Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) As we may all know there are many ways to help with hair loss. Have you heard of PRP? or Platelet Rich Plasma? You may have heard of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) used to promote the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, joints and most musculoskeletal problems. Well now you can get a PRP treatment to help with hair loss and hair thinning! How cool is that! Whats more exciting is that you can get it done at Dr. Mark A. Bishara’s office, The Paragon Plastic Surgery and Med Spa. What exactly is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) So what exactly is PRP? PRP is a very natural, non surgical alternative for the treatment of hair loss or hair thinning. PRP is an injectable treatment which uses the patients own blood. Our own blood (PRP) contains active growth factors which can promote hair growth. PRP can be used as a treatment itself or it can be injected during a hair transplant/restoration surgery. PRP needs to be done 2-3 times a year to maintain any benefit, it is well worth it. Because who wouldn’t want their hair looking fuller and healthier? Dr. Mark A. Bishara and the staff at The Paragon Plastic Surgery and Med Spa highly recommend it! Lets Get It Done The first thing to do is come in to The Paragon Plastic Surgery and Med Spa and have a consultation with Dr. Mark A. Bishara. If a candidate you can get your PRP done as soon as the day of your consultation. So how exactly does it work? The Paragon Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, staff draws a couple of tubes of the patients own blood. After the collection the staff sets into the centrifuge for ten minutes as the centrifuge creates your PRP. Once PRP is ready the staff at The Paragon Plastic Surgery and Med Spa uses a very thin needle to inject your very own PRP into your scalp. The PRP is injected all over. I know, I know, you?re thinking Ouch! Needles in my head? Don’t freak out! Local anesthetic is used to help with any discomfort. The PRP treatment itself can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. There is nothing to worry about, the treatment is simple, safe and has reliable results. Recovery time is fairly quick and in no time you will have beautiful results! TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PLATELET RICH PLASA (PRP), PLEASE CONTACT US AT (817) 473-2120 TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment
4 Year PRP Case Study In the last 4 years The International Hair Research Foundation carried out a scientific evaluation of the effectiveness and safeness of the PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) technique. Their study was performed on 568 men (56%) aged from 18 to 72. 465 women (44%) aged from 16 to 78. International Hair Research Foundation Study found a significant increase in the number of hairs after the treatment was obtained in 80% of cases (both in male and female subjects). In 93% of cases a therapeutic effect was obtained and a significant improvement of hair miniaturization, hair loss, itching or trichodynia (discomfort or pain in the scalp or hair) – if present – was observed. Please visit the International Hair Research Foundation for more information on this study. Platelet Rich Plasma PRP Platelet Rich Plasma Treatments are injections to the patients scalp and are used to stimulate the growth of hair follicles, thereby halting or reversing miniaturization (thinning hair) seen in androgenic alopecia (common baldness) cases. Human Blood Flow & PRP Integration Human blood is comprised primarily of red blood cells (RBC), as well as white blood cells (WBC), platelets, and plasma. By initiating the first step of coagulation, platelets are the key to the body’s ability to heal wounds. It is thought that by increasing the platelet count in a wounded area, the body’s healing to that area would be accelerated – explaining the use of PRP in wound healing. Its possible effects on promoting hair growth make it potentially useful as both used in addition to hair transplantation surgery and for the medical treatment of hair loss. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentrated blood plasma which contains approximately three to five times the number of platelets found in normal circulating blood. In addition to the platelets, it contains growth factors and other bioactive proteins that aid in wound healing and hair growth. Growth Factors The human growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)- levels are significantly elevated after PRP injection, supporting a possible ergogenic effect of PRP. How it Works The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa uses a double centrifuge technique that allows the active biologic factors to be administered at the most effective concentration. The treatments are administered by one of our Nurses and take about a half hour. If Dr. Mark A. Bishara, M.D. P.A. decides that you are in fact a good candidate, we may be able to perform the PRP procedure at the time of the consult. If the procedure cannot be performed at the time of consultation, you can schedule one very soon after. In either case, the consult fee will be deducted from your first treatment. Candidates Platelet rich plasma offers an additional way to stimulate hair growth, especially in people who cannot use other forms of treatment. For example, it may be useful for someone that is not a candidate for a hair transplant, or cannot use finasteride. It is also useful in the treatment of crown thinning where a hair transplant may not be appropriate. It works best where there is existing thinning hair not a completely bald area. We are only using Platelet Rich Plasma to treat hair loss on the scalp at this time. Downtime The treatment is done during a simple office visit and takes about 30-45 minutes. The patient is able to go back to regular routine after the treatment. One may have some very temporary soreness and swelling, but many patients experience no side affects after the treatment. Results Usually patients see results in 3 to 6 months. However, the response time may be variable. Research also agrees that about 70%-90% of patients will see a degree of improvement of hair mass/density. The latest data indicates 3 PRP therapy treatments has the greatest effectiveness for hair growth stimulation and many patients get PRP once every other year following the initial 3 treatments.
