PRP, also known as platelet rich plasma, has increasingly become recognized for its ability to treat certain conditions including forms of hair loss as well as for skin rejuvenation.

PRP injections are beneficial for the most common form of hair loss known as androgenetic alopecia, the common hereditary form of hair thinning, but has been used to treat other forms of hair loss including alopecia areata, telogen effluvium and even scarring forms of hair loss.

PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma injections describes a procedure in which a volume of blood is drawn from your vein, the blood is spun down in a centrifuge to separate the serum from other components of the blood including red blood cells and white blood cells and the serum is then injected into the affected scalp areas.

Platelet-rich serum contains growth factors and proteins that are thought to promote hair growth. Because the serum that is injected is your own, there is no risk of your body rejecting the serum. PRP is “off label,” meaning it has not been FDA-approved for treating alopecia, but does appear to stimulate hair regrowth in most cases of pattern (hereditary) hair loss. PRP injections will not help completely bald areas regrow hair, and hair growth from PRP injections are not permanent.

For best results, 3-4 PRP injection sessions at 1 month intervals, followed by maintenance sessions at 6 to 12 month intervals are recommended. It can take several months to see the full benefit of PRP injections and we do not typically see significant hair regrowth from only 1 session of PRP injections. You should NOT receive PRP injections if you have a low platelet count, have an infection, have chronic liver disease or if you are on anti-coagulation therapy (e.g. aspirin, warfarin, Plavix, Xarelto, Eliquis)

PRP injections are significantly more effective than topical minoxidil (Rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia). PRP treatments can be used alone or in combination with minoxidil or finasteride/deutasteride, as well as with hair growth nutritional supplements.

Consult your board certified dermatologist to determine whether you are a good candidate for PRP injections.