What first comes to your mind when your hear about platelets? The majority think about bleeding or clotting maybe? As you know platelets are part of the blood and help prevent a wound from bleeding out, working together with other clotting processes. Well, in the 90s scientists discovered that platelets have growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents that can be used to regenerate tissues in vivo, and it worked! This discovery found its way into the cosmetic field where platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used to regenerate hair, restoring a smile to those who want to keep their precious hair.
To make this PRP, blood is spun at high speed by a process called centrifugation, thus separating plasma from the rest of the blood components. This plasma forms a supernatant which is packed with platelets, hence the term platelet-rich plasma.
These platelets are rich in growth factors, like platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor, epidermal growth factor to name a few. When they are introduced to stem cells they get to work, having a potent ability to stimulate stem cells in the body. As a result, this opened doors to a wide variety of medical applications consisting of any condition where there is loss of stem cell ability to regenerate. There is now hope for those with receding hair lines or with balding, where stem cells of hair follicles degenerate and lose their ability to replenish the hair.
It doesn't end there. The other way in which these platelet-derived agents help in treating hair loss is the presence of anti-inflammatory factors. There are conditions and substances that cause chronic inflammation in the skin. This disturbs the supporting structures of the hair in the skin and in some cases the body even mounts an immune attack against the hair follicles, causing hair loss. Examples of these offending agents include cigarette smoke, inflammatory skin diseases and other systemic conditions like Diabetes Mellitus. Inflammation is destructive and may lead to scarring in the skin and PRP counters this with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which has anti-inflammatory properties hence promotes healing. You can see how important this 90s discovery was in the world of medicine and cosmetology.
One important advantage is that it's all natural and there is no chance of a person reacting to his or her own plasma. If was made in the laboratory or extracted from an animal, people with risk of hypersensitivity reactions would not qualify for the treatment. This characteristic of being natural makes it easier to make and cheaper. Yes, the cost of doing the actual procedure may be steep for some but if PRP was made from another source, the cost was going to be even higher. Any side effects that may occur are due to external factors as discussed in a section below.
In cosmetics, this wonderful discovery has enabled dermatologists and aestheticians to successfully manage cases of hair loss and hair thinning. PRP treatment is used in conjunction with a procedure called microneedling to achieve maximum benefit. In microneedling, a special instrument called a microneedle pen is used and has multiple fine needles to puncture the skin. These needles are spring-loaded, using an automatic, vibrating stamp-like motion to puncture the skin repeatedly. The skilled hand of a practitioner gently guides the pen over the area to be treated, making sure it is adequately covered. Don’t worry, the needle and tip are disposable hence the risk of cross-infection is eliminated.
After microneedling, the activated PRP is delivered into the skin usually via a needle and it penetrates deep down to the roots of the hair. The whole procedure takes a few minutes but may go up to 30 minutes if the area to be treated is large. After completion of the procedure, the doctor may apply a soothing product with anti-inflammatory properties.
It is recommended that after microneedling and PRP application, you avoid anything that triggers inflammation of the skin hence cause discomfort or irritation. This includes:
You may need to come for repeat session four to six times depending on what your doctor recommends. In each of these visits, the whole process of microneedling and application of PRP is done. Fortunately, the procedure doesn't take long and once you have undergone the first session, your anxieties will be alleviated. They say patience is a virtue, and it applies to the regeneration of hair. Expect results after at least 6 months. Fortunately, the majority of clients get favourable results and with a background of previous successful cases, it’s easy to stay upbeat.
Both stages of the process are safe, that is, the microneedling part and the injection of PRP. The topical anaesthetic helps numb the pain during the procedure. A temporary itching or numbness is normal after the procedure but it will go away. It's important to follow the post-procedure instructions listed above so that there is no inflammation of the skin.
Since PRP application is done after preparing the skin with microneedling, you can't run away from the cost of the latter process. Hair regeneration is a cosmetic procedure so most insurance companies don't cover for it. This makes it expensive because you have to dig into your purse to make the payment. The total cost depends on:
The average costs of microneedling alone ranges from USD$200 to USD$700 per each session and you need 4 to 6 sessions which further inflates the figure. With the addition of PRP, total figure becomes much higher. In America PRP treatment may cost as much as USD$900 per session. For men who want to grow a kickass neard, there is an article here.
