It’s estimated that about 50 million American men experience baldness and about 50 percent of men will experience some degree of hair loss after age 50.
If you’ve noticed that your hairline is starting to recede and you’re now in search of an effective, all-natural solution to your problem, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy could be worth a try. Let’s delve into PRP therapy, specifically how it works, its side effects, and whether it’s right for you.
How it Works
PRP involves a regenerative medicine specialist taking a sample of your blood then putting it into a device called a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other components of your blood. The platelets are then concentrated within the plasma, which is the liquid portion of your blood.
A regenerative medicine specialist then reinjects the solution into the affected areas of your scalp to activate the growth factors, which boost blood supply to your hair follicles and improve the thickness of your hair shafts.
PRP injections are typically administered monthly over a three-month period and then spread out to every three or four months over the course of one to two years. It may take a few rounds of treatments to start seeing results.
Studies show that after about four treatments, men experience a 30-percent increase in hair growth in thinning areas.
Side Effects
Side effects from PRP treatment are usually mild if they occur at all. You may experience some slight redness or soreness, but these should dissipate within a few weeks.
There is potential for blood vessel injury, nerve injury, and infection at the injection sites, albeit these complications are very rare.
Since PRP treatment uses your own blood, there is much less risk of an allergic reaction. The procedure itself only involves mild discomfort and does not require the use of anesthesia.
Indications and Contraindications
PRP works best for men who have recently experienced hair loss or those suffering from hair loss due to high stress levels. It may be harder to wake up hair follicles that have been dormant for a long time.
While PRP therapy is a safe procedure, it is not appropriate for everyone. For example, people with thyroid disorders or lupus aren’t likely to have good results because these conditions cause continued hair loss over time. Also, if you’re taking blood thinners, the platelets will likely not work as effectively, and the procedure may not yield good results.
PRP Treatment at NIVA Men’s Health
Here at NIVA Men’s Health, we offer PRP therapy for men with male-pattern baldness and other types of hair loss. The procedure can be done at any of our office locations by one of our qualified regenerative medicine specialists. We will monitor your hair growth over time and make sure you achieve the results you’re looking for.
If you would like to find out if you’re a candidate for PRP therapy, call our office near you to schedule a consultation with one of our regenerative medicine specialists. You may also use our appointment request form, and one of our staff members will contact you to arrange your visit. We look forward to helping you look and feel your best!
We have several locations: in Melbourne and Jacksonville, FL; Manalapan, NJ; Naperville, IL; Wixom, MI; or Woodstock, GA.
