PRP Treatment Near Me: The Basics

by Ife Rodney Last updated Mar 29, 2021

It’s the moment we all dread. Tufts of hair coming out in our brushes. Our hair is not growing full and thick like we’re used to. At Eternal Dermatology, we help our patients understand what’s behind their hair loss and provide the most cutting edge treatment options. A “PRP treatment near me” is one the biggest searches online in the hair loss niche.

Hair loss could be devastating and can put a big dent in our self-esteem and social confidence. We naturally lose 50 to 100 strands of hair every day. That increases with age and is often expected. However, about 1 in 5 Americans are losing more hair than expected. Sometimes, there could be an underlying medical issue; other times it’s a cosmetic concern.

Here’s what’s behind your hair loss.

Your hair grows from tiny pockets in your skin called follicles. The hair starts from the root and pushes through the skin to form the hair strand. For some people, the growth slows or stops on parts of the scalp. The main reasons for hair loss include:

Androgenic alopecia: This is also called male-pattern (or female pattern) hair loss. Simply put, people with androgenic alopecia have inherited genes that cause their hair follicles to be thin and shrink as you age.
Alopecia areata: The immune system attacks the hair follicles. While you can lose hair on your scalp, people with alopecia areata may also lose hair on the eyebrows, eyelashes or entire body.
Age: With old age, the follicles naturally slow and stop growing altogether, regardless of your genes. Think of it as the body moving resources to more vital functions at that point.
CCCA: Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia, hair loss happens in a circular pattern at the center of the scalp. CCCA is common in African Americans and is often due to tight hairstyles that damage the follicles.
Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, thyroid conditions, and stress can cause hormonal imbalances that can cause hair loss.
Medical conditions: Scalp Psoriasis, STIs, and cancers can cause hair loss.

For some of these conditions, platelet-rich plasma therapy can help.

What is PRP Treatment?

Platelet Rich Plasma uses concentrated amounts of a your own platelets for restorative medicine. The blood contains plasma which carries the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets through the body. Platelets are responsible for blood clots and healing as they contain stem cells.

By injecting the ‘platelet-rich’ plasma into an affected area, we can help parts of the body heal. PRP works wonders to help joints, ligaments, and bones heal. Over time, the medical community found that it was also effective in promoting hair growth.

PRP vs. Hair Transplant

So why not get a hair transplant? A hair transplant surgically moves hair from thicker parts of the body or scalp to thin or absent parts. Hair transplantation gives fast results and have high success rates, but it is an expensive surgical procedure. Hair transplants can cost five times more than your total PRP treatment.

That means not everyone is a candidate. With surgery, there are also risks involved. Platelet-Rich Plasma is non-invasive and allows the body to naturally regrow new follicles. PRP is known to look more natural compared to hair transplant surgeries. So how would you go about getting PRP therapy?

Understanding the PRP process

If you’ve decided on doing something about your hair, your first step would be to visit your dermatologist. Search for a “PRP treatment near me” or “PRP injections near me.” The specialist closest to you will come up in search. BE sure to choose a board-certified dermatologist with expertise in all hair types.

Once you visit your dermatologist of choice, the first step would be to find the cause of your hair loss. For instance, at Eternal Dermatology, we complete an extensive assessment that covers medical history, family history, and a physical exam. You’ll be a great candidate for PRP if:

You are in generally good health and not suffering from blood diseases or disorders.
Hair is thinning or receding.
You’ve got to it early, before all your hair is gone.
You would prefer a non-surgical approach to treating your hair loss.

You may not be a good candidate if:

You have an existing blood disease or infection.
Anemic or suffering from a low platelet count.
Pregnant
You’re on steroid treatment, blood thinners, or blood pressure medication.
You have severe skin allergies or a history of keloid scarring.

We recommend starting Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy with three treatments spaced a month apart. Hair turnover slows down with age, and this helps us keep up with the hair’s natural growth. After the first series, you may have to visit your dermatologist for a touch-up every 6- 12 months.

Time for PRP

To start, the dermatologist draws a blood sample from the arm. The sample is then placed in a special tube and placed in a centrifuge for about 10 minutes. The centrifuge separates the red blood cells from the plasma. The dermatologist places the remaining plasma in syringes to inject into the scalp.

The patient’s scalp is cleaned, before starting injections.There will be some pain and discomfort with the injections. The scalp has lots of nerve endings and bone, so injections can be uncomfortable.

Then the dermatologist will inject the platelet-rich plasma into the areas that have hair loss. Some dermatologists use microneedling to stimulate collagen growth during the procedure. We may massage the scalp to properly disperse the plasma. PRP is a quick, outpatient procedure and can even happen during your lunch hour.

