Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a relatively new treatment for hair loss, but they have been gaining traction in the world of dermatology. PRP injections are prepared by taking one to several tubes of your own blood and passing them through a centrifuge to concentrate platelets. These activated platelets are then injected directly into injured or diseased body tissue, releasing growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of repair cells the body produces. The needles used for PRP injections can be 27 or 30 g, and they are placed about 3-4 mm on the scalp along the depth.
To reduce pain, inject 0.1 cc of 0.25% lidocaine without epinephrine into 60 to 70 sites of the scalp, about 1 cm apart. The amount of PRP used is usually 5 to 7 ml, and it is injected intradermally or into deep subcutaneous tissue with 0.3 to 0.5 cc per area with a 27 or 30 gauge needle. To maximize the effectiveness of PRP injections, it is recommended to do 3-4 treatment sessions every 4-6 weeks. Numbing cream, ice, a steam cooler, Pro-Nox nitrous oxide, and digital pressure can be used to make injections less uncomfortable.
We found that placing the PRP approximately 4 weeks apart for 3-4 months, then retouching in 6 months works well. Studies on platelet-rich plasma and the use of PRP injections to remedy hair loss are relatively new in the world of dermatology. While clinical studies have been conducted over several years and have suggested that PRP therapy is effective with different growth factors, many dermatologists have recently started testing it in their practices. Because of this, not much is known about PRP treatment unless you research the topic in depth. Other useful treatments include topical minoxidil and oral supplements (e.g. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRP injections into the scalp of patients with androgenetic alopecia, he then injects 0.1 ml of the PRP into each of the depot sites by withdrawing a 23-gauge needle from the deep dermis to the superficial dermis, where most of the hair follicles are located with slow injection using a tuberculin syringe. So how does platelet-rich plasma treatment work for hair loss and how often do you need to get the injections? PRP hair treatment works by injecting autologous concentrations of platelets into the scalp to promote hair growth.
The frequency of platelet-rich plasma injections depends on several factors, but experts usually recommend 3 monthly sessions and follow-up injections every 4 to 6 months. Post-surgical PRP injections have expanded to help heal muscles, tendons and ligaments as procedures in these tissues have notoriously long recovery times. Platelet-rich plasma has been found to significantly improve the healing process, and the use of a PRP injection for shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff tears, Achilles tendon ruptures, and other soft tissue injuries is becoming more common. Early studies indicate that PRP injections may help treat the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis by modulating the joint environment and reducing inflammation, but research is increasing. While case studies have shown patient satisfaction with PRP injections in the past, it's not as beneficial to everyone. Some of the main advantages of PRP injections are that they can reduce the need for anti-inflammatory drugs or stronger medications such as opioids. In Sarasota, Florida, Joe Greco MD of Greco Medical Group is injecting Emcyte Pure PRP with cytokine-rich plasma and extracellular matrix to prolong exposure to growth factors. In conclusion, PRP injections appeared to be effective in treating androgenetic alopecia in both men and women with no notable adverse effects while accompanied by a high rate of patient satisfaction.
Two male patients had been taking NSAIDs due to musculoskeletal problems and stopped taking them 8 days before PRP injections. Interfollicular injections of A-PRP (0.2 ml x cm) were performed by controlled and programmed mechanical injections to a depth of 5 mm using a medical injection gun.