What is PRP Treatment for hair loss?

First, PRP stands for Platelet-rich plasma therapy. The platelets are a component of the blood, along with the white and red blood cell. When you have a wound or cut, the platelets are the “frontliners” that rush to stop the bleeding and heal the wound.

With that, researchers have found that if the platelets are extracted and are injected to the damaged parts of your body, the healing process may accelerate.

Hence, to produce PRP, your blood sample will be extracted and be put into a machine that is called a centrifuge. Then, the machine spins at a rapid rate. That separates the components of the blood making it easier for the medical professional to extract the platelets for injection.

Additionally, the PRP treatment consists of a range of proteins and growth factors that aids in speedy tissue repair. Also, as some types of hair loss results from hair follicle damage, it was hypothesized that the PRP could help regrow your hair by reversing the process.

Is PRP treatment effective?

A group of researches have noted that many different types of research and clinics use different methods of preparations, session intervals, and injection techniques to administer the PRP treatment. Therefore, making the effects of this treatment vary.

Hence, without a standardised protocol for injections, it is challenging and difficult to conclude whether or not the treatment is effective.

What is the procedure of PRP treatment?

The procedure in the PRP treatments but these are the common approach to the PRP injections for hair loss:

  1. A medical professional draws your blood from a vein in your arm
  2. Then, they place the blood sample in the centrifuge
  3. The centrifuge then spins the blood rapidly, resulting in the components separating
  4. Then, the medical professional extracts the platelets using a syringe
  5. Finally, a doctor then injects the platelets (PRP) into the targeted areas of the scalp.
Source: U.S. Dermatology Partners

How often do you need the treatment?

How often you should have a PRP treatment will vary based on your condition and the results of the initial treatment. However, doctors usually suggest having the PRP injections every 3 to 6 months, when your hair loss is under control.

How long does the treatment last?

What you need to keep in mind is that the PRP treatment isn’t a cure for hair loss. Hence, one would need to receive multiple PRP treatments over a period of time to maintain hair growth results.

Are there side effects or risks to the treatment?

Side effects

As the PRP treatment consists of a person’s own blood components, you would not be prone to catching a disease, but just minor side effects such as:

  • mild pain at the injection site
  • injury to the blood vessels or nerves
  • scalp tenderness
  • infection
  • swelling
  • calcification at injection points
  • scar tissues
  • headaches
  • itching
  • temporary bleeding at the injection site

Risks

When you go in for your consultations, many medical professionals will recommend against the PRP treatment for hair loss if you:

  • are a heavy smoker
  • have a history of drug or alcohol misuse
  • are on blood thinners

Not only that, if you have been diagnosed with the following health concerns, you might also be rejected for the treatment:

  • cancer
  • acute or chronic infections
  • thyroid disease
  • low platelet count
  • sepsis
  • systemic disorder
  • chronic liver disease
  • chronic skin disease
  • platelet dysfunction syndromes
  • hemodynamic instability
  • metabolic disorder
  • hypofibrinogenemia

Is there a downtime?

There is no downtime after receiving the PRP treatment for hair loss. You can resume your usual daily activities.

Why is the PRP treatment not allowed/available in Singapore?

You should know that the PRP Treatment for hair loss IS NOT LEGALLY AVAILABLE IN SINGAPORE.

This is because there isn’t enough or strong evidence for the Ministry of Health in Singapore to approve the PRP treatment.

What’s an alternative to PRP hair treatment?

Source: Dr Tan & Partners

The Regenera Activa is an alternative hair loss treatment to the PRP hair loss treatment. This treatment is approved by HSA Singapore, CE Europe and US FDA.

This Regenera Activa treatment is a revolutionary new tool that has been developed for the clinical application of regenerative procedures using autologous micrografts that are taken from the same patient. Using this treatment, there is much faster growth of new hair as new growth is seen within 2 months of using the Regenerava Activa treatment.

Not only that, but this is also a one-time and not a series of sessions. Additionally, the effect from this treatment can last you about 2 to 3 years and if you want, it can also be repeated to stop hair loss. This procedure also meets the most stringent safety standards.

What’s the difference between Regenera Activa vs PRP Hair Loss Treatment?

Regenera ActivaPRP Hair Loss Treatment
More effectiveEffective
Lasts 1 to 3 yearsRequires multiple monthly sessions
Uses regenerative cells from your scalpUses growth factors from your blood

Both these treatments can be beneficial as standalone treatments. This is because they are both used as part of a multi-pronged approach in treating hair loss. This includes drugs like Propecia and Rogaine. Additionally, both these treatments are useful in strengthening your scalp and hair follicles.

However, as PRP treatments for hair loss are not available in Singapore, your next best choice would be the Regenera Activa treatment.