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IS PRP SAFE? 

According to numerous studies, PRP is a very safe treatment. However, it's important that you chose a clinic that is knowledgeable and experienced. Some PRP clinics are run without any physician supervision, and this can present concerns about safety and about patients having the proper diagnosis and safeguards prior to undergoing PRP treatments.

 

Our providers are highly educated, trained and experienced with PRP procedures. In fact, that is the only treatment we provide at our clinic. And the PRP kits/tubes we utilize are FDA-Cleared (an important question to ask any clinic you are considering). The risks that do exist with PRP are more due to the actual procedure of injection (risk of infection and poor technique) than the PRP itself.  

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WHY DOESN'T INSURANCE COVER PRP? 

Insurance does not cover PRP due to the experimental nature of PRP. That said, there are numerous studies supporting its efficacy (see below), and we are hopeful insurance will cover this procedure in the future since it has proven to be a viable treatment option for many conditions. Please check with your HSA/FSA provider if you are interested in using this as a payment method since every plan is different in terms of what they will cover (although hair loss is a medical condition, we can't guarantee coverage).

 

DO YOU USE ANESTHESIA? 
FOR HAIR PRP: A vibration tool is used for distraction anesthesia, and we use the smallest needles that exist. Most patients report minor discomfort only with our provider's technique.

FOR FACIAL/SKIN PRP: We use a very fine micro-needling pen or a thin needle that does not require topical lidocaine, and we prefer to avoid extra chemicals due to both risk of allergy and absorption into the bloodstream. Most patients report minor discomfort only. â€‹â€‹

platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

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THE PRP CENTER DIFFERENCE

 

Did you know you can use your body’s own platelts to regrow hair (1).png

WHAT IS PRP? 

PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma, is thought to provide a boost to the body’s own healing ability by taking the patient’s blood and spinning it down in a centrifuge to separate out the platelets/plasma/growth factors, which are then injected back to the affected area – whether that be the scalp, face, or skin. Once the red/white blood cells are removed, the remaining platelets/plasma are yellowish-gold in color, which is where PRP got its nickname - "liquid gold".

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What are the benefits?

  • Convenient: In-office procedure with minimal down time

  • Minimal Discomfort: Treatment is minimally uncomfortable

  • Natural: Uses your own platelets

  • Quick: The entire process takes about 20 minutes

  • Low-Risk: Low risk of side-effects since it's your 
    own blood

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​Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) FAQS

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRP and PRF/PRFM? 
PRP and PRF are slightly different preparations of the patient's blood. PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is typically spun at a faster rate than PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin) and processed slightly differently. PRF seeks to keep some of the components that PRP spins out and so it better for specific uses (as a facial filler). There is mixed evidence as to why to use one versus the other. For most of our injections the evidence supports PRP and not PRF because there is a higher platelet concentration in PRP than in PRF. However, we do like to use a slighter slower spin to keep slightly more cellular components and growth factors in the end product which gives us more of a hybrid between the PRP while keeping our platelet concentration 

HOW MUCH BLOOD IS NEEDED?
For most patients we only need 30ml of whole blood, which is similar to what they draw at your doctor's office. We use a high yield kit where we can extract a higher percent of PRP.  All of our staff are highly skilled in both blood draws, and in lab processing. 

 

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?

FOR HAIR PRP: Studies advise beginning with a series of 3-4 injections, spaced 1 month apart. After the initial series, we advise 1 injection every 6-12 months to maintain the hair growth. 

FOR FACIAL/SKIN PRP: Studies advise beginning with a series of 3-4 treatments, spaced 1 month apart. After the initial series, we recommend 1 treatment every 6-12 months to maintain results.​

 

WHAT ABOUT PRP BEFORE OR AFTER A HAIR TRANSPLANT? 

BEFORE SURGERY: PRP can be helpful before a hair transplant surgery. The treatment will thicken your roots which will help the surgeon see the hair grafts even more clearly during the surgery. Thicker, stronger grafts also mean that their chances of survival increase more than before. We would suggest that you have 1 treatment about 1 month prior to a hair transplant.

AFTER SURGERY: Many patients experience hair shedding after getting hair transplants. While this is normal and temporary, getting PRP after hair transplants can minimize hair shedding and offer quicker results. Nourishing your hair follicles with a healthy blood supply boosts the healing process and stimulates maximum hair regrowth. We would suggest that you wait at least 1 month after a hair transplant before starting the PRP injections. You can start with 3-4 injections one month apart , and then space them out to every 6-12 months to keep the hair healthy. 

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WHAT KIND OF RESULTS CAN I EXPECT? 
PRP is very effective based on the studies available. 80% of patients see improvement, whether it be hair growth, improved skin quality, or scar reduction. With Hair PRP in particular most studies show around 80% of patients will see improvement in one or more of the following: number of hair follicles per area, hair texture, reduction in shedding, and hair quality. It is important to note that results vary by person, and that results are not always visible to the naked eye, as would be the case with a reduction in shedding, or improved quality of hair.  Regarding muscle injections of PRP, most studies show great success, on the order of 80-90% of patients being happy with the progress. 

 

Below is information about some of the PRP studies that are published: 

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HAIR: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4134641/ 

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Research states that PRP injections may benefit hair loss in several ways. For example:

  • A 2022 review found that PRP may stimulate hair growth and thickness, as well as protect hair follicles from prematurely shedding.

  • A 2020 review of 13 studies found that PRP may help increase hair thickness and density.

  • A 2018 review found that PRP may trigger hair growth by increasing blood supply to the hair follicle.

 

SKIN/FACE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4338464/

 

Research shows that PRP has beneficial effects on facial rejuvenation either alone or in combination with other treatment modalities such as laser treatment,  regenerative serums, and botox treatments. Studies reveal a great potential for PRP by using the growth factors combined with platelets that render a healing effect that is essentially a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of skin acne scars and aging

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