Wed 8 Apr 2009
Can Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Stop Hair Loss and Grow New Hair?
Category: Hair Loss Blog , Hair Loss News , New Developments
Coalition member Dr. Jerry Cooley of Charlotte, NC has already described how platelet rich plasma (PRP) may be beneficial to wound healing and hair transplant graft survival. See The Benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma in Surgical Hair Restoration.
Today, physicians and scientists demonstrate that platelet rich plasma may actually wake up dormant follicular stem cells and could quite potentially become the next major breakthrough in treating hair loss and growing hair. While some people feel this is yet another marketing attempt to rob balding men and women of their hard earned money, others are very excited by its potential.
Coalition member Dr. Alan Feller of Great Neck, NY claims that platelet rich plasma may indeed be the “best medical treatment for hair loss since Propecia“. However, he also admits
The technology as I’ve seen it applied falls a bit short. Either the original research in the application of PRP to hair loss are unaware of the short comings as presented or more likely, they held back some important steps in the name of technical propriety – which is perfectly fine and understandable.
Blood is made from approximately 93% red blood cells (RBC), 1% white blood cells (WBC), 6% platelets, and plasma. When platelets are activated in the body, these sponge-like molecules form branches and release healing proteins called growth factors. Though growth factors have a multitude of responsibilities, the cumulative result is accelerated tissue and wound healing. The basis for the benefit of platelet rich plasma lies in decreasing the RBC count to 5% since they are less useful in the healing process while increasing the platelet count to 94%.
A recent case study on a 26 year old hair loss sufferer suggests that platelet rich plasma can stop and reverse hair miniaturization caused by androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. While this 26 year old patient had hair transplant surgery to recover lost hair in the hairline, his posterior crown was traumatized using a 1 mm micro needling roller and platelet rich plasma injected into the crown. The result suggests that PRP not only stopped hair loss, but reversed miniaturization.
Like any other conjectured treatment for baldness, scientists have a long way to go in proving that platelet rich plasma has any real benefit to balding men and women worldwide. At this point, all we can do is wait and watch as research continues on whether or not platelet rich plasma may be the breakthrough us baldies have been waiting for.
Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher/Editor
Technorati Tags: platelet rich plasma, PRP, hair transplant, hair loss, growing hair, balding, hair loss, Propecia, growth factors, androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness, baldness
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- Can the Scalproller Effectively Treat Hair Loss?
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) – The Next Major Breakthrough in Treating Hair Loss?
- Hair Transplant Surgeon Dr. Alan Feller Shares Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Hair Loss Treatment Update
August 26th, 2009 at 12:03 am
PRP therapy has been around for 20 years, it is just now being looked at to treat hair loss. Is it FDA approved for this? Are the doctors that are selling this to the public telling them the truth? I found some articles that claimed that PRP used in the face and scalp can cause melenoma and other cancers, people should go very slow with this “new” technology, I would hate to see patients spend thousands of dollars on a treatment that is not permanent.
August 29th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Ron,
It sounds like you and I have some of the same concerns. PRP is not FDA approved for hair loss, and right now, there are still more questions than even doctors experimenting with it can provide. And yes, I use the word “experimenting” because PRP is still in infancy stages for determining if it can treat hair loss.
My guess is, that like Propecia and Rogaine, if PRP proves to be effective, it will have to be adminstered every so often to maintain its benefit. Frequency of administration however, is unknown at this time.
Frankly, I think there’s already too much hype regarding the PRP procedure for hair loss. As you rightfully said, I think patients and doctors alike should proceed with extreme caution and be honest about the unknowns and about what may realistically be accomplished.
Best wishes,
Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q&A Blog
March 8th, 2011 at 7:21 am
Hi, I am a 26 year old girl, the age of 15 suffer from hair loss and I’ve not yet managed to treatment, hair transplantation 6 years ago did not improvement. Whether this method can be treated and re-growing hair, help me?
March 9th, 2011 at 4:16 am
Fatemeh,
PRP has not yet proven an effective hair loss treatment. Do you know the cause of your hair loss? Is it diffuse (occurring all over the scalp)? Or, is it patchy?
Why do you feel that your hair transplant was not effective? Did you discuss your results with your hair restoration physician at the time?
David (TakingThePlunge)
March 13th, 2011 at 12:49 am
Does any one knows where in Shanghai I can find a doctor who performs PRP?
March 14th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Azi,
I’m uncertain where to specifically find a physician performing PRP injections in Shanghai. If you’d like, you can take a look at our recommended hair restoration physicians and possible find someone there who could point you in the “right direction:”
http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/Consult-a-Physician/hair-loss-doctors.asp
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Forum Co-Moderator
April 18th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
It has been approximately 2 years now and I am wondering if there is any agreement as to whether PRP is effective for hair loss? Since it does not block any DHT receptors and I have seen a few doctors discontinue it because of Unsatisfactory results I am more down on it as effective. I would appreciate any input or opinions on it. Thanks Very Much: David.
