Long, luscious locks. You had them when you were younger, but now you may notice your hair starting to thin out. Do you look at old photos only to be jealous of how much hair you once had?
You might feel like you’re losing hair faster than ever. Perhaps you’ve researched hair restoration treatments, but not all may seem like a good fit for you because of the long recovery periods or daily medications.
Are you looking for a safer, more natural treatment? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a cutting-edge way to restore your hair without any incisions or medications. If you’ve never heard of it, the experts at Texas Wellness Clinic, located in Richmond, Texas are here to tell you the basics and why you should consider it.
More than half of men experience hair loss by the time they reach 50, and many women, too.
The most common type of hair loss in men and women is caused by androgenic alopecia, which is triggered by genes received from your parents. More than three million Americans face androgenic alopecia causing thinning and shedding of the hair.
Hair loss can also be caused by:
Though some hair loss can be reversed, this is usually not the case. Luckily, there are a variety of hair restoration treatments like PRP that can give you thicker, fuller hair again.
PRP was originally used in the 1970s to treat patients with blood containing low levels of platelets. Since then, it has been used to speed the healing of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions like torn ligaments and injured tendons. More recently, PRP has been used in cosmetic treatments like the Vampire Facial and to help with hair restoration.
Ijeoma Linda Bethel, DNP, and her team use PRP to stimulate healthy hair growth in men and women experiencing hair loss. Here’s what to expect in a PRP appointment.
When you come into our office, Dr. Bethel explains the treatment in full and answers any questions you may have. First, she draws one to two ounces of blood from your arm and spins it in a centrifuge to separate its components. Next, she prepares the platelet-rich plasma sample in our lab which takes about 30 minutes.
Lastly, she draws the PRP into a syringe and injects it directly into your scalp in places you’re balding. Most patients tolerate the procedure well and don’t describe it as hurting, but only slightly uncomfortable.
Dr. Bethel can administer a local anesthetic to your scalp if you want an extra level of comfort. Most patients need one to three PRP treatments spaced about a month apart to get the results they want.
You only get one body in this life. That’s why you have to treat it in the best way possible. Although many cosmetic products and treatments contain toxic substances, PRP uses your body’s healing system to provide safe, and effective results.
The secret behind PRP lies in your blood. Composed of liquids and solids, your blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. PRP focuses on using just two parts: plasma and platelets.
Plasma helps your body recover from injury and distribute nutrients to your cells. This is especially useful in stimulating hair growth in dormant follicles.
Platelets contain high amounts of growth factors — proteins that aid your body in wound healing and cell proliferation. When used in PRP for hair loss, platelets help extend the growth cycle of your hair follicles leading to thicker, stronger strands.
If you like what you hear about PRP so far, you’re probably wondering what the results are like. Even though PRP provides impressive results, it’s important to note they aren’t immediate.
You’ll notice thicker hair shafts and the growth of new hairs about two weeks after treatment. The results of your treatment peak around four to six months as the growth cycle of new hair takes three months to sprout. Most of our patients agree that fuller thicker, fuller hair that you can run your fingers through is worth the wait.
PRP is a new solution for hair regrowth but so far has shown impressive results. In a 2019 clinically controlled study, PRP injections provided better results compared to Rogaine®. No downtime is associated with PRP, making it a great option for patients with busy lifestyles who can’t afford a long recovery.
See how PRP can restore your hair today. Call us at 361-298-3362 to schedule your consultation, or book with us online.
