Platelet Rich Plasma Injections in St. Louis: PRP Treatment for Hair Restoration

Platelet Rich Plasma hair restoration is an innovative, non-surgical procedure that has been shown to dramatically improve hair growth and thicken existing hair.

One of the most exciting fields of regenerative medicine being used for the treatment of hair loss today is platelet-rich plasma.

What Is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Regenerative medicine itself entails using a person’s own cells to stimulate their body’s healing process. Our blood plasma includes naturally occurring active growth elements which can promote healing.

The use of platelet rich plasma injections involves drawing a few tubes of the patient’s blood and processing it in a centrifuge to separate the red blood cells and create a platelet concentration that is above normal. Many fields of medicine are excited by this new way of treating patients. 

Since the plasma is taken from the patient’s own blood, there are no issues with compatibility and rejection.

PRP Hair Treatment – The Newest Procedure For Thinning Hair

Though a relatively new form of treatment, many cosmetic professionals have already started to utilize platelet-rich plasma injections.  Used locally, they help promote results in hair restoration. This is a great alternative to traditional hair transplants.

For non-surgical treatments or as an individual hair loss treatment, current statistics show PRP hair restoration treatments are effective in slowing down hair loss in approximately 70% of the patients treated.  Improvements included:

• Creating the Appearance of a Fuller Head of Hair
• Finer Hair becoming Thicker
• A Reduction in Shedding Hair

Professionals who currently administer hair loss treatments readily promote the advantages of platelet-rich plasma therapy.

Advantages of PRP Injections include:

• The administration is a straightforward, non-surgical technique.
• Quick procedure, usually only lasting about 30-45 minutes.
• Sound and consistent results.
• Rapid recovery period.
• Extremely natural looking results.
• Great for female and male hair loss

How are PRP treatments for Hair Loss Therapy Is Administered?

To administer treatment, the plasma is injected in multiple small doses.  Injections are placed directly into the scalp with a small needle. The direct injection allows the growth elements within the blood cells to naturally stimulate hair growth in the immediate area.

Who Can Benefit from PRP Therapy for hair loss?

Platelet rich plasma hair treatments work for both women and men.  PRP for hair loss is used for hair loss patients who have areas of poor quality hair growth on the scalp.  “Poor quality” refers to areas where functioning hair follicles are still observable.

Other patients that have seen benefits from PRP therapy are those suffering from small areas of alopecia areata.  Alopecia areata is the autoimmune disorder that can contribute to hair loss.

Check with your doctor to see if this condition may be the cause of your thinning hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which is found in our blood, is permeated with proteins called growth factors. These growth factors promote and accelerate multi-injury healing. When present in high enough concentrations, PRP plasma hair restoration can battle hair loss by recruiting reparative cells to the hair follicle. When injected into the scalp, PRP stimulates inactive hair follicles and shifts them into the growth phase.

How does the treatment work?

First, we apply numbing cream to your scalp.  We then draw approximately 20 ml of blood from a vein in your hand or arm and place it in a centrifuge where the activated platelets are separated from the other component of the blood.  Using a small needle, we then inject the PRP into the scalp. The entire treatment can require between 30 to 45 minutes.

What are the risks of treatment?

Plasma is immunologically unbiased.  As such, it poses minimal risk of hypersensitivity or other symptoms of rejection since the plasma comes from the patient’s own blood.

Does platelet therapy hurt?

May patients experience a brief period of inflammation for a few hours after the treatment. It is much less painful than hair transplants.

Swelling is rare and usually only occurs on the day following treatment, around the eye and forehead areas.

Some patients experience uncomfortable and sometimes painful sensations when treatment is done under topical anesthesia. It this is a concern for you, talk to your doctor about additional options.

Does PRP for thinning hair need to be repeated?

Repeat treatments depend on the individual needs of the patients, but most patients benefit from one treatment per month for three months, then one treatment every three months thereafter.

Treatments can be repeated until the desired result has been accomplished.

When can you expect results from PRP Hair Treatment?

It may take six to twelve months for visual results to be seen after a PRP treatment. However, improvement can be measured within the Hair Mass Index several months before the visible results.

The Hair Mass Index or HMI is a mathematical depiction of the cross-section of a collection of hair that grows from an area of the scalp 2cm x 2cm. HMI provides an accurate measurement of the amount and quality of hair growing in any area. Increases in Hair Mass Index will help predict the amount of visual improvement the patient can expect.

Measurements may be taken every three months to track the plateau phase of improvement.  Once Hair Mass Index calculations begin to go down the next PRP may be planned.

How long do the benefits of a PRP Hair Treatments last?

On average most patients require repeat visits after one year to maintain the hair growth.

What is the typical recovery period?

None.  After a PRP treatment, you may go about your typical day to day activities.  Patients may shampoo and condition their hair normally the same day as treatment.

If mild inflammation becomes noticeable, it should resolve itself after several hours.  Avoid harsh chemical treatments such as coloring or permanents for at least 72 hours.

Patients will be able to resume the use of hair growth treatments and undergo laser therapy treatments after only 24 hours.

What is the PRP Cost of Injections in St. Louis?

Treatment cost is $500 per session or $475 with Transform Me Prime.  

A package of three treatments costs $1300.

PRP Therapy for Hair Loss is Your Answer to Successful Hair Restoration

Overall, platelet rich plasma is rapidly becoming a favorite option for a low-risk, minimally-invasive treatment of hair loss in St. Louis.  Its relatively easy administrative procedures and out-patient option make it a convenient and natural way to rebuild your hair’s former glory.

Contact us to receive more information about treatment options for PRP St. Louis.  We’ll help you determine if you are a good candidate for platelet-rich plasma treatments for thinning hair and other hair loss issues. 

Before you know it, you’ll be looking at yourself and remembering how it feels to be able to show off a thicker, fuller hairstyle.

We recommend one treatment per month, for three months, then one treatment every three months after that.