International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) 2015 Practice Census Facts and Figures
An estimated 397,048 surgical hair restoration procedures were performed worldwide in 2014 (a 28% increase from 2012) In the United States, 112,409 hair restoration procedures were performed In Canada, 5,488 hair restoration procedures were performed o In Mexico/Central & South America, 28,456 hair restoration procedures were performed In Europe, 46,849 hair restoration procedures were performed o In Asia, 143,239 hair restoration procedures were performed o In Australia, 3,724 hair restoration procedures were performed o In the Middle East, 56,883 hair restoration procedures were performed Estimated Surgical Hair Restoration Worldwide Market Size Based on the estimated number of 397,048 hair restoration procedures performed in 2014, multiplied by the average fee* charged to patients for a procedure, the estimated worldwide market for hair restoration was calculated as follows (expressed here in various currencies). This is a 28% increase since 2012. • $ 2,472,332,531 USD (U.S. Dollars) • $ 3,243,082,197 AUD (Australian Dollars) • R$ 7,769,181,361 BRL (Brazil Real) • $ 3,077,386,471 CAD (Canadian Dollars) • € 2,225,840,977 EUR (European Euros) • $ 19,166,832,114 HKD (Hong Kong Dollars) • 158,528,434,200 INR (Indian Rupees) • ¥ 310,606,552,827 JPY (Japanese Yen) • ₩ 2,779,470,400,966 KRW (Korean Won) • $ 38,837,130,025 MXN (Mexican Peso) • SR 9,271,617,840 SAR (Saudi Riyal) *The “average fee” charged for a procedure reported by survey participants and used in this calculation represents the overall average fee charged to all patients treated. Since the cost of procedures performed on individual patients may vary depending on the number of grafts and several other factors, the “average fee” as it related to this survey did not represent what all patients would expect to pay for a procedure, and should not be construed as a typical price for a hair restoration procedure. Extrapolated Number of Hair Restoration Surgical & Non-Surgical Patients Worldwide The extrapolated worldwide number of hair restoration patients treated in 2014 was approximately 1,055,480 (358,109 surgical patients and 697,372 non-surgical patients) – a 9% increase from 2012 In the United States, 244,207 hair restoration patients were treated In Canada, 21,028 hair restoration patients were treated In Mexico/Central & South America, 120,767 hair restoration patients were treated In Europe, 100,530 hair restoration patients were treated In Asia, 427,709 hair restoration patients were treated In Australia, 15,867 hair restoration patients were treated In the Middle East, 125,372 hair restoration patients were treated By Age and Gender In 2014, 84.7% of all hair restoration surgical patients worldwide were male In 2014, 15.3% of all hair restoration surgical patients worldwide were female Since 2006, the proportion of female surgical hair restoration patients worldwide increased 11% In 2014, 59.9% of all non-surgical hair restoration patients worldwide were male In 2014, 40.1% of all non-surgical hair restoration patients worldwide were female In 2014, more than half of both male and female surgical patients worldwide fell between the ages of 30 to 49 years old, 58.6% and 54.7% respectively Trends by Country Of the estimated 397,048 hair restoration procedures performed worldwide in 2014: Mexico/Central & South America experienced the biggest increase in the number of procedures, with 28,456 procedures performed in 2014 (an 82% increase from 2012) Since 2006, the number of hair restoration procedures around the world jumped 76 percent by 2014 From 2006 to 2014, the Middle East saw the largest increase (363%) in the number of procedures From 2006 to 2014, Mexico/Central & South America experienced the second largest increase (167%) in the number of procedures Trends by Recipient Area From 2012 to 2014, hair restoration procedures performed on non-scalp areas jumped in every category worldwide. Facial (moustache/beard) procedures increased 196% o Chest procedures increased 170% Eyelash procedures increased 90% Pubic procedures increased 62% Eyebrow procedures increased 52% Asia conducted the largest amount of eyelash (1,256), eyebrow (7,515), facial hair restorations (4,199), chest (491) and pubic (706) hair restoration procedures. The largest increase in facial hair restoration procedures from 2012 to 2014 occurred in Mexico/Central & South America (814%), followed by Europe (297%). When members were asked which of the following non-scalp hair restoration procedure sites males and females were most interested in discussing, the majority of members reported women were most interested in discussing eyebrow procedures (92.2%). Men were most interested in discussing facial (63.8%) or eyebrow (31.5%) procedures. Notice: Please refer to the full report of the 2015 ISHRS Practice Census, located at: https://www.ishrs.org/statistics-research.htm. The objective of the survey was to gather reliable statistics with regard to the volume of hair restoration procedures performed, patient demographics, surgical techniques, treatments used, and other practice dynamics. The margin of error for the sample is plus or minus 4.9 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. The ISHRS commissioned Relevant Research, Inc. of Chicago, IL, USA, to help develop the survey instrument, collect the data, analyze the findings, and prepare the summary report. Relevant Research, Inc. is an independent survey research company specializing in surveys and statistical programs for professional societies and trade associations. All data collected from ISHRS members was kept completely confidential by Relevant Research, Inc. The 2015 ISHRS Practice Census is published by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and is a compilation of information provided solely by participating physicians. The information published in this survey was developed from actual historical information and does not include any projected information. Neither Relevant Research, Inc. nor ISHRS has verified the accuracy, completeness or suitability of any information provided here, and ISHRS does not recommend, encourage, or endorse any particular use of the information reported in this survey. ISHRS makes no warranty, guarantee or representation whatsoever and assumes no liability or responsibility in connection with the use or misuse of this survey.
ARTAS Hair Studio Increases the Amount of Hair Transplanted
Recently, Restoration Robotics launched ARTAS Hair Studio. This state of the art product allows the patient and surgeon plan and produce a simulation of a possible outcome. Although this product has some limitations to the realistic look of the transplanted hair, it does allow for a formal interaction between the surgeon and the patient that spawns more thought into the over- all operative goal and leads to increased numbers of hairs being transplanted. The most common cause of dissatisfaction of hair transplant patients in my practice and in patients that come to me from other practices is that they didn’t get the thickness that they wanted. The ARTAS Hair Studio allows the patient to “Test Drive” their appearance and modify the operative plan under the guidance of the surgeon. It becomes the surgeon’s ethical and responsible role to provide guidance on safe and age appropriate hairline design, donor capacity, and realistic expectations on social and physiologic downtime. The ARTAS Hair Studio becomes paramount providing a sneak preview to esthetic results that vary with amount of hair. Put together with a well informed consult discussing preventative hairless measures backed by randomized double-blinded placebo controlled trials, the ARTAS Hair Studio is quickly becoming the standard of care in hair restoration planning and patient education. ARTAS Hair Studio also integrates directly with the robot and becomes the operative plan for the patient ensuring that the patient is receiving exactly what he is intending to recieve. For a consultation please call 817-473-2120 or email appointments@markbisharamd.com. Skype and other internet-based consultations are available. Mark A Bishara M.D., P.A. and Paragon Hair Clinics care for patients world-wide. Dr. Mak A Bishara, M.D. P.A. performs robotic follicular unit graft selection for residents living around Mansfield, Southlake, Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth, and surrounding the DFW area in North Texas.
