By Kent H. Webb MD, FACS
Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP as it is often referred to has been proven to be an effective treatment for hair loss in many patients. Although it is not a solution for everyone, there are certain groups of patients that PRP can be an ideal option to restore or promote hair growth. Candidates that I consider best for PRP Hair Restoration treatments fall into several categories. Women and men with early stages of hair loss, women and men that have had hair transplants and no longer have donor hair available, and post-transplant patients with delayed growth, to name a few.
Until recently, the most efficacious PRP treatment regime was unclear and treatment patterns varied around the world at different hair loss clinics. A recent study compared two different approaches and found statistically significant evidence that one pattern of treatment provides better results than the other. The results of this study were recently published in the September 2018 issue of The Journal of Dermatologic Surgery. This study compared two groups treated with two commonly used treatment patterns to determine which one provided the best results. Group 1 was treated twice, initially then at 3 months for a total of two treatments. Group 2 was treated every four weeks for a total of 3 treatments with a booster treatment given at 3 months. Results were analyzed at 3 and 6 months following completion of treatment and scored upon restoration of hair density and patient satisfaction. The results indicated that group 2 had significantly better results than group 1. Although one would naturally think that four treatments will provide better results than two, I do not think it is the total number of treatments that is the key factor in the difference between the results of the two regimens. I believe that it is the short interval between initial treatments in group 2 and the cumulative effects of stimulating the hair follicles aggressively as the PRP treatments are initiated. By stimulating the hair follicles every four weeks with the biochemical milieu released by the PRP I think this initial intensity is the key factor in the improved benefits seen in group 2. This regime has been used at Advanced Hair Restoration of Oklahoma for the majority of our patients. Aggressive treatment for the first 3-4 months followed by treatment every 3-6 months has been my approach to these patients from the beginning. We now have scientific evidence that this frequency of treatments provides better results than simply treating every three months.
If you are losing your hair or have areas where the hair appears to be thinning, Platelet Rich Plasma treatments may be a treatment option for you. To determine if this is a reasonable option for you consider a free consultation by Dr. Kent Webb at Advanced Hair Restoration of Oklahoma.