Does PRP treatment really work for hair loss?

PRP injections can take some time to kick into gear. Some people will see hair growth around the third or fourth cycle. However, we have also seen significant hair regrowth after just one treatment. In a randomized trial, over 60% of patients increased their hair regrowth compared to a placebo.

PRP provides stem cells, proteins, cytokines, and several other growth factors straight to the stunted hair follicles. As a result, the follicles have more keratin, blood vessel growth, collagen growth, and tissue growth.

It grows hair, but does PRP injections thicken hair?

Yes, PRP can thicken hair. It makes hair grow longer, fuller, and thicker by improving blood flow. For some patients, it can even regrow hair in the areas of your scalp where growth stopped altogether. PRP outperform over-the-counter hair growth products and even some prescription products.

In a 2019 study of men, PRP therapy outperformed Rogaine, the most popular hair growth product in the world. However, this was dependent on the patient’s platelet count. Women also noticed significantly improved thickness in the middle of the scalp after complete PRP therapy. You will see a significant improvement as the new growth fills previously bare areas. This growth gives the hair a fuller look and feel.

Are there any risks involved with PRP?

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy is not a surgical procedure. However, the procedure does involve injections, so there are some risks. There is a chance of injuring the blood vessels at the injection site, nerve injury, scar tissue, or side effects from the anesthetic. You may feel a headache after the procedure, but you can resume your daily activities after each treatment.

All About Aftercare

You can’t just search for a “PRP injection near me,” get the shots and expect the hair to grow back. You’ll need to do some aftercare to get the best results from your treatment. Here are a few do’s and don’t s you can follow before your subsequent treatment:

Be patient. You likely won’t see results until after the 3rd treatment.
Avoid vigorous exercise for at least 24 hours after treatment.
Avoid scratching or touching your head for at least 24 hours, so you do not irritate the injection site.
Do not wet your hair, do not use shampoo or other products for at least 24 hours after your injections.
You may experience some pain or discomfort after treatment. Unfortunately, you need to avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication like Advil, Aleve, or Ibuprofen.
Do not use Rogaine, hair vitamins, or other hair treatment products for at least 48 hours after treatment. However, some of these may help afterward.
Have lots of water, and avoid smoking, alcohol, or caffeine as much as possible.
Stress is a big factor in hair loss. Look for ways to mitigate stress.

Your dermatologist may prescribe or recommend a hair restoration kit that contains growth factors while avoiding inflammation, which is important for the platelets to work properly. These may contain vitamins, supplements, or other treatments to suppress androgens (hormones). Some of these treatments include spironolactone, finasteride (for male-pattern baldness), or minoxidil (Rogaine).

How Long Does PRP Injection for Hair Loss Last?

Statistics show that PRP injections can last up to 12 months. People see significantly longer and thicker hair if done effectively. Remember that PRP therapy is a treatment and not a cure for hair loss. Make sure to keep your yearly appointments to get the best results.

If there are underlying issues causing hair loss, we will suggest you visit a doctor. For instance, thyroid conditions can lead to hair loss. If you get the necessary treatment, it can only improve the effectiveness of your PRP. Make sure to communicate with your dermatologist so as to not derail your regimen.

The success of the treatment also depends on your body’s natural ability to heal. By taking care of your health, you improve the chances of success.

Finding PRP Treatment Near Me

So how do you find the best platelet-rich therapy treatment? You’d want to find a dermatologist or hair clinic that’s proven to provide PRP that gets results safely. Here are some steps you can take:

Use Google My Business to find a list of clinics in the area. Terms like “hair loss near me”, or “PRP injections near me” work best.
Look at the ratings for the clinic on Google My Business. Former clients may leave comments about their experiences. GMB also has images, so you can get a quick look at before and after photos.
Ask a friend or your primary care doctor for a recommendation to do PRP therapy.
Look for a reputable website with clear contact information. Give the clinic a call and gauge their willingness to help.

It’s best to take action as soon as you can. Leaving your hair loss for later reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.

Hair Loss is not the end-all.

When we see that our hair is thinning and isn’t growing back as it should, we feel that’s the end of our hair. We decide not to fight, and instead shave it off or look for ways to hide our hair loss. But we don’t need to hide anymore. With Platelet-Rich Plasma, you can use your body’s vital abilities to jumpstart your follicle growth.

At Eternal Dermatology, we are the premier hair loss specialists in the Columbia, MD, and Washington DC- Baltimore areas. Our medical director and board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Ife Rodney, is skilled at assessing your hair and using PRP to regrow your hair. Call us, email us, or set up an appointment today.