Robotic Follicular Unit Graft Selection In North Texas by Dr. Mark A. Bishara
Surrounding Areas Dr. Mak A Bishara, M.D. P.A. performs robotic follicular unit graft selection for residents living around Mansfield, Southlake, Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth, and surrounding the DFW area in North Texas. Importance of Robotic Follicular Unit Graft Selection Robotic follicular unit graft selection is important during hair restoration surgery because the surgeon can select 2 hair, 3 hair or 4 hair follicular unit grafts and avoid taking single hair grafts when they’re not needed. This supplies more total hair transplanted during the transplant procedure than a typical nonselective process will provide. How does this work? The robot sees different hairs that are grouped together with two or more hairs. Using the optical guidance system with two separate cameras you can distinguish these from single hair grafts. Dr. Mark A. Bishara, M.D. P.A. programs the robot to only select out thick, more robust follicular units which provides the patient with more hair and a thicker result with minimal soft tissue wounding in the donor area. This advancement is by far the most significant benefit towards the economy of motion during the procedure. Please call 817-473-2120 or email us at appointments@markbisharamd.com today!
Am I a Candidate for a Robotic Hair Transplant
Most people are a candidate for hair transplant surgery. However, in order to properly determine your candidacy for the procedure, an ARTAS physician will need to consider various factors, including age, family history of hair loss, current and projected future hair loss pattern (area of baldness), donor characteristics (laxity and density), and whether or not the goals of the patient can realistically be met. The best way to find out if you are a candidate for a hair restoration procedure is to go to a surgeon that specializes in hair restoration. The answer will depend on the cause of your hair loss, your age, the stability of your donor supply, how extensive you hair loss is, your expectations and a number of other important factors that will be taken into account. It’s important to have realistic expectations before undergoing a hair transplant procedure. Remember there is a finite amount of donor hair that can be moved to the thinning areas of the scalp. If that hair isn’t used in an efficient manner the outcome of the procedure might not meet your expectations. Every patient is examined on a case-by-case basis, but here are some general types of patients that are great candidates for hair transplants: The best candidates for hair restoration surgery are: Men who have been losing their hair due to Male Pattern Baldness for more than five years or who have progressed to a Norwood class 3 or above. Men with realistic expectations and who understand that their hair loss might continue to progress even if they are taking prescription medication to stop the progression. Men who have been balding for many years and who’s pattern has stabilized and are interested in just adding some hair to provide a more youthful appearance. Men and women who have lost hair due to trauma or burns Men and women who have lost hair due to other cosmetic procedures such as face-lifts. Some women are candidates for hair restoration surgery. They are: Women who have suffered hair loss due to mechanical or traction alopecia (non-hormonal). Women who have had previous cosmetic or plastic surgery and are concerned about hair loss around the incision sites. Women who have a distinct pattern of baldness, similar to that of male pattern baldness. This includes hairline recession, vertex thinning (on the crown or top of the scalp), and a donor area that is not affected by androgenetic alopecia. Women who suffer hair loss due to trauma, including burn victims, scarring from accidents, and chemical burns. Women with alopecia marginalis, a condition that looks very similar to traction alopecia. Hair Restoration is available for many areas, not just the head, although that is the most common place. We also do hair restoration for eyelashes, eyebrows and beards. Please visit the website of Dr. Bishara, who specializes in Hair Restoration, Robotic Hair Transplants and Plastic Surgery at www.MarkBisharaMD.com or call our office at (817) 473-2120.
Have you heard about PRP- Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy? It's available at our office
