Investigating Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Hair Loss at Aesthetica Medical

If you have experienced it, you may appreciate that hair loss can significantly impact people's emotional well-being and confidence. At Aesthetica Medical in Leeds, we focus on Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy as a promising option for hair restoration. This article explains the scientific basis of PRP, including how it works and its effectiveness in promoting hair regrowth.

What is PRP?

PRP therapy uses components from your blood, concentrating the plasma and platelets, which are critical for healing and tissue regeneration. The procedure involves drawing a small amount of your blood and then spinning it in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets in the plasma. This concentration process is fundamental, with specific centrifugation conditions such as speed and duration essential to its effectiveness.

The Role of Platelets and Growth Factors

Platelets do more than help your blood clot—they're also a source of growth factors that play a significant role in healing and regenerating tissues. When injected into your scalp, these growth factors activate hair follicles, encouraging them to enter the growth phase. Improving blood flow and stimulating the hair growth cycle can lead to thicker hair shafts and increased hair density.

The Influence of Cytokines and Hormones

The exact mechanisms are unknown, but it is thought that cytokines in PRP can help manage inflammation and immune responses, beneficial for conditions like alopecia areata. There's ongoing research into PRP's ability to influence hormones, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is known to shrink hair follicles. Although this area requires more investigation, it's a promising aspect of PRP therapy.

How PRP Works on a Cellular Level

PRP therapy aims to stimulate the dermal papilla cells at the base of hair follicles, which are necessary for initiating hair growth. It promotes the transition of hair follicles from the resting phase to the growth phase, improving the thickness and density of your hair. The growth factors in PRP trigger several biochemical pathways, like the AKT signalling pathway, which supports cell growth and proliferation, positively impacting the hair cycle.

Angiogenesis and Vascularization

The growth factors in PRP, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), can promote angiogenesis by forming new blood vessels. This improved vascularisation can provide a better supply of nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, creating a conducive environment for stem cell activation and hair growth.

PRP Treatment Process at Aesthetica Medical

The PRP treatment at Aesthetica Medical is minimally invasive and straightforward. After drawing a small amount of blood and processing it to boost platelet concentration, the PRP is injected into specific areas of the scalp. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, and patients report minimal discomfort. You can resume your daily activities immediately afterwards, with no downtime needed.

Benefits of PRP for Hair Restoration

Patients undergoing PRP treatment at our clinic report several benefits, including stimulated hair growth and improved scalp health. PRP can be particularly effective for managing androgenic alopecia, offering a safe and efficient option for combating hair thinning and loss. Potential patients should bear in mind that PRP can be a part of a hair restoration strategy but may not work for everyone. Your age, health status, and exact type of hair loss will influence your results.

The Science Behind Stem Cell Activation

PRP therapy may also play a role in activating stem cells within the hair follicle, potentially leading to new hair growth or rejuvenating dormant follicles. This activation is important for the natural hair growth cycle and represents an exciting area of research in hair restoration. The exact mechanisms of hair follicle stem cell activation are still under research.

Clinical Efficacy and Research Directions

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been explored as a potential treatment for hair loss conditions such as female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA) across various studies. These investigations have generally shown positive outcomes, indicating that PRP can be an effective treatment option.

A placebo-controlled case study focusing on FPHL found that PRP treatment led to significant improvements in scalp hair growth, with the majority of patients showing 26-75% improvement, compared to no improvement in the placebo group. (1) Further evidence supports PRP's efficacy in treating hair loss, but outcomes vary, and not all studies are conclusive. Clinical studies generally support PRP's effectiveness in treating various types of hair loss, showing significant improvements in hair thickness, density, and overall hair count. Ongoing research focuses on refining PRP preparation and application methods and investigating its combination with other treatments to improve outcomes.

A study on the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of patterned hair loss found that PRP treatment led to significant improvements in hair count and hair shaft diameter, with 32% of patients experiencing very good improvement and 48% showing good improvement. The study concluded that PRP is a promising new therapy for hair loss, although it is not yet an evidence-based treatment. (2)

Post-Treatment Care

After PRP treatment, you might notice slight sensitivity or redness at the injection sites, which typically resolves within a few hours. We recommend avoiding washing your hair or applying products for at least 24 hours post-treatment. Regular follow-up appointments at Aesthetica Medical will help monitor your progress and determine if additional sessions are needed.

PRP Therapy at Aesthetica Medical

We don’t just offer treatments without examining their efficacy and safety profiles. The safety profile of PRP is actually very good due to using your own blood products. We listen to experts in the field and perform diligent study and research.

Please contact us to book a consultation or to ask for more information about PRP for hair or any of our anti-ageing treatments. 

References:

1, Gentile, P., Garcovich, S. "The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial." Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 2015. https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5966/sctm.2015-0107

2, Cervelli, V., Garcovich, S., Bielli, A., Cervelli, G., Curcio, B. C., Scioli, M. G., Orlandi, A., & Gentile, P. "The Effect of Autologous Activated Platelet Rich Plasma (AA-PRP) Injection on Pattern Hair Loss: Clinical and Histomorphometric Evaluation." BioMed Research International, 2014. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2014/760709