About PRP
Hair loss is a major concern for many patients, whether it's brought on by age, genetics, hormones, medical conditions, styling products, or bad habits. With recent research advanced being made in the hair restoration field, new treatments have been created to help combat the issue. Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a state-of-the-art nonsurgical remedy for people that has demonstrated a remarkable ability to slow down, stop, and even potentially reverse hair loss. PRP has shown promising outcomes in patients with alopecia areata and thinning eyebrows. Board-certified physician Ginger L. Urbaniak, M.D. of Urbaniak Plastic Surgery is proud to provide this innovative therapy to her patients all across Clearwater and Largo, FL. By mixing a powerful solution of growth factors and bioactive proteins, Dr. Ginger Urbaniak can help strengthen the function of your hair, which will lead to longer, thicker, healthier locks.
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Ideal Candidates
Any patient suffering with mild hair loss is essentially an ideal candidate for PRP therapy, but those early on in their hair thinning usually yield the best results. PRP is best used for patients with androgenic alopecia, which is a genetically determined type of hair thinning that mostly occurs along the top of the head. In women, this can take on the appearance of a widening part with average hair thickness at the back of the head. Patients with sections of "weak quality” hair growth on the scalp with still functioning hair follicles typically have the best results with PRP hair regrowth treatments.
Procedure Technique
A minimally invasive procedure, the PRP therapy takes place over a short 60-minute in-office visit. Your treatment will begin with obtaining a small amount of your blood and placing it in a centrifuge, which rotates the blood at