Platelet-rich Plasma, also known as PRP, is a concentrated plasma serum that can help heal, restore, and rejuvenate one’s skin and hair with nourishing growth factors. The PRP formula is derived from a sample of the patient’s own blood and can contain more than 20 different types of growth factors. (1)
At California Hair MD, Dr. Richard Chaffoo is America’s Only Triple Board Certified Hair Transplant Plastic Surgeon. As a pioneer in hair restoration, Dr. Chaffoo teaches and trains other plastic surgeons at the annual Aesthetic Society meeting. He has conducted seminars and live hair restoration surgery training for other physicians from across the USA and overseas. He is invited to lecture globally on hair loss at numerous international meetings in Australia, Europe, and South America. He is also involved in cutting-edge research with local biotech companies and colleagues at UCSD to help develop new ways to restore hair growth. Dr. Chaffoo has published extensively and has published a book for the public on the medical and surgical treatment of hair loss in men and women.
Dr. Chaffoo’s office has been designated a “Center of Excellence” on the West Coast for robotic hair restoration. It is also the only practice in the country led by both a double-board-certified dermatologist and a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with over 50+ years of combined experience. Dr. Susan Stuart specializes in nonsurgical treatments and sees all of our female patients at California Hair MD to provide personalized, attentive care.
To schedule a personal consultation at our office about adding PRP injections to your hair transplant, please call (800) 373-4773 or contact us online.
We offer consultations at our various Southern California offices, including:
- San Diego
- La Jolla
- Newport Beach
- Beverly Hills
Contents
About PRP
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated solution of platelets obtained from a sample of the patient’s blood. The platelets are obtained by separating the plasma and red blood cells through the use of a centrifuge. The resulting serum contains numerous growth factors that can help repair and regenerate tissue. These platelets specifically promote the formation of new blood vessels, also known as angiogenesis, which can help activate and awaken dormant hair follicles, as well as stimulate collagen production. (2) PRP is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties, minimizing potential discomfort in patients following their treatment.
How Does PRP Work?
PRP contains over 20 different types of growth factors (1) alongside small proteins called cytokines, which can help form new blood vessels, influence inflammation, and encourage cell growth. The different growth factors interact with each other on a cellular level, activating certain pathways that signal and influence hair growth. (3)
Dr. Chaffoo has introduced the only PRP technique to the region using dual spin technology, creating the most concentrated formula available as a single treatment session. Our PRP formula makes other PRP formulas obsolete and outdated. Other clinics use single-spin technology to create much less concentrated growth factors and therefore need multiple treatments to obtain any benefit. To learn more about the different hair transplant procedures that your PRP injections can complement, please read our blog.
Benefits of PRP in Hair Transplantation
There are many reasons why a patient would be interested in adding PRP injections to their hair transplantation. These benefits include:
- Reduced recovery time: PRP contains growth factors and proteins that can help promote cell and tissue regeneration. PRP also contains anti-inflammatory properties, leading to an overall reduction in healing time when administered to the scalp.
- Reduced amount of shock loss: Shock loss is the shedding of hair immediately following hair transplantation due to surgical stress on the scalp. The growth factors found in PRP help strengthen the hair follicles, preventing unnecessary or excessive shedding. (4)
- Encourages new growth: PRP can be used as its own hair restoration treatment due to its ability to stimulate dormant hair follicles and encourage new growth. When used to complement a hair transplant, the growth factors found in PRP can help encourage new hair growth surrounding the transplantation area, leading to enhanced density in the scalp.
- Improved hair thickness: Patients who had received PRP injections have shown increased strength and stability in the hair follicles. (5) The growth factors in PRP help thicken and strengthen the hair shaft, improving its volume and texture. This is ideal for patients who may be experiencing thinning hair.
- Enhanced well-being: For many people, hair loss can have significant effects on their self-esteem and confidence. The use of PRP injections to help enhance the density and growth of a hair restoration treatment can positively impact a patient’s life.
- Low risk of reaction: Because the platelets are derived from the patient’s own blood, there is a lowered risk of any potential allergic reactions or adverse responses.
