The first step in any procedure is to schedule a consultation. This is the perfect time for asking any questions and answering any concerns you are having about the procedure itself. The sole purpose of the consultation is to make the experience as comfortable as possible for you.
During the procedure
- The first step in PRP Therapy procedure is donating blood to yourself. You will sit in a chair and a nurse will draw between 60-100 ml of blood from your arm. This blood will be placed in a special container that will run through a centrifuge. During this process, the centrifuge will spin the blood, which will separate the plasma divide it into the different components. The process takes about 15 minutes – after which, the nurse will use the concentrated platelets that are ready to be applied to the scalp. The concentrated platelets are Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). These cells promote the hair growth and healing process in your scalp.
- The doctor will then apply a topical anesthetic to numb the areas of the scalp that will be receiving treatment. After the area is sufficiently numb, the scalp will be stimulated by a micro-needling tool. This new rolling device has been a major medical breakthrough in the cosmetic procedure world and many physicians are using it. The roller uses 192 individual titanium needles to gently pierce the skin and create very small micro wounds that will ready the scalp for PRP injections. The micro-needling procedure will activate the healing process in the scalp because the needling device creates microtrauma. Growth repairs cells will be triggered in the lower layer of the scalp that will begin to regenerate the hair follicle.
- Immediately following the micro-needling, the PRP is injected into the scalp in the same areas.
- The final stage of the therapy will be very quick. An occlusive dressing is applied to the scalp and a photodynamic treatment will be carried out. This step will significantly enhance the results of PRP Therapy. There should be little to no discomfort during the procedure.
Care After the Procedure
The entire PRP Therapy process should take approximately two hours depending on the degree of hair loss. There will be slight inflammation at the wound site, and mild pain or discomfort may occur where the PRP was injected into the scalp. This will cause the area of the scalp to be tender to the touch for a few days. Dr. Rapaport will send you home with a detailed care plan for ensuring optimal results of new hair growth.
A few restrictions will apply to every patient following the procedure. These restrictions include:
- Avoid the sun, as well as exposure to chemicals and styling products until the healing process is 100%.
- Do not take any anti-inflammatory medicine or blood-thinning medications like aspirin. This will interfere with the natural healing process of PRP.
- Effects of PRP Therapy will happen over time and most patients will need yearly treatments to keep up the growth and regeneration of the hair follicles, especially if the hair loss is due to genetics.
- PRP has very little complications and is considered to not pose any danger to allergy, hypersensitivity, or foreign-body reactions.
- The success rates and degree of new hair growth will vary greatly from person to person; however, clinics that are currently using PRP Therapy are reporting success rates averaging 80%.
How to get started?
If you prefer a non-invasive treatment for your hair loss, then PRP for Hair Loss with Dr. Rapaport is an excellent option. Ready to get started? Call us right now: 201-470-6297