The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a regenerative medicine technique used for years to treat tendon injuries, orthopedics, rheumatology, and sports medicine: healing tendons, painful tendonitis, and muscle tears. The benefits of this medical technique are applied to other areas of medicine such as dermatology, skin and wound healing, and facial rejuvenation cosmetic. In this article, we shall focus on PRP and Alopecia.
What is Alopecia?
Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss where the skin is left wholly or partially naked. One of the common types of alopecia is baldness. Men are much more affected than ladies.
The PRP principle
Plasma is the liquid component of blood, representing 55% of the blood volume, in which red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets bathe. The latter contains many growth factors and key elements of tissue regeneration that promoting cell proliferation/migration, collagen synthesis, development of micro-circulation, and increase capillary permeability.
The Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) technique involves blood sampling and concentrating the platelets by centrifugation in a limited volume of plasma. This fraction of plasma called PRP is then superficially injected into the skin in intradermally by infiltration or applied locally to the skin if it has been previously “micro-holed” with a roller or with Tixel. The PRP must be produced and injected in excellent hygienic conditions.
Obtained from the patient’s own blood, PRP is an autologous preparation that is biocompatible and 100% natural. The risks of rejection, infectious transmission or allergic reaction are almost non-existent.
Treatment of hair loss
After local anesthesia of the scalp, PRP is superficially injected by a mesotherapy method in areas where the hair has thinned. The practitioner often uses an intradermal gun that distributes the PRP evenly. This mesotherapy gun performs painless micro-injections while controlling of the depth of injection.
The growth factors contained in platelet-rich plasma stimulate the hair follicle stem cells and initiate the formation of new vessels thus improving the irrigation of the scalp. A well-nourished scalp stops hair loss, strengthens existing hair and activates the growth of hair follicles. Hair regrowth occurs due to the reactivation of dormant hair follicles.
The session lasts 30 to 90 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated. This superficial local treatment does not cause any significant side effects. The resumption of socio-professional activities is possible from the end of treatment.
PRP improves not only the regrowth but also the texture and luster of the existing hair. Within one month after the first session, the hair is visibly more beautiful, shiny and more resistant. The regrowth of new hair (revitalization of hair bulbs) begins after 2-3 months in general.
LED treatment is sometimes performed between sessions to amplify the results of PRP injections.
The effects of the PRP include:
- Slowing down hair loss
- Stimulation of hair regrowth
- Increased capillary density
- Improved texture
- Increase in hair diameter (fine hair)
- Remediation of the scalp (dandruff and irritations)
This treatment of hair loss is used especially in women and men with androgenic alopecia, diffuse alopecia or alopecia areata, and provides excellent results in these patients.
PRP, a complementary treatment during hair transplants
PRP injections, both in the transplant region and in the donor region, are often included in a hair transplant protocol, before and after the transplant. Generally, this treatment optimizes the effects of the graft by accelerating healing, developing vascularity in the hair follicles and stimulating the awakening of dormant follicles. The results are completely natural. The treatment can be renewed later to help preserve the result.
Intimate rejuvenation
PRP has regenerative properties in the labia majora, which restores firmness and tone.