To learn more about how PRP injections can benefit you, please call us at (800) 373-4773 or contact us online, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Ideal Candidates
While platelet-rich plasma can be added to any hair transplant procedure, the ideal candidates for PRP injections are those who are experiencing hair loss and are interested in maximizing their hair restoration results. All candidates should be in good overall health and free of any underlying medical conditions that may impact their ability to receive PRP injections. Please note that patients who have certain blood disorders or autoimmune diseases may not be eligible for this treatment.
To find out if you may be an ideal candidate for PRP injections, please call us at (800) 373-4773 or contact us online.
Personal Consultation
If you are interested in exploring how PRP injections can potentially complement your hair loss treatment, a personal consultation at our office is a necessary first step. Our expertly trained staff will perform a comprehensive evaluation to better understand your concerns. After evaluating the treatment area, patient medical history, and patient candidacy, we can help create a custom hair loss treatment to help you regain your confidence.
We accept consultations at any one of our locations. To schedule an appointment, please call (800) 373-4773 or contact us online.
PRP Application in Hair Transplant Procedures
The PRP application process begins with a sample of blood being taken from each patient. This sample is then processed through a centrifuge in two separate spins, separating the plasma from red blood cells and other tissue. The concentrated plasma solution is then injected into the scalp, targeting areas experiencing hair thinning and loss. After injection, the platelets secrete growth factors within 10 minutes after being activated, with over 95% of growth factors being secreted within the first hour. (1) This procedure often lasts around an hour and is considered minimally invasive. Injections are often administered at regular intervals to help individuals maximize their results.
Recovery & Results
Following a hair transplant, patients should follow all instructions provided to them by a member of our expert staff. This is to ensure that each patient is properly taking care of their body and protecting the treatment area. The healing process is rather straightforward, and instructions on proper recovery will be given at each personal consultation.
Patients may experience light swelling and tenderness, but these effects will subside within a few days. The full effects of the corresponding hair transplant can be seen after the hair has been given enough time to regrow.
The results of each treatment may differ between patients, as each procedure is fully tailored to most effectively help each patient. Most patients will be able to notice a significant improvement after around 3 months of their treatment, but depending on the results, we may recommend that patients return for additional PRP injections to help reach their hair restoration goals. (6)
PRP injections are often associated with high patient satisfaction rates. (1) When performed at one of the leading hair restoration facilities in the world, PRP hair restoration can produce life-changing results.
Cost of PRP Injections in Southern California
The full cost of a hair restoration treatment can vary from patient to patient. Each patient will receive a written quote at their personal consultation after their treatment plan has been established.
To unlock the cost of your PRP-enhanced hair restoration treatment, please call us at (800) 373-4773 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at any one of our convenient Southern California locations!
FAQ
How long will my PRP injections take?
The PRP injection treatment often lasts an hour, although this timing may vary depending on the number of injections being administered.
Are there any side effects to PRP injections?
As the platelets are derived from each patient’s own blood sample, side effects and allergic reactions are minimized. Patients may experience bruising or swelling, but these side effects will subside on their own.
How long can it take for me to see new hair growth after PRP injections?
It can take several months to see new hair growth, but some patients can see new hair growth sooner.
References
- Garg S, Manchanda S. Platelet-rich plasma—an “Elixir” for treatment of alopecia: personal experience on 117 patients with review of literature. Stem Cell Investigation. 2017;4:64-64. doi:https://doi.org/10.21037/sci.2017.06.07
- Alves R, Grimalt R. Platelet-Rich Plasma and its Use for Cicatricial and Non-Cicatricial Alopecias: A Narrative Review. Dermatology and Therapy. 2020;10(4):623-633. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-020-00408-5
- Stevens J, Khetarpal S. Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: A review of the literature and proposed treatment protocol. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. 2018;5(1):46-51. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2018.08.004
- Paichitrojjana A, Paichitrojjana A. Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2022;Volume 16:635-645. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s356858
- Yuan J, He Y, Wan H, Gao Y. Effectiveness of platelet‐rich plasma in treating female hair loss: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials. Skin Research and Technology. 2024;30(8). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.70004
- Gentile P, Garcovich S, Bielli A, Scioli MG, Orlandi A, Cervelli V. The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. 2015;4(11):1317-1323. doi:https://doi.org/10.5966/sctm.2015-0107