What is PRP?
PRP is a non-surgical therapeutic option for patients who may not want, or require, a surgical procedure. It uses micro injections of platelets from the patients own blood to help stimulate hair growth.
How Does PRP Work in Hair Restoration?
Human blood contains mesenchymal stem cells, and autologous blood products that contain essential and specific growth factors that assist in tissue regeneration and healing. For over two decades it has been used as therapy for skin and wound healing, but more recently been found to help stimulate hair growth.
In the field of hair restoration, evidence supports PRP therapy as a promising treatment option to promote hair growth. While Platelet-Rich Plasma is in the early stages of scientific research in hair restoration, Platelet-Rich Plasma is not meant to replace current FDA approved therapies such as DHT blockers and Minoxidil, but it is a promising non-surgical therapeutic option for those patients with hair loss.
The Platelet-Rich Plasma Procedure
The doctor will extract a little blood, just as if you were receiving a blood test. This blood is then treated in a centrifuge to separate the enriched cells or platelets (PRP). We use Eclipse PRP for this process.
The Eclipse PRP System is based on blood separation according to density, using a centrifuge. The system allows for the preparation of pure Platelet-Rich Plasma with optimal platelet concentrations and cellular content. Virtually, all Red Blood Cells (RBC) are eliminated from Platelet-Rich Plasma and the concentration of pro-inflammatory Granulocytes (GRs) is dramatically reduced.
Once the Platelet-Rich Plasma has been separated from the blood, it is injected into the scalp, or areas needing treatment, using a special micro needle. The hair may be slightly damp after treatment but there is minimal redness or pain post procedure, and because PRP uses your own blood, you shouldn’t have any major side effects. The patient can go about their day as normal afterwards. There is no sedation or medication involved with this procedure that would inhibit driving or operating machinery.
PRP Benefits for Hair Loss
- A progressive non-surgical healing treatment in a variety of fields.
- A fraction of autologous blood with supraphsiological concentration of platelets and their associated growth factors
- Upon activation, platelet-derived α granules release autologous growth factors involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, collagenesis and matrix remodelling (PDGF/ TGF/ VEGF/ EGF/ FGF/ IGF etc)
- Autologous (from patient’s own blood)
- Easy to use, rapid and effective system
- Requires small sample of blood (10ml)
- Optimal Platelet Concentration for ALL specialties
- Biocompatible, and xeno-free, minimizing safety concerns and rejection
- Control of PRP volume by discarding PPP
- Increases platelet concentration
- Adjustment to clinical protocols
- Specially designed accessories to facilitate PRP harvest
- Virtually eliminating granulocytes from the Platelet-Rich Plasma, which are considered not beneficial in terms of regeneration process and may contribute to a catabolic effect by secreting catabolic mediators, including metalloproteinases
- Eliminating undesired erythrocytes, which have been shown to significantly decrease fibroblast proliferation and augment apoptosis in vitro
- Remnant of mononuclear cells present in the PRP assists in fighting infection and is thought to enhance the anabolic effects of PRP
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