Hair loss is a common problem faced by both men and women all over the world. As we age, our hair starts losing its natural thickness and shine and it’s not uncommon to find hair strands in your shower drain or on your pillow.
The hair loss market is saturated with many traditional methods to help restore hair loss, but there has been a rise in the popularity of a new treatment called PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy. With the rise in popularity, many people wonder how effective PRP therapy is compared to traditional hair restoration methods.
In this blog, we will compare PRP therapy and traditional hair restoration methods and discuss the effectiveness of each.
What is PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy is a non-surgical procedure that uses your own platelets to stimulate hair growth. During the process, a small amount of your blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other components.
The concentrated platelets, rich in growth factors, are then injected into areas of your scalp where your hair is thinning to promote hair growth.
What are Traditional Hair Restoration Methods?
There are many ways to restore hair traditionally. The most popular are hair transplants, medications, and nutritional supplements.
Hair transplant involves removing hair follicles from a part of your scalp with fuller hair and transplanting them to the balding or thinning areas. It’s a surgical procedure that’s often done under anesthesia and requires downtime to heal.
There are two types of hair transplant procedures: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). FUE involves removing individual hair follicles and transplanting them to the thinning areas. FUT, also known as strip surgery, involves removing a strip of scalp from the donor area and dividing it into individual grafts for transplantation.
On the other hand, medication involves using products that contain active ingredients such as minoxidil or finasteride that reverse the hair loss process by stimulating hair follicles and extending the anagen phase (growth phase) of hair.
Supplements can also play a role in hair health. Nutritional supplements are designed to provide the necessary nutrients to slow down hair loss and improve hair quality. Their results vary, but in general, these products take time to work, have potential side effects, and usually require continued use to maintain improved hair growth.
Effectiveness of PRP Therapy
At Northwest Hair Restoration, patients find PRP can be exceedingly effective in stopping hair loss. Studies show that PRP injections have an excellent safety profile and can result in substantial hair growth after a few treatment sessions. PRP is typically more effective for early-stage hair loss or thinning hair. It works by stimulating inactive hair follicles into an active growth phase, making it ideal for individuals whose hair follicles are still capable of producing hair.
On the other hand, traditional hair transplant surgeries like FUE and FUT are more effective for advanced hair loss, where many hair follicles may have already died. These methods physically move existing hair follicles to balding areas, allowing hair to grow in places it couldn’t before.
Medications can also result in visible improvement, but the results may not be as significant in some patients. Moreover, these may cause side effects such as decreased libido, itching, and scalp irritation.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
Most people begin seeing the results of PRP injections four to six weeks after their first treatment. However, the best results are obtained after four to six months of consistent treatment. You may need several sessions to achieve optimal hair restoration, and the number of sessions may vary depending on individual factors, including the extent of your hair loss.
In contrast, surgery and medication can take anywhere from several months to over a year to reveal noticeable results.
PRP Injections for Hair Loss in Washington State
Both PRP and traditional hair restoration methods offer viable solutions for hair loss, with their effectiveness depending largely on the individual’s hair loss stage and overall health. It’s essential to consult with a professional who can provide personalized advice based on your specific circumstances.
If you’re considering a hair restoration treatment, visit us here at Northwest Hair Restoration. Our hair restoration specialist, Dr. Niedbalski, will evaluate your unique condition and recommend the most suitable treatment options. Hair transplant surgery, PRP injections for hair growth, and PRP + ACell are the most popular hair loss treatments that our hair restoration specialist recommends.
If you would like to learn more about PRP injections for hair, contact us today at (253) 572-2949 or request a consultation using our online form. We look forward to serving you!
