Did you know one of the most common skin concerns brought up in dermatology offices worldwide is hair loss? Did you also know that upwards of 57% (73% for men) of individuals will experience hair loss by age 80? Trust me when I tell you that you are not alone!
Hair loss, specifically androgen alopecia, is a condition where hormone changes affect the thickness and density of your hair, making it increasingly sparse over time. While some may notice changes as they get older, androgen alopecia can affect patients of all ages.
So, what do patients do to reclaim their hairline and confidence? Typically, patients who suffer from androgen alopecia are treated with prescribed topical or oral medication to help with hair regrowth. However, for patients with severe cases, that might not be enough. That is where more advanced treatments like PRP injections and hair transplants come into play!
What are PRP injections?
PRP injections, otherwise known as platelet-rich plasma, are when your own growth factor is injected into your hairline to promote cell regrowth in the form of hair. Now, I know this blog touches on hair loss specifically, but PRP is used in various medical fields, from IVF to joint healing, as it jumpstarts cell production wherever it is injected. Obviously, when it comes to PRP injections where the hair may be sparse or balding, the growth factor aids in restoring the hair, achieving fuller and thicker locks!
To do so, your dermatologist or skin care physician will draw your blood, which will then be centrifuged to separate the platelet-rich plasma, a.k .a. your body’s natural fertilizer. Once extracted, it is injected into the scalp for hair restoration.
The best part? Since PRP promotes natural cell regrowth, your results will be natural. Paired with high success rates and no downtime, there is a reason it has become increasingly popular over the years!
Please note: PRP should be combined with other treatments, such as RX Topicals and other topical nutrients like NTCF boosters, for optimal results.
PRP for Hair Loss Result Timeline
Based on your consultation with your skin care physician, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, she can prescribe a treatment plan for your unique hair concerns. Depending on her assessment, she may recommend 2-3 treatments six weeks apart. You can expect optimal results from 6-12 months following your treatment.
What is a hair transplant?
Now, let’s jump into transplants!
Despite common belief, a hair transplant and PRP injections differ in many ways. Unlike minimally invasive PRP injections, a hair transplant is a procedure where a restoration surgeon will remove a graft of healthy hair from another area of your body (back of scalp, chest, etc.) known as the donor location and “plant” it into the treatment area.
This procedure is more invasive as the donor location must be stitched up, and the transplant itself can result in bleeding, bruising, swelling, itching and overall discomfort for up to 2 weeks post-operation.
Hair transplant result Timeline
Following a hair transplant, you can expect hair to fall out three weeks post-treatment. Following that initial shedding phase, your hair will start to regrow, and you can expect optimal results between 6-12 months post-transplant.
Which one is best for you?
You now know the difference between PRP and hair transplants, but the question remains: What is best for you?
The answer? It depends!
Depending on your unique medical history, your skin care physician can guide you to the right decision. If PRP is right for you, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim can support you in the office. On the other hand, if Dr. Shehla Ebrahim does not think PRP is the right fit for you, she may encourage you to seek an opinion from a hair transplant surgeon.
With that being said, more and more people are leaning toward PRP for hair loss as it offers excellent results, is more economical, and is less invasive than a hair transplant.
Book Your PRP Consultation
If you are seeking PRP treatment for androgen alopecia, you’re in luck, as Vancouver Skin Care Physician Dr. Shehla Ebrahim is now accepting new clients. To book your consultation, please click HERE!