If you’re looking for a way to reverse hair loss and male pattern baldness, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a safe and effective option for hair loss, which have shown positive results in recent studies. Whether you are a man or a woman, losing your hair can be upsetting, but there are treatments available to alleviate some of the distress caused by hair loss. There are solutions to losing your hair, and they may be more accessible than you think.
Who Can Benefit from Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment For Hair Loss?
Firstly it is important to note that PRP injections are not suitable for hair loss caused by illness. They are also not advised for people suffering from hair loss as a side-effect of certain drugs, including chemotherapy. PRP injections are mainly recommended for men and women suffering from age-related hair loss. Male pattern baldness, menopausal hair loss, and general thinning of the hair are likely to be improved by a course of PRP injections.
By utilising your body’s own tissue to regenerate your hair follicles, PRP injections help the body to rejuvenate the follicles, allowing them to grow new, healthy hair. There are no harsh drugs, chemicals or procedures involved in the therapy, making it one of the safest hair loss therapies available.
The treatment is available at many private clinics around the country, but is it available on the NHS? First let’s take a look at what PRP injections are, how they are administered, and how they help with hair loss.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment?
During PRP treatment, a small amount of blood is taken from your arm by a doctor. This blood is then transferred to a centrifuge (think super-high-powered blender), which spins the blood until it separates. Once the liquid is separated, you are left with three substances: platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma, and red blood cells. Next, the doctor injects the platelet-rich plasma into your scalp to rejuvenate the tissue and increase hair growth. The platelet-rich plasma boosts the follicles and helps the hair grow.
As for the number of treatments required – it really depends on the person. However, most PRP clinics recommend at least three initial treatments one month apart before a positive result is noticed. Be prepared to commit to at least three treatments and then a maintenance session once a year for as long as you want to see results.
How Effective are PRP Treatments for Hair Loss?
A 2017 review of recent studies on PRP injections on hair loss found that 10 out of 12 studies showed PRP injections were effective in increasing terminal hair density and diameter. While more studies need to be carried out on PRP injections and their effectiveness against hair loss, these initial results are positive.
What Else Are PRP Injections Used For?
PRP injections are used in a number of treatments. In a medical setting, PRP injections are normally used on sports injuries. World-class athletes such as Tiger Woods and Jermain Defoe have used PRP injections to get back to optimal fitness. And celebrities have embraced the treatment in the form of facials (sometimes known as ‘vampire facials’). Stars such as Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian are known to have PRP injections in their faces to keep them looking young and beautiful.
What Are The Benefits of PRP Injections?
PRP therapy is incredibly safe. As the injections contain your own cells, there is no risk of allergic reaction or rejection. This means that the therapy is quick – you can pop into the clinic and be back at work within an hour. What’s more, there is only a slight risk of soreness, so you can continue with your day. And because there are no drugs to take, there is no risk of drowsiness, and driving isn’t impaired.
Can You Get PRP Injections on the NHS?
Currently, the NHS only offers PRP injections for sports injuries and ailments such as tennis elbow, as it is remarkably effective at rejuvenating damaged tissue. Very few treatments for hair loss are available on the NHS, and most GPs will suggest you look into private options.
At the moment, PRP injections for hair loss are only available through private clinics, and prices may vary, so keep an eye out for seasonal offers. They are normally priced between £300 and £500 per session, depending on the clinic. However, you are likely to be able to buy PRP injections for hair loss as part of a package, bringing down the cost.
It is also important to remember that once you have achieved your desired result, you will only have to have one treatment per year to maintain the effect. This means that PRP injections for hair loss are a manageable and cost-effective way to maintain a fuller head of hair once the initial result is achieved.