Dr Anitta Sara Thampi, dermatologist at Bahrain Specialist Hospital, explains how a celeb favourite treatment can help those suffering from hair loss.
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy was catapulted to fame in 2013 following Kim Kardashian West’s much publicised social media ‘vampire’ facials.
The treatment has also attracted attention in the fields of plastic, orthopaedic and cardiac surgery due to the benefits of skin rejuvenation, rapid healing, reduced infection and decreased chance of hypertrophic scars and keloid formation.
The benefits of PRP in promoting hair growth have been known since 1993.
Hair loss is known to promote psychological distress, low self-esteem and depression.
Its causes are varied, including heredity, stress, hormonal changes, post pregnancy, scalp infections, dramatic weight loss, systemic conditions such as anaemia and vitamin B deficiency and a few autoimmune conditions.
Treatment options begin with managing the underlying disorder. Medical management is limited, with only a few approved medications, which may cause side effects in some patients.
PRP injections may be a valuable secondary treatment for all types of hair loss. They have an effective concentration of multiple growth factors which help in tissue repair and regeneration. Studies have even shown that hair units pre-treated with platelet plasma growth factors before their implantation for hair transplant showed stimulation of growth.
PRP involves drawing the patient’s blood and using a centrifuge machine to separate the plasma which is collected and either injected or applied onto the affected areas. These sessions are repeated every three to four weeks and significant improvement in hair density with reduced hair fall is usually noticed.
PRP hair treatment is a simple, outpatient procedure and, with its excellent safety profile, is a promising treatment option for patients with thinning hair.
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