If your hair is thinning or falling out, and it’s affecting your self-confidence, it’s time to consider the benefits of minimally invasive platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair loss.
As a board-certified dermatologist, David A. Bushore, MD, can restore your hair and your satisfaction with your appearance with PRP injections. At Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics, Dr. Bushore and his team can use this natural substance to improve your hair’s growth and thickness without the need for surgery.
Men and women can both lose hair because of a condition known as androgenetic alopecia.
In men it can also be referred to as male-pattern baldness. With men, over time, the hairline can recede, forming an M shape at the front of the head and thin on the top of the head as well. The hair loss can progress until a man is partially or totally bald.
In women, androgenic alopecia, or female-pattern alopecia, causes thinning at the crown (top) of the head. However, over time, all the hair on the head can become thinner. Women rarely become totally bald because of this condition.
In many cases, androgenetic alopecia is the result of genetic and environmental factors. You may be more likely to lose your hair if you have a family history of the condition or if you have medical conditions that cause an imbalance in your androgen hormones, which is the male sex hormone that plays a role in sexual development and hair growth.
Platelet-rich plasma is a substance found naturally in your blood. The plasma contains growth factors that are important for regenerating and rebuilding damaged tissues. These proteins also help clot your blood to stop bleeding after an injury.
First, board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD, takes a sample of your blood. Then Dr. Bushore puts it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other components in your blood.
Dr. Bushore then takes this high concentration of PRP and injects it into certain areas of your scalp to encourage new hair growth.
PRP injections help stimulate the regeneration of your follicular cells and also help improve their health and function. Healthy follicles are able to produce thicker and stronger hair at a faster rate.
It can take several weeks for you to see the full benefits of PRP therapy. You should see an increase in hair growth within a few weeks of treatment as your follicles improve. To optimize your results, Dr. Bushore may recommend a series of PRP injections over the course of several weeks spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
To keep your hair thick and healthy, you can receive maintenance injections every six months. These injections can also reduce the likelihood of additional hair loss.
If your hair has become visibly thinner, or if you notice a receding hairline, you can schedule a diagnostic evaluation with board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD. Dr. Bushore can review your personal and family medical history to ensure you’re a good candidate for PRP therapy.
In general, PRP therapy is safe and effective for treating hair loss. However, if you have an underlying thyroid disease, a blood disorder, or take blood-thinning medications, PRP injections may not be right for you. If you’re a heavy smoker, Dr. Bushore may also not recommend PRP therapy.You can do something about thinning hair and hair loss. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics today.
