Potential PRP Hair Treatment Side Effects – Should You Be Scared?
Thanks to new technology, you don’t necessarily need to go under the knife for a thicker head of hair. PRP therapy for hair loss is an exciting new non-surgical treatment that significantly reduces hair loss for many patients. It’s also known as platelet-rich plasma therapy.
You may be hesitant to get PRP hair treatment since it’s relatively new. However, PRP has been used since the 1980s for different types of treatments. Since PRP injections use your own blood, adverse side effects are rare and there is no risk of developing a growth of tumor or cancer, according to the information resource website for PRP in Australia.
Let’s take a closer look at potential PRP hair treatment side effects now so that you can choose the best hair restoration method for you.
What is PRP Hair Treatment?
PRP was first developed in the 1970s and has since been used for years for various medical applications. PRP involves having a blood draw as though you were getting lab tests performed. The whole blood is treated with centrifuge to separate the red blood cells from the plasma, the portion of your own blood that contains a relatively high platelet concentration. Platelets are the part of the blood that stops bleeding by clotting and clumping. Doctors then separate the plasma along with the platelets, activate the platelets and inject the serum into the area of your body that is being treated. Doctors have been using this technique for years to stimulate wound healing and improve the appearance of skin.
More recently, researchers have found that PRP can also help stimulate hair growth. Evidence from various studies has supported the idea that PRP is a promising new form of hair growth treatment. So how does it work? The growth factors that are released from the activated platelets can theoretically stimulate cells in your hair follicle to grow, which is great for inactive or implanted hair follicles.
Now that you know how it works, you’re probably wondering if it actually works. In a randomized controlled trial, three PRP treatments were given to patients who suffer with pattern hair loss. This study observed an increase in the number of hairs in the target area and an increase in hair density. No side effects were reported during treatment.
Potential PRP Side Effects
Since PRP uses your own blood, you should not have a reaction to it. Studies have noted that PRP has been found to have a positive effect on male and female pattern hair loss without major adverse side effects. You may experience minimal pain, pinpoint bleeding, and redness when the injections are being delivered. Dr. Krejci notes that patients often comment on a “full” or “tight” feeling in their scalp immediately after injections that can last up to about 1 day. Rarely, she also finds some patients will complain of a mild headache the next day.
Who Shouldn’t Get PRP Treatment for Hair Loss
Though major side effects have not been found in qualified patients, not everyone is suitable for PRP therapy. If you have a history of heavy drug or alcohol use, or a history of smoking, you should not receive PRP hair treatment. You also may not qualify for PRP treatment if you have been diagnosed with any of the following treatments:
- Hypofibrinogenemia
- Cancer
- Sepsis
- Chronic skin disease
- Metabolic disorder
- Systemic disorder
- Hemodynamic instability
- Chronic liver disease
- Platelet dysfunction syndromes
- Acute and chronic infections
- Thrombocytopenia
If you’re not ready for surgery yet or can’t undergo a hair transplant, PRP may be a great hair growth solution for you. If you’d like to learn more about PRP and whether it would be a good option for you, feel free to contact us today!
