At Affiliated Dermatology, we offer one of the most promising hidden secrets in non-surgical treatments for hair restoration – Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP is an effective alternative to surgery for men and women who require stimulation of hair growth for hair loss conditions such as androgenic alopecia or male/female pattern baldness.
Hair loss can take a toll on anyone’s confidence, whether it’s from aging, stress, or genetics. There’s no reason why you should let it affect your mood or your self-esteem. There is a non-surgical option known as PRP therapy that has been quickly gaining popularity in Phoenix. Let’s take a closer look at PRP hair treatments, what to expect, and just how it works for hair growth.
PRP therapy for hair loss is a treatment that involves withdrawing a patient’s own blood, processing it so that only the enriched cells (platelet-rich plasma) remain, and injecting it into the scalp. PRP contains essential proteins that stimulate natural hair growth.
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. PRP is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets. As a concentrated source of autologous platelets, PRP contains several different growth factors and other cytokines that stimulate healing of bone and soft tissue, as well as hair growth. Human blood contains mesenchymal stem cells and autologous blood products that contain essential and specific growth factors that assist in tissue regeneration and healing.
Upon activation, platelets release growth factors and other molecules. These growth factors are regeneration-promoting signaling molecules and are shown to regulate the healing cascade, including inflammation and cell proliferation.
By utilizing the natural healing mechanisms of the body, PRP is able to stimulate hair growth by utilizing a patient’s own platelet-rich plasma. This highly concentrated form of blood plasma involves taking a sample of blood from the patient and using a tool called a centrifuge to separate it before injecting it directly into areas of thinning hair. The process stimulates hair follicles and promotes new growth without surgery. Recent studies show that PRP can significantly improve hair density in cases like pattern baldness and thinning.
Everyone should know just what to expect from PRP hair treatments in Phoenix. Patients can have noticeable improvements in the density and thickness of hair in as little as 3 to 6 months. Additional maintenance treatments may be needed every 6-12 months.
Candidates should be experiencing:
As with any treatment, patients should always understand the cost. While this can vary from person to person, the typical cost ranges from $1500 to $3500 for three to four rounds of treatment.
At Affiliated Dermatology, you will be escorted to one of our private hair restoration treatment rooms. One of our qualified PRP specialists will draw your blood just as though you were having routine blood testing at your primary care physician’s office.
The drawn blood is then spun in a sterile centrifuge system, which separates the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. The system eliminates granulocytes which can harm tissue regeneration. A topical anesthesia is applied to the scalp to reduce any discomfort during the PRP treatment. The highly concentrated platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the scalp. After treatment, you are able to drive after the procedure and return to your daily routine.
We recommend a total of 3 treatments scheduled 6 weeks apart. This will vary depending on the severity of hair loss and the desired result. A treatment plan will be discussed at your initial consultation.
** Patient has had a combination of hair treatments. We always recommend more than one treatment method to be used in tandem with each other for best results.**
Ask us about our hair rejuvenation supplement, Nutrafol.
Before a treatment, patients should stay properly hydrated and avoid medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen for at least a week before your appointment. Always stop using blood thinners, supplements, and herbs, as well as supplements like Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and cod liver oil for at least a week. For 48 hours prior to treatments, refrain from alcohol, smoking, caffeine, and sun exposure. Hair should be freshly washed, with no styling products.
The visit typically begins with a detailed explanation of the procedure, before the blood is drawn and the patient is moved to a treatment room. The blood sample is then processed before being injected into the scalp. The procedure involves several steps.
After a treatment, avoid washing your hair for several days. Don’t use hair products, and avoid any strenuous activities to allow the scalp to heal. Reduce sun exposure and extreme temperatures for a few days so that the growth factors can work effectively.
PRP was developed in the 1970′s and first used in Italy in 1987 in an open heart surgery procedure. Published medical literature from around the world confirms the safety and use of PRP therapy in medicine. For the past two decades, PRP has been widely used in skin and wound healing, and is now being extensively used in cosmetic surgery, dentistry, sports medicine, and pain management.
In the field of hair restoration, evidence supports PRP therapy as a promising treatment to promote hair growth, although no claim can be made of its efficacy. Studies have shown that growth factors released from platelets may act on stem cells in the bulge area of the follicles, stimulating the development of new follicles and promoting neo-vascularization.
Since PRP is in the early stages of scientific research for hair loss therapy, PRP is not meant to replace current FDA approved therapies such as DHT blockers and Minoxidil. We’ve had patients get upset because they need to see a Dermatologist first, they feel we are ripping them off, and that is not the case. Patients must be diagnosed with the correct hairloss pattern in order to be eligable for PRP.
Men and women wanting to restore hair loss can receive PRP hair restoration therapy at Affiliated Dermatology. We offer PRP hair rejuvenation treatments at our dermatology offices throughout the Phoenix Valley.
Wherever you are in Arizona, there is an Affiliated Dermatology clinic near you. Visit our locations in Tempe, Gilbert, Surprise, Scottsdale, Old Town, Anthem, and Deer Valley.
For more information or to schedule an appointment at one of our several dermatology offices in Arizona, please contact us by calling (480) 556-0446 or leaving us a message with the contact form below.
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Whether you wish to receive treatment for a skin condition or an aesthetic procedure, you can be assured you will be treated with professional and personal care by one of our skin care experts. Please feel free to call us at (480) 556-0446 or leave us a message online using our Contact Us form.
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