PRP, The New Era Of Hair Revival

Hair loss is a deeply personal and often distressing experience, affecting both men and women across all ages. Over 50% of people will experience some form of hair loss during their lifetime. And in the UK, approximately 14.5 million people (that is about 6.5 million men and 8 million women) are affected by hair loss.​

It can be caused by genetics, hormonal changes, stress, or alopecia areata (an autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss, affecting approximately 400,000 people across the country).

Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men, with up to 85% (in the UK) and 50% (around the globe) of men experiencing it by the time they reach 50. Whereas up to 75% of women in the UK experience thinning or hair loss at some point in their lives and around 40% of women will experience visible hair loss by the age of 40 worldwide. And it can have profound psychological effects, impacting self-esteem and quality of life.

Fortunately, modern medicine continues to offer solutions that are both innovative and minimally invasive. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy for hair restoration. Short for Platelet-Rich Plasma, PRP is a component of your blood that is rich in growth factors. These growth factors play a crucial role in healing and regeneration with up to 90% of patients with androgenic alopecia experiencing visible improvement in hair density and thickness after undergoing PRP treatments, according to multiple clinical studies.

How Platelet-Rich Plasma Stimulates Hair Growth

PRP is a natural, science-backed treatment that is created by taking a small sample of your blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other blood components, and then injecting this concentrated plasma directly into the scalp where hair thinning or loss is occurring. Due to your own blood being used, the risk of allergic reactions or immunological responses is virtually 0%. According to a 2020 systematic review published in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery journal, serious adverse events were not reported in any of the reviewed studies using PRP for hair loss.

Remember, your hair follicles, like any other tissue in the body, require nourishment and proper blood supply to function optimally. When they become weak or dormant, the special growth factors found in PRP therapy help improve blood flow (full of oxygen and nutrients) to your hair follicles and wake up the sleepy hair follicles by stimulating the stem cells in the area, encouraging them to get back to work and start growing hair again.

Therefore, a series of PRP treatments (depending on your needs) can make your hair feel thicker and stronger by reinforcing the strands and reducing breakage over time. To give you an idea, on average, 3 to 4 sessions spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart are recommended initially, followed by maintenance every 4 to 6 months for optimal and longer-lasting results.

Other PRP Benefits Beyond Hair Restoration

One of the great things about PRP is that it is simple and safe. Infection is extremely rare (under 1%) when performed by a professional within clinical settings since it uses autologous material. No reports of scarring, tumour formation, or vascular complications in PRP hair therapy have been confirmed in published literature.

Of course, unbeknownst to many, PRP not only helps grow new hair, but also makes your current hair healthier, stronger, and shinier!

Another plus point is that Platelet-Rich Plasma injections are suitable for almost everyone. However, having said that, it is important to book a consultation with a qualified medical professional beforehand to confirm whether or not it is suitable for you. This is because this scalp restoration therapy may not be suitable if you are completely bald, have a lot of scarring on your scalp, have specific blood disorders or issues with how your platelets work, or have an active scalp infection. Similarly, if you are a smoker, it can slow down healing too. 

Our Last Few Words

According to a RealSelf survey, PRP for hair loss holds an 84% "Worth It" rating based on user reviews. PRP therapy for hair restoration is also one of the fastest-growing uses of PRP. Simply because more and more people are looking for safe, natural, and non-surgical solutions to help regain the hair they once had. To put it into perspective, the global PRP market size was valued at £380.8 million in 2022 and is projected to reach £960 million by 2032.

And as research moves forward, PRP treatments are getting better and better and even more refined. So, if you are starting to notice extra strands in your brush or your part getting wider, it might be time to talk to a trusted provider about Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy because sometimes, the best way to move forward is to get back to your roots.