Whether it’s due to genetics, stress, illness, or other factors, hair loss can be an emotionally and physically draining experience. Thankfully, Le Beau Visage Medical Spa in Frisco, TX, offers PRP hair growth treatment to help restore natural fullness and vitality to your hair. But just how long does hair restoration take?
How Long Does Hair Restoration Take?
Hair restoration can be a long process, typically taking 6 to 12 months to see results. Both the length of time and the results vary from person to person, so it is important to have realistic expectations going in. During this waiting period, clients will experience some shedding around week 6. After that, however, new growth starts to become visible within a few months, with continual improvement over time until the desired outcome is achieved.
What Is PRP Treatment for Hair Growth
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a natural serum derived from the patient’s own blood. PRP therapy began as an effective treatment for various musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries, thanks to its high concentration of platelets and growth factors. The PRP extraction process begins by drawing blood from the patient’s vein with a syringe. The blood is placed into a centrifuge where it is spun to separate its components.
This sophisticated technique allows us to isolate erythrocytes and leukocytes from their plasma, leaving behind platelets. The doctor then concentrates those platelets up to eight times more than what is naturally found in human whole blood. Finally, the highly concentrated PRP solution is prepared for injection into the site of treatment.
Increasing Hair Volume
As mentioned above, PRP injections use your body’s own plasma, which contains many powerful growth factors that possess regenerative and healing properties. When they are injected into the scalp, these growth factors immediately go to work. They help boost the blood and nutrient supply to surrounding follicles to create an optimum environment for the generation of thicker hair shafts.
Types of Growth Factors Found in PRP Solutions
1. Epidermal Growth Factors (EGF)
Epidermal growth factor is needed for cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration in many tissues, including skin and hairs. Studies show that EGF promotes hair follicle stability and improves the overall health of follicles. This is likely due to the fact that EGF stimulates the proliferation and migration of follicular outer root sheath cells to maintain an intact hair strand.
Additionally, by stimulating the production of vascular endothelial growth factor, EGF helps increase vascularization around atrophied follicles. This helps strengthen dermal and epidermal interactions in hair-bearing skin.
2. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)
Fibroblast growth factor is a protein that is found throughout the body and has many different functions, one of them being to help stimulate new cell growth. FGF helps to improve blood flow through angiogenesis as well as trigger new tissue formation. Its role in hair restoration is especially beneficial as it has been found to stimulate the formation of new hair follicles and support existing ones in growing healthy strands.
In addition, this protein boosts the production of keratin, a fibrous structural component of hair shafts. This makes FGF an effective component for restoring hair health as well as creating a perfect environment for thick and healthy strands to grow.
3. Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)
Transforming growth factor is a crucial signaling protein in the body, specifically for its role in regulating hair follicle formation and cycling. It works by promoting the elongation of hair follicles, allowing old hairs to shed from the scalp and new ones to form.
4. Plasma-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
Telogen is a resting phase in the hair growth cycle. In contrast, anagen is the active hair growth phase, during which the follicle obtains nourishment from its root to support healthy growth. PDGF is known to induce the anagen phase of the hair cycle. This helps hair to grow to its optimal length while also maintaining strength and elasticity.
What Are the Benefits of PRP Hair Growth Treatment?
1. Poses No Risk
For many people, the thought of a hair transplant procedure causes quite a bit of anxiety. The fear of surgery and potential adverse reactions often deters them from going through with the procedure. Thankfully, that is not the case with PRP hair growth treatment.
This revolutionary breakthrough in medicine uses platelets from a person’s own blood to stimulate new hair growth and avoid surgical complications. This means that there is no risk of adverse reactions as no foreign substances are introduced into the body. Additionally, there is minimal to no scarring and one can return to work immediately after each session.
2. Increases the Diameter of the Existing Hair
The presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in follicular keratinocytes accelerates hair regrowth and increased size of hair follicles. With PRP therapy, new hairs can emerge thicker than before, visibly restoring confidence with every treatment session.
3. Strengthens Thinning Hair
Hair thinning is an issue that affects both men and women. It can be caused by hormonal changes in the body, age, health conditions, and hereditary factors. In general, the thinning process begins with a reduction in the size of the hair follicle. Hair thinning also means that hair follicles are no longer able to absorb sufficient amounts of nutrients, resulting in weaker and finer strands of hair. This can often culminate in outright pattern baldness.
Once signs of thinning start to show, it can be almost impossible for hair to grow back on its own without medical intervention. Fortunately, PRP contains many growth factors that can help strengthen existing hair strands by encouraging natural regrowth.
4. Darkens the Hair
One question that we are often asked by patients seeking PRP hair growth treatment is whether the injections will darken their hair. The answer is a resounding yes! To understand how PRP treatments can help your hair become darker, it’s important to comprehend the science behind the process.
The natural color of hair comes from the melanin produced by special cells called melanocytes, which are found inside the hair follicles. When the regenerative properties of PRP are injected into your scalp, they stimulate melanogenesis, triggering an increase of melanin. This gives your hair a noticeably darker hue.
5. Reduces Fat Dandruff
Fat dandruff is a type of scalp condition that causes flaky buildup on the scalp due to excess sebum production coupled with accumulation of haircare products. This buildup can lead to an itchy and dry scalp, which sometimes is so uncomfortable that sufferers are driven to scratch their heads vigorously, causing further irritation. Continued scratching can weaken hair follicles and even lead to partial hair loss.
Fortunately, PRP injections can help revitalize the scalp and dramatically reduce fat dandruff. By leveraging the restorative powers of your own blood, PRP helps remove dead skin cells, hydrates the skin, and reduces inflammation on the scalp.
How Many Sessions Does It Take for PRP To Work?
It can take anywhere from two to four sessions for one to see the full effects of this type of therapy. With each subsequent session, hair typically begins to increase in both volume and length until desired results are achieved. As treatments may vary on a case-by-case basis, it’s crucial to consult with a practitioner for more detailed information about the number of sessions required to see full results.
Does PRP Regrow Hair Permanently?
While PRP will not guarantee a permanent fix for all types of hair loss, the benefits are long lasting. Patients who undergo PRP therapy can expect results that can last anywhere from 18-24 months with follow-up treatments once every year to maintain these effects.
How Long Does Each Treatment Session Last?
A typical treatment session generally lasts between 30 and 90 minutes. During the first part of the session, we’ll draw blood from the patient’s arm. The blood sample is then spun in a centrifuge to separate out the platelet-rich plasma. The PRP is then applied to the thinning or balding sections of the scalp through tiny injections.
To finish off, each patient is provided with aftercare instructions regarding caring for their scalp. At every step, we provide support and guidance to ensure positive results from PRP treatments!
Get Fuller, More Voluminous Hair Today
PRP hair restoration is an effective solution for those dealing with thinning or patchy hair. While results vary depending on the individual, you should start seeing improvements in 6-12 months after treatment. To learn more about how you can benefit from PRP hair restoration at our state-of-the-art facility, call us today at Le Beau Visage Medical Spa in Frisco, TX.
