysis, depilatory creams, waxing, and laser hair removal for a minimum of 1 week after treatment or until the skin normalises.
- Avoid intensive sun light, saunas, sunbed, and steam bath for at least 1 week. Wear a hat if necessary
- Use adequate sunscreen protection for at least a week after treatment.
- Report any concerns to your practitioner as soon as possible
Can low level light treatment be helpful after PRP for healing?
There may be additional benefit with additional use of low level laser light treatment such as Theradome. Clients are recommended to purchase a device for home use using the following referral link. https://www.theradomeforhairloss.co.uk/?affiliates=9 The discount code is CREW50
Is there anything else that can boost the results of PRP for hair loss?
The Pharma Hermetic Hair Recovery Programme can be used to boost PRP treatments.
Polynucleotide injections can be alternated with PRP
Are there alternatives to PRP?
Yes. Polynucleotides can help to prime the scalp for PRP as well
Calecim Professional Hair Loss treatment is ethically derived from red deer umbilical cord lining, this advanced hair treatment contains powerful stem cell derived growth factors to help promote fuller looking hair. Suitable for Telogen Effluvium, Post-Partum Hair loss and Traction Alopecia, particularly when identified early. This is offered as a home treatment programme.
Wow Fusion Mesotherapy can be considered when you are considering your scalp nutrition and also can be useful for sweaty scalp.
RRS XL mesotherapy is an option if scalp hydration is desired.
What if I don't have time to be visiting the clinic for repeated treatments?
You may wish to consider the Regenera treatment at this clinic.