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:28 am
Hi David,
Frankly, it doesn’t seem like there is a conclusive answer yet. Some physicians continue using it and state observationally, subjectively, and anecdotally that it is helping patients. However, as you said, the research simply isn’t as substantial as we’d like yet, so any agreement as to whether or not it’s effective for hair isn’t very concrete yet either.
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
June 7th, 2011 at 1:26 am
what is the side effect for PRP sooner or later?
June 17th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Haifa,
Although platelet rich plasma (PRP) used in hair restoration procedures is a fairly new treatment, it has been used for some time in Orthopedic surgery practices.
Although the practitioners state that side effects are uncommon, they also claim that there is always some small risk of infection whenever an injection occurs, and that individuals with bleeding disorders are probably not prime candidates for the PRP extraction and re-injection procedure.
Additionally, I did want to state that because it is your own plasma that is being extracted, concentrated, and re-injected, some of the rejection or autoimmune reactions associated with other transplant procedure and medications should not occur.
Remember that all medications and medical procedure carry some risk of side effects, and these should be well explained and understood before treatment is administered.
I hope this helps!
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
August 6th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
hi all my self is sandy , i loosing my hair ,i heard about PRP treament how effective is this is there is any side effect?
August 9th, 2011 at 6:18 am
Sandy,
PRP as a hair loss treatment is still experimental. No verifiable data has been collected to show that it results in any significant hair growth.
Side effects are generally rare since the serum is derived from the patient’s own body. However, there is a small risk of pain and infection.
David (TakingThePlunge)
August 18th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
HI David,
When you say side effects are minimal.
Does that mean the talk of having melenoma/cancer is just a scare? please throw some light.
Thanks.
August 24th, 2011 at 5:12 am
kamal
I want to stress that I am not a doctor and my opinions don’t constitute medical advice. Always consult with your physician if you are concerned about the possible side effects of a given hair loss treatment.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been proven safe if not yet proven effective. It has been used in various healing applications since the mid 90s. Side effects are generally mild and include those that are common to any type of injection.
David (TakingThePlunge)
August 24th, 2011 at 11:47 am
Hi,
I wanted to know if this therapy could make the roots stronger?I’m not asking if it can help the growth ,my question is can it prevent the hair loss??or that hasn’t been proven yet either??
August 29th, 2011 at 12:27 am
Mahnaz,
At this point, PRP’s potential in fighting hair loss is still being evaluated.
As the article states, “A recent case study on a 26 year old hair loss sufferer suggests that platelet rich plasma can stop and reverse hair miniaturization caused by androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness”. This statement suggests that PRP may be an effective preventative treatment. However, these claims remain unproven.
David (TakingThePlunge)
September 28th, 2011 at 5:07 am
Hi,I am 29 years old girl suffering hair loss caused by Alopecia.I would like to know whether the PRP treatment can be effective and re-growthing hair or not?
September 30th, 2011 at 5:39 am
Zaree,
There is still no verifiable data proving that PRP will regrow hair. However, there is some anecdotal information suggesting that some patients have seen positive results.
Currently, Rogaine (minoxidil) is the only hair loss treatment proven safe and effective for female patients. If you have not yet done so, I highly recommend discussing this treatment option with your physician.
David (TakingThePlunge)
October 24th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
hi i am 30 years old and suffering hair loss . prp can be re growthing hair or not ?
October 25th, 2011 at 4:59 am
morteza,
As I’ve previously mentioned, there is still no data proving that PRP will regrow hair. The best non-surgical hair loss treatment currently available for men is a combination of Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). Only Rogaine is proven safe and effective for balding females.
David (TakingThePlunge)
November 24th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
The PRP just needs one more ingredient.
ACell
Permanent hair loss ;)
November 26th, 2011 at 7:05 am
10 tips for hair growth in men and women
Eating a lot a first batch of water, fat, sweet and savory gourmet. Many people who are overweight can cause diabetes, which in turn can lead to hair loss. A healthy lifestyle is the best of all the tips of the hair growth, but remember to take vitamins for hair, especially vitamin A and vitamin E.
Secondly, you avoid the stress of excessive growth of hair, curling iron, hot water or a brush. You can also take a break from wet hair, hair loss, no one in the field.
January 27th, 2012 at 2:33 am
So is PRP approved by FDA as of yet? I agree with that vitamins and diet lead to a healthier scalp and can diminish hair loss. You would think that after all this time we’d hear more about PRP and its approval or not.