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What are Platelet Rich Plasma Treatments for Hair Thinning?
Platelets... Because not all heroes wear capes.
In case you forgot, platelets are components of the blood and when you cut yourself they aide in stopping the bleeding.
But what do they have to do with treating hair loss?
It is hypothesized that growth factors released from platelets may act on stem cells in the bulge area of the hair follicles. This may stimulate the development of new follicles and promote the formation of new blood vessels (1).
Some of the growth factors released by platelets have been listed below (2):
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF),
Transforming growth factor (TGF),
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF),
Epidermal growth factor (EGF)
And what is platelet rich plasma (PRP)?
When the procedure is performed it is done by extracting your blood and having it spun down to separate the red blood cells from the platelet cells. Platelet rich plasma is a preparation of your own body's platelets in concentrated plasma which contains things like powerful growth factors and healing agents. The resulting platelet rich plasma is then injected into the scalp.
Background on the procedure: Platelet Rich Plasma for Hair Thinning + Acell
There is some evidence that PRP treatment is effective in promoting hair regrowth. I’m not going to dive deep into a review of the literature or the science behind the proposed mechanism of action for this treatment regimen. I will have a blog post dedicated solely to a review on platelet rich plasma but for the sake of this post I’m providing an update on my treatment regimen.
Keep in mind when shopping around for places that perform this procedure that different clinics may use different injection techniques, they may prepare the plasma sample differently etc.
When reading through the literature I noticed that there really isn't a standardized treatment protocol for this method that is being used consistently. So it’s difficult to evaluate whether or not this treatment is actually effective... But it has been part of my own treatment regimen.
I had been going to a med spa for my platelet rich plasma injections. I have since switched to Modena Hair Institute where I'm treated by Dr. Amir Yazdan, who is recognized throughout the industry as a world-leading hair restoration specialist. He has offices in Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, and Newport Beach. You can find his website HERE.
Dr. Yazdan, has also created his own line of shampoo/conditioner and serums which I have linked HERE and discuss below in more detail. The images are also linked.
I was gifted the 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner and have used this intermittently when I'm not using my ketoconazole shampoo linked HERE. To learn more about ketoconazole shampoo and its effects on hair loss check out my post HERE.
Why did I switch from the med spa to Modena Hair Institute?
I found this clinic on my own by googling. I felt like if I was going to subject myself to the pain of needles poking my scalp I should be seeing a specialist.
I felt more comfortable going to someone who has actual experience treating hair loss. In my own opinion I assumed this would translate to better results. I also really like that when I go to see Dr. Yazdan he is the one performing the injections every single time.
I also switched to the Modena Hair Institute because they offered Platelet rich plasma + ACell whereas the med spa I had been going to only offered platelet rich plasma treatments.
So what is ACell?
ACell MatriStem is an FDA-approved product, that is a protein complex derived from pig bladder cells. It has been proven to be very helpful in wound healing. When ACell is placed into a surgical site or wound, it may stimulate adult stem cells in the area and aide in the repairing and remodeling of damaged tissues.
I want to call out here that I have never seen a head to head study assessing whether PRP treatments + ACell are more effective than PRP alone in treating hair thinning.
Something else to note: PRP + ACell may cost a little more than just platelet rich plasma treatments alone.
My logic for wanting to do PRP plus ACell..... I had been doing PRP treatments alone and felt like I wanted to see if adding ACell would increase the effectiveness. I have been using multiple treatment modalities to combat my hair thinning so it's difficult to say where my hair gains have come from. But I would say I have noticed hair regrowth and increased thickness since starting and I will continue with PRP treatments + ACell.
Here’s what the treatment regimen has been like:
I've had 4 Platelet rich plasma treatments + ACell total over the past year. The regimen has been once a month for the first 3 months. Then one treatment every 6 months.
This procedure has been costly. But my clinic also offers treatment packages where you can buy a bunch of treatments upfront for a lesser cost which can make it a bit more affordable. If you're going to have Platelet rich plasma treatments done ask if this is a possibility.
What I like about the 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner above is that it is formulated with DHT blockers like saw palmetto, and pumpkin seed extract. I don't really get lots of suds when using this shampoo/conditioner but I massage it onto my scalp using my scalp massager and then let it sit on my head for a few minutes before washing it off. It does make my scalp feel tingly and I really enjoy the smell. I also like that it does not leave my hair feeling super dry.
My experience: What has the procedure been like?
When I go into the office a blood sample is taken. That sample gets spun down and my platelets are extracted and then injected into my scalp. Like all over my scalp...Multiple injections.
Sometimes they will even take any left-over PRP and microneedle into my hairline.
I do not have any topical numbing agents applied when I'm getting my PRP. And no, I don't think I'm tough lol.
I know some places do numb you. I haven't used this option mainly because I just want to get it over with and I can get through the procedure with only taking a few breaks and squeezing a stress ball.
After the injections I don’t wash my hair for a minimum of 24 hrs and my scalp feels pretty tender. I’ve also felt this weird stretching sensation to my scalp after having the procedure performed. Sometimes I’ve gotten a slight headache but that all resolves pretty quickly. I'd say my head feels tender for around 48 hrs.
My hair is a greasy-plasma-cakey mess immediately after the procedure and so for the rest of the night I just leave my hair tied up in a bun.
I always have this procedure performed at the end of the day so I can just go home afterwards and relax.
Despite the pain which I do think is pretty tolerable without numbing techniques… I think I will continue with PRP because I think it has been effective for me. I will continue these treatments once every 3-4 months.
Image on the left: Sept 2020, Image on the right: November 2021
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References:
1. Uebel CO, da Silva JB, Cantarelli D, Martins P. The role of platelet plasma growth factors in male pattern baldness surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;118:1458–66.
2. Khatu SS, More YE, Gokhale NR, Chavhan DC, Bendsure N. Platelet-rich plasma in androgenic alopecia: myth or an effective tool. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014 Apr;7(2):107-10. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.138352. PMID: 25136212; PMCID: PMC4134641.