Enhancing PRP Hair Restoration with Extracellular Matrix (ECM): A Regenerative Breakthrough at California Hair MD

Enhancing a PRP hair restoration treatment with an extracellular matrix (ECM) is an effective way to address hair loss. Aging, stress, diet, and lifestyle factors can all affect the appearance of your hair. Approximately 50% of men and women worldwide experience hair loss, ⁽¹⁾ and regenerative therapies offer potent nonsurgical approaches that can help you achieve new hair growth. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) works by increasing the growth factors in your scalp to stimulate new hair growth by supporting the hair follicles. When combined with an ECM, cells benefit from a scaffold that protects hair follicles while fostering healthy growth.

At California Hair MD, our team of specialists performs hair restoration treatments under the expert guidance of Dr. Chaffoo. Dr. Richard Chaffoo America’s Only Triple Board-Certified Hair Transplant Plastic Surgeon and a leading expert known worldwide for his innovative treatments that have helped thousands of patients address hair loss. Specialists from around the world travel to California to study his techniques and receive training. His lecture circuits include Paris, Austin, São Paulo, and Rome, and he is renowned for his innovation in regenerative hair loss treatments.

Dr. Susan Stuart is a board-certified dermatologist who sees our female patients. She is a renowned national expert who is sought after for her expertise in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating thinning hair in women. After completing her training at Emory University and Stanford, two of the top dermatology training facilities in the United States with a specialized hair loss clinic, she worked with national hair loss experts to develop a deep understanding of hair loss and deliver high-quality care to her patients.

To learn more about how our customizable, innovative treatments can help you reverse your hair loss, contact our office online or call your closest office to schedule an appointment.

About PRP Hair Restoration with Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can help you address hair loss by stimulating the hair follicles and addressing scalp inflammation. This is helpful for patients with alopecia areata, a condition characterized by scalp inflammation that results in hair loss. ⁽²⁾ Androgenic alopecia, a type of hormonal hair loss that affects approximately 30% of men by the age of 30 ⁽³⁾ and approximately 40% of women by the age of 50, ⁽⁴⁾ can also be addressed with PRP treatments.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides a structural and biochemical scaffold that supports tissue regeneration and may aid in hair follicle health. ⁽⁵⁾ It also contains collagen, a protein that helps the skin maintain its structure and elasticity.

While PRP hair restoration treatments are not a new treatment method, combining this treatment with an extracellular matrix has revolutionized the way hair restoration is approached. PRP is primarily thought to help revive dormant follicles, prolong the anagen (growth) phase, and improve hair shaft thickness. Because ECM contains collagen and its own set of growth factors, it helps to support the growth factors contained in PRP, leading to longer-lasting results. ⁽⁵⁾ Preliminary data and clinical experience suggest a potentially synergistic effect when PRP and ECM are used.

Benefits

There are several benefits to addressing hair loss with PRP and ECM treatments, including:

Candidates & Consultation

Suitable candidates for PRP hair restoration are typically those who would like to address hair loss with a minimally invasive treatment. If you received a hair transplant, we can also administer PRP with ECM to help accelerate your hair growth and improve your results.

During your consultation, we will perform a physical examination, ask about your aesthetic goals, and discuss your medical history. Please come prepared with any questions you have about the treatment to help us create an effective plan. Depending on the condition of your scalp, you may need a series of treatments over several weeks to achieve your ideal results.

Schedule your consultation today by contacting us online or by calling your closest California Hair MD location!

How to Prepare

To prepare for your treatment, you should take good care of your body and avoid excessive sun exposure that could cause damage to your skin. You should also stop smoking and refrain from taking medications and/or supplements that thin your blood. If you wear tight hairstyles, we typically recommend changing your hair care and styling routine to include looser hairstyles as well. Our staff at California Hair MD will be sure to provide you with a set of detailed preoperative instructions to ensure a smooth PRP with ECM treatment process, and will remain available to guide you and address any questions you may have.

Treatment Process

During your treatment, we will take a blood sample and purify it in a centrifuge to separate platelets and create a nutrient-rich serum with it. The serum is infused with growth factors that stimulate dormant hair follicles to encourage new growth. We can administer it to the scalp with a thin needle. This treatment is also thought to increase fibroblast activity, which helps your body produce collagen and elastin.

After Your Treatment

After your treatment, you can return to most of your normal activities as long as you avoid excessive sun exposure and take good care of your scalp. We also provide specific instructions about how to care for your scalp to promote optimal healing. You will need to avoid tight hairstyles and wearing hats for a few days. We will also provide you with additional instructions that cater to your unique medical history and treatment.

Results

After treatment, you can enjoy thicker, natural-looking hair growth. Many patients find that their hair density improves, and they can maintain long-lasting results if they practice healthy hair care. Hair growth takes time, and most patients begin to see results after a few months.

Corresponding Procedures

While PRP with ECM is an effective form of hair restoration and a popular treatment, it is not the only treatment that can address your hair loss. California Hair MD patients may benefit from combining their PRP and ECM treatments with additional treatments, which may include:

Follicular unit extraction (FUE)

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a treatment that takes hair follicles from the back of the head and places them into the scalp to increase hair density. Dr. Chaffoo and Dr. Stuart offer different types of hair transplant treatments for both straight and curly hair.

Artas i-X-i Robotic Hair Restoration

ARTAS i-X-i robotic hair restoration extracts the hair follicles with advanced AI technology that scans the scalp with stereoscopic imaging. The device places the hair follicles in an even pattern to ensure even, thick, and natural hair growth.

NeoGraft

NeoGraft uses a semi-automated technology that extracts the hair follicles with gentle suction. This allows it to harvest a larger number of follicles in a shorter time frame than other methods. During a NeoGraft treatment, we will preserve the hair follicles in a special solution before delicately placing them into the scalp to ensure that they remain viable and will be accepted into the scalp.

Cost of PRP with ECM Hair Restoration in San Diego

The cost of a PRP with ECM treatment will depend on your specific treatment plan and whether you need a series of treatments to address hair loss. You will receive a comprehensive price quote once a treatment plan is established at your consultation. Contact our office online or call us directly to schedule an appointment and explore how you can benefit from this innovative treatment.

FAQ

References

1. Ho CH, Zito PM. Androgenetic Alopecia. Nih.gov. Published May 18, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/
2. Banihashemi, Mahnaz, et al. “Platelet-rich plasma use for facial rejuvenation: a clinical trial and review of current literature.” Acta Bio Medica: Atenei Parmensis 92.2 (2021). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8182581/
3. Salman, Kubra Esen, et al. “Frequency, Severity and Related Factors of Androgenetic Alopecia in Dermatology Outpatient Clinic: Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey.” Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, vol. 92, no. 1, 2017, pp. 35–40, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5312176/, https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175241.
4. Famenini S, Slaught C, Duan L, Goh C. Demographics of women with female pattern hair loss and the effectiveness of spironolactone therapy. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2015;73(4):705-706. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.06.063
5. Yue B. Biology of the Extracellular Matrix. Journal of Glaucoma. 2014;23(8):S20-S23. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/ijg.0000000000000108