PRP Hair Restoration

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair loss is a three-step, in-office procedure that can trigger natural hair growth and increase the thickness of the hair shaft by boosting blood supply to the hair follicle.

How does PRP work?

Your blood is composed of four primary components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Platelets are responsible for cell growth and regeneration. As the name suggests, platelet-rich plasma is plasma that is highly concentrated with platelets.

Platelets secrete growth factors that can help heal wounds and stimulate tissue regrowth. Growth factors work as your body’s messengers by signaling for skin cells and hair follicles to function. PRP therapy works by injecting high levels of platelets into the scalp. When these platelets reach the bottom of the hair follicle, they can stimulate the production of dermal papilla cells and encourage hair growth.

Hair loss

You’re not alone

Approximately 50 million men and 30 million women in America suffer from male- or female-pattern baldness. It can begin at any time but is most common after 50 years of age.

Hair of Austin at Austin Face & Body

A holistic approach to hair loss

Hair loss can be a distressing experience for both men and women. At Hair of Austin at Austin Face & Body, we will assess the extent of your hair loss, the underlying cause of your condition, and your age and general health, to decide upon an appropriate treatment approach. In most cases, we opt for a custom blend of procedures and medications that, when combined together, can restore your naturally thick and healthy hair.

PRP Therapy: A three-step process

Step One: The first step of PRP therapy involves drawing blood from your arm. This is the blood that will be used for the procedure.

Step Two: Next, the collected blood will be placed in a centrifuge. This machine will spin the blood to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the platelet-poor plasma and red blood cells.

Step Three: The platelet-rich plasma will be injected into areas of your scalp that are in need of new hair growth.

The entire procedure takes about 45 minutes to complete, depending on the size of the treatment area. After your appointment, the injection site may be sore for up to three days. You may resume hair coloring treatments one week after PRP therapy. Your full results will be apparent within six months, and we recommend maintenance treatments every four to six months.

FAQ

How effective is PRP hair restoration?

Most of the research on the effectiveness of PRP hair restoration has centered on its ability to treat androgenetic alopecia. A 2019 review of this research – including eleven research papers with 262 patients with androgenetic alopecia – found that PRP injections reduced hair loss and increased thickness and density of hair re-growth.

How long will the results last?

Although an effective treatment for hair loss, PRP cannot cure the condition. You will need multiple treatments to see optimal results, and then maintenance visits moving forward to maintain your new hair.

Is it safe?

PRP therapy is considered very safe when it’s performed by a trained medical provider. Because your own blood is used for the procedure, there is no risk of allergic or foreign-body reactions. The only risks it’s associated with are mild, and include pain, redness, headaches and temporary hair shedding.

Is it painful?

Everyone has different pain tolerances. At most, our Austin patients report mild to moderate discomfort with PRP injections.

How much does it cost?

We will review your expected investment with you during your initial consultation. Although PRP therapy does cost more than shampoos, vitamins, and medications – most of our patients feel the results are worth it.

Are you a candidate?

We can confirm candidacy during your private consultation. However, we typically recommend PRP hair restoration for patients who are diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia – or male pattern or female pattern baldness. This is because the research confirms that it’s a successful treatment approach for this condition.

In addition, we find that the therapy works best for patients with early signs of hair loss. It’s simply easier to stimulate hair follicles that have only been dormant for a short period of time. Please let us know if you have a history of bleeding disorders or autoimmune disease, as these conditions may impact your candidacy.

Planning your treatment:

Alternatives to PRP therapy

Although it’s very effective and an appealing choice for many of our patients, PRP therapy is far from the only option available for treating hair loss. At Hair of Austin, we offer a number of alternatives – and often prescribe a combination of approaches to ensure optimal results.

If you are interested in a surgical solution, follicular unit extraction, strip harvesting, and flap surgery can all create lasting improvement. We can discuss these alternatives with you during your private consultation and help you decide which blend of treatments is in your best interest.

The history of PRP therapy

PRP as a concept began in the field of hematology in the 1970s. At the time, hematologists used the term to define blood with high platelet counts, which was then used for blood transfusions for patients with low platelet counts.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the use of PRP expanded. Surgeons began using it in the operating room to close wounds, boost cell growth, and reduce inflammation during maxillofacial surgery, skin grafting procedures, and periodontal surgery.

From there, it became used in orthopedics to help with bone grafts, fractures, sports injuries and more. Today, therapy can be found in virtually every field of medicine – including plastic surgery, gynecology, urology, cardiac surgery, and more. Because PRP can also reduce scarring, it can play an important role in improving post-surgical and burn scars as well.

Providers who perform PRP Hair Restoration at Hair of Austin

Dr. Sean Paul

Dr. Sean Paul is the founder of Hair of Austin at Austin Face & Body. As a widely published surgeon who has traveled all over the world to speak, Dr. Paul is renowned and highly regarded in his industry. He specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid and facial plastic surgery in Austin, and is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Sean Paul »

Dr. Jeanie Lujan

Dr. Lujan is an American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in both cosmetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Jeanie Lujan »

Dr. Chris Schneider

Dr. Chris Schneider is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, who also specializes in microsurgery. He is a native Texan who is proud to return home to the Lone Star State after nearly a decade of intense surgical training.

Dr. Chris Schneider »

Schedule a consultation today

PRP hair restoration is a powerful therapy that can help you regain full and healthy hair. To learn more about this treatment and determine if it’s right for you, please contact Austin Face & Body today and schedule a consultation.