PRP- PLATELET RICH PLASMA THERAPY — OR PRP AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF DR. MARK BISHARA ABC News via GOOD MORNING AMERICA A new hair-loss treatment is giving hope to millions of people with thinning hair. The treatment, called Platelet Rich Plasma therapy — or PRP — could help regrow and thicken hair without surgery, drugs or expensive treatments. PRP relies on the patient’s own platelets. The patient’s blood is drawn and placed in a machine, where the plasma is separated from the blood and injected directly into that patient’s scalp. The platelets contain growth factors that stimulate the regrowth and thickening of hair follicles. THIS INFORMATION IS BROUGHT TO YOU COURTESY OF DR. BISHARA AND THE PARAGON PLASTIC SURGERY & MED SPA En Espanol Un nuevo tratamiento de pérdida de cabello está dando esperanza a millones de personas con el adelgazamiento del cabello. El tratamiento, llamado terapia de plasma rico en plaquetas – o PRP – podría ayudar a crecer y engrosar el cabello sin cirugía, medicamentos o tratamientos costosos. PRP se basa en las propias plaquetas del paciente. La sangre del paciente se extrae y se coloca en una máquina, en donde se separa el plasma de la sangre y se inyecta directamente en el cuero cabelludo de ese paciente. Las plaquetas contienen factores de crecimiento que estimulan el nuevo crecimiento y engrosamiento de los folículos pilosos. ESTA INFORMACIÓN ES PRESENTADO CORTESÍA DEL DR. BISHARA Y LA CIRUGÍA PLÁSTICA Y PARAGON MED SPA
NEW TREATMENT PROMISES TO REGROW THINNING HAIR WITHOUT SURGERY, DRUGS
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy — or PRP Available in the Office of dr. mark bishara Nov 10, 2014, 11:05 AM ET ABC News via GOOD MORNING AMERICA A new hair-loss treatment is giving hope to millions of people with thinning hair. The treatment, called Platelet Rich Plasma therapy — or PRP — could help regrow and thicken hair without surgery, drugs or expensive treatments. PRP relies on the patient’s own platelets. The patient’s blood is drawn and placed in a machine, where the plasma is separated from the blood and injected directly into that patient’s scalp. The platelets contain growth factors that stimulate the regrowth and thickening of hair follicles. Eyebrow Transplants Enhance Fullness in Thinning Brows “This is the best kept secret in the world,” Dr. Jeffrey Rapaport, a New Jersey dermatologist, told ABC News. Tanisha Jimenez has used PRP and she says it has worked for her. Jimenez said that years of pulling her hair back caused her to lose some around her face. Just weeks after her first treatment, her hair started to regrow, she said. “It’s amazing,” she said. Rapaport noted, though, that this isn’t considered a cure for baldness. “It’s a treatment … What we’re doing is increasing the diameter of the size of the hair follicle,” he said. “And we’re keeping the hairs that would stop growing in the growing phase.” The best candidate for PRP is someone who has recently started losing hair, Rapaport said. It won’t work for those who are completely bald, and it won’t regrow all the lost hair, he said. The entire process, including the injection, takes about 90 minutes. Rapaport recommends one treatment per month for the first four months and then two maintenance treatments per year. Some doctors add other hair-growth medications to the mix THIS INFORMATION IS BROUGHT TO YOU COURTESY OF DR. BISHARA AND THE PARAGON PLASTIC SURGERY & MED SPA En Espanol PLASMA RICO EN PLAQUETAS TERAPIA – O PRP DISPONIBLES EN LA OFICINA DEL DR. MARCA BISHARA 10 de noviembre 2014, 11:05 AM ETABC News a través de Good Morning America Un nuevo tratamiento de pérdida de cabello está dando esperanza a millones de personas con el adelgazamiento del cabello. El tratamiento, llamado terapia de plasma rico en plaquetas – o PRP – podría ayudar a crecer y engrosar el cabello sin cirugía, medicamentos o tratamientos costosos. PRP se basa en las propias plaquetas del paciente. La sangre del paciente se extrae y se coloca en una máquina, en donde se separa el plasma de la sangre y se inyecta directamente en el cuero cabelludo de ese paciente. Las plaquetas contienen factores de crecimiento que estimulan el nuevo crecimiento y engrosamiento de los folículos pilosos. Cejas Trasplantes Mejorar Plenitud en Adelgazamiento cejas “Este es el secreto mejor guardado del mundo”, el Dr. Jeffrey Rapaport, un dermatólogo de Nueva Jersey, dijo a ABC News. Tanisha Jiménez ha utilizado PRP y ella dice que ha trabajado para ella. Jiménez dijo que los años de tira de su pelo hacia atrás le hizo perder algo de alrededor de su cara. Apenas unas semanas después de su primer tratamiento, su cabello comenzó a crecer de nuevo, dijo. “Es increíble”, dijo. Rapaport señalar, sin embargo, que esto no se considera una cura para la calvicie. “Es un tratamiento … Lo que estamos haciendo es aumentar el diámetro del tamaño del folículo piloso”, dijo. “Y estamos cumpliendo con los pelos que dejaría de crecer en la fase de crecimiento.” El mejor candidato para PRP es alguien que ha comenzado recientemente la pérdida de cabello, dijo Rapaport. No funcionará para aquellos que son completamente calvo, y no va a volver a crecer todo el cabello perdido, dijo. Todo el proceso, incluyendo la inyección, tarda unos 90 minutos. Rapaport recomienda un tratamiento por mes durante los primeros cuatro meses y luego dos tratamientos de mantenimiento por año. Algunos médicos añaden otros medicamentos crecimiento del cabello a la mezcla ESTA INFORMACIÓN ES PRESENTADO CORTESÍA DEL DR. BISHARA Y LA CIRUGÍA PLÁSTICA Y PARAGON MED SPA
PRP and LLLT Treatments in Women's and Men's Hair Restoration
Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used for many years in other medical specialties, including orthopedics, it has only recently become one of the latest techniques with hair restoration. PRP is used for all Hair Restoration/Hair Loss patients, including patients who have Robotic Hair Transplants. PRP is an exciting non-surgical therapeutic treatment for patients who require stimulation of hair growth for hair loss conditions. The use of PRP for the treatment of alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia (hereditary male or female hair loss) is available from Dr. Mark Bishara’s office. While PRP is in the early stages of scientific research in hair restoration, PRP is not meant to replace current FDA approved therapies such as DHT blockers and Minoxidil. but it is a promising non-surgical therapeutic option for those patients with hair loss. What is PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma? PRP Platelet Rich Plasma is the use of a person’s own blood platelets to enhance hair growth as a stand-alone treatment or to improve the recovery and results of hair transplant surgery. In the field of cell therapy and tissue regeneration, research is continuing to progress regarding the use of PRP’s ability to stimulate stem cells, improve wound healing, and rejuvenate skin and hair follicles. PRP is done in 3 month intervals Growth Factors The human growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)- levels are significantly elevated after PRP injection, supporting a possible ergogenic effect of PRP. What is LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy) The LaserCap® using Low Level Laser Technology (LLLT) can help men and women of all ages who suffer from hair loss by emitting pulses of laser light energy to the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles and improve blood circulation in the area, encouraging hair growth once again. Men and women being treated for hair loss sit comfortably under the lasers as it gently delivers the phototherapy to the scalp. Most of our patients read a magazine during treatments. There is no pain or discomfort from the therapy–some patients do report some “scalp-tingling.” The laser cap is much more successful and effective in hair restoration then hand held devices that are available on the market. The usual treatments occur 2-3 times per week. The laser cap is available to have treatments done in our office, or can be purchased and take home with you. For more information on PRP, LLLT and other hair restoration treatments, please call our office at (817) 473-2120. Please come in and get evaluated with an endocrine testing panel, that tests your thyroid, testosterone, iron, and serotonin levels, to name a few. We also refer out for scalp biopsies for female patients, to determine the causes of hair loss. You can also visit us as www.MarkBisharaMD.com and our Facebook page at The Paragon Plastic Surgery and Medspa
PRP- Beat hair loss with Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy
Whether it is genetic, due to stress, or any medical condition – hair loss is a prime concern for many men and women these days. Various new techniques have cropped up in the market which can combat the condition with ease. Platelet-Rich Plasma or PRP, is the latest treatment to hit the hair loss market and is showing impressive results. What is PRP? PRP therapy, also known as Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy is a procedure that involves drawing out one’s own blood and centrifuging it so that the plasma with platelets collects in the tube. This plasma rich in platelets and growth factors is very useful in tissue regeneration and healing. It is then injected on the scalp or rubbed on the scalp after performing a dermaroller treatment in the areas which suffer from hair loss. Who should opt for PRP? People who have thinning hair, and those with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness – hair loss at the top of the scalp and a receding hairline particularly along the temples), women with male pattern alopecia can all benefit from it. The treatment requires about eight sittings, each two weeks apart for best results. Along with it, one may have to take medications like minoxidil and propecia. Your doctor may also alternate between stem cell therapy and PRP as combination treatments have shown to provide good results. Expected results Patients will soon see a fuzz of hair after the fourth sitting. The treatment not only promotes hair growth but also strengthens hair follicles. It is quite a safe procedure without any side-effects. Since it involves drawing out blood and multiple needle pricks, it may seem uncomfortable and scary but a numbing cream is used prior to the procedure to reduce the discomfort. Who can’t opt for PRP? Though PRP treatment yields great results for people suffering from hair loss, it’s not for everyone. People who have lost all hair cannot undergo this treatment as it does not help grow new hair on a bald patch. It can only make the existing thinning hair thicker by strengthening the hair follicles. This information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa