Platelet Rich Plasma for Hair Restoration in McLean, Richmond & Virginia Beach
PRP stimulates the body’s natural healing forces. PRP stands for
platelet rich-plasma. Platelets are the components of your blood that
are best known for blood clotting. Blood is made up of 55% plasma, 45%
red blood cells, and about 1% white blood cells and platelets. The platelets
contain hundreds of proteins called Growth Factors and Cytokines, which
are necessary in the healing process. PRP is the separation of those platelets
and plasma from the rest of the blood, which results in high concentration
of the platelets; hence platelet-rich plasma.
The growth factors and cytokines present in PRP include:
The growth factors and cytokines are signaling proteins and have a stimulating
effect on the Stem Cells located within the targeted area. Stem cells
are found throughout the entire body and play a key role in repairing
damaged tissue. In fact, the future of Regenerative Medicine includes
the combination of PRP along with the administration of concentrated Stem
Cells. The Platelets growth factors and signaling cytokines help stimulate
the stem cells; triggers the healing cascade, restores new blood growth,
collagen synthesis, new cell growth and new tissue regeneration.
The Procedure
PRP injections are simple office-based procedures. The patients’
own blood is drawn, similar to a lab test, and placed into a special syringe.
The syringe is then placed into a centrifuge that will separate the PRP
from the other blood components. The separated PRP sis then drawn into
another syringe used for injections. The entire process including the
blood sample processing and the completion of the injections will take
approximately 60 minutes. With the injections of the PRP and after the
scalp has been thoroughly numbed with local anesthetic, your physical
will use a small needling device on your scalp for stimulation of the
wound healing process. In any healing process, there is a sequence that
the body follows in order to heal itself. The first phase is called the
inflammatory phase. This is where all of the inflammatory factors initiate
the cascade of the healing process. This is then followed by the regenerative
phase where the platelets supply the growth factor and proteins called
cytokines; which signal for the body’s own stem cells.
You will be given both Pre-Procedure and Post-procedure Instructions to follow.
How Many Injections Will I Need?
For proper stimulation of the hair follicles and hair growth, it is advised
to initially have 3 PRP injections to the dormant hairs of the scalp.
Each series of injections separated by a 2 month period. Results are usually
evaluated 9 months after the first injections. Many patients elect to
have booster injections yearly.
Are You a Candidate for PRP?
The best candidates for PRP injections for hair loss usually seem to be
those patients who are in the initial years of hair loss; mostly women.
Those patients who have experienced advanced hair loss for many years
may not obtain a significant result with PRP injections alone. In these
cases, and for patients who may not want a hair transplant procedure,
there remains the option of combining the PRP injections with concentrated
stem cells.
Call Virginia Surgical Hair Center today at (888) 764-9400 to find out if you are a candidate for PRP.
Summary of PRP Procedure
- The body’s first response to the soft tissue injury is to deliver
platelet cells.
- Packed with growth and healing factors and signaling cytokines, platelets
initiate repair and attract the critical assistance of stem cells.
- PRP’s natural healing process intensifies the body’s efforts
by delivering a higher concentration of platelets directly into the area in need.
- To create PRP, a small sample of your blood is drawn and placed in centrifuge,
separating the platelets from the other blood components.
- Because your own blood is used, there is no risk of a transmissible infection
or a risk of an allergic reaction.