Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair loss is a 3-step medical treatment in which a person’s blood is drawn, processed and then injected into the scalp.
The Process
- Blood is drawn – typically from the arm – and put into a centrifuge (a machine that spins rapidly to separate fluids of different densities)
- After 5-10 minutes in the centrifuge, the blood will have separated into 3 layers:
- platelet-poor plasma
- Platelet-rich plasma
- Red blood cells
3. The platelet-rich plasma is drawn up into a syringe and then injected into areas of the scalp that need increased hair growth
Platelets are one of four primary components of blood. They promote cell growth and regeneration.
As the term “ platelet-rich plasma” suggests, platelets are generally about 5 times more concentrated in PRP than in regular blood. This concentration is useful because platelets secrete growth factors that assist in wound healing and tissue regrowth.
Platelets, injected deep into the scalp to reach the bottom of the hair follicle may stimulate a specialized population of cells named dermal papilla cells, which play a critical role in hair growth.