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To make this PRP, blood is spun at high speed by a process called centrifugation, thus separating plasma from the rest of the blood components. This plasma forms a supernatant which is packed with platelets, hence the term platelet-rich plasma.
The active agents in platelets
These platelets are rich in growth factors, like platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor, epidermal growth factor to name a few. When they are introduced to stem cells they get to work, having a potent ability to stimulate stem cells in the body. As a result, this opened doors to a wide variety of medical applications consisting of any condition where there is loss of stem cell ability to regenerate. There is now hope for those with receding hair lines or with balding, where stem cells of hair follicles degenerate and lose their ability to replenish the hair.
It doesn't end there. The other way in which these platelet-derived agents help in treating hair loss is the presence of anti-inflammatory factors. There are conditions and substances that cause chronic inflammation in the skin. This disturbs the supporting structures of the hair in the skin and in some cases the body even mounts an immune attack against the hair follicles, causing hair loss. Examples of these offending agents include cigarette smoke, inflammatory skin diseases and other systemic conditions like Diabetes Mellitus. Inflammation is destructive and may lead to scarring in the skin and PRP counters this with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which has anti-inflammatory properties hence promotes healing. You can see how important this 90s discovery was in the world of medicine and cosmetology.
One important advantage is that it's all natural and there is no chance of a person reacting to his or her own plasma. If was made in the laboratory or extracted from an animal, people with risk of hypersensitivity reactions would not qualify for the treatment. This characteristic of being natural makes it easier to make and cheaper. Yes, the cost of doing the actual procedure may be steep for some but if PRP was made from another source, the cost was going to be even higher. Any side effects that may occur are due to external factors as discussed in a section below.
PRP in cosmetics
In cosmetics, this wonderful discovery has enabled dermatologists and aestheticians to successfully manage cases of hair loss and hair thinning. PRP treatment is used in conjunction with a procedure called microneedling to achieve maximum benefit. In microneedling, a special instrument called a microneedle pen is used and has multiple fine needles to puncture the skin. These needles are spring-loaded, using an automatic, vibrating stamp-like motion to puncture the skin repeatedly. The skilled hand of a practitioner gently guides the pen over the area to be treated, making sure it is adequately covered. Don’t worry, the needle and tip are disposable hence the risk of cross-infection is eliminated.
After microneedling, the activated PRP is delivered into the skin usually via a needle and it penetrates deep down to the roots of the hair. The whole procedure takes a few minutes but may go up to 30 minutes if the area to be treated is large. After completion of the procedure, the doctor may apply a soothing product with anti-inflammatory properties.
Care after procedure
It is recommended that after microneedling and PRP application, you avoid anything that triggers inflammation of the skin hence cause discomfort or irritation. This includes:
- Going out into the sun. The sun emits ultraviolet radiation which causes skin damage and inflammation of the skin.
- Engaging in activities that cause sweating like sauna. This triggers sweating and sweat is pro-inflammatory which causes discomfort of the skin
- Using oil-based skin products that remove the natural oils of the skin causing irritation
- Swimming
Follow up
You may need to come for repeat session four to six times depending on what your doctor recommends. In each of these visits, the whole process of microneedling and application of PRP is done. Fortunately, the procedure doesn't take long and once you have undergone the first session, your anxieties will be alleviated. They say patience is a virtue, and it applies to the regeneration of hair. Expect results after at least 6 months. Fortunately, the majority of clients get favourable results and with a background of previous successful cases, it’s easy to stay upbeat.
Side effects
Both stages of the process are safe, that is, the microneedling part and the injection of PRP. The topical anaesthetic helps numb the pain during the procedure. A temporary itching or numbness is normal after the procedure but it will go away. It's important to follow the post-procedure instructions listed above so that there is no inflammation of the skin.
Cost of procedure
Since PRP application is done after preparing the skin with microneedling, you can't run away from the cost of the latter process. Hair regeneration is a cosmetic procedure so most insurance companies don't cover for it. This makes it expensive because you have to dig into your purse to make the payment. The total cost depends on:
- Area being treated
- The size of the area being treated
- Number of sessions you have to attend
- Any follow ups that may need to be done
The average costs of microneedling alone ranges from USD$200 to USD$700 per each session and you need 4 to 6 sessions which further inflates the figure. With the addition of PRP, total figure becomes much higher. In America PRP treatment may cost as much as USD$900 per session. For men who want to grow a kickass neard, there is an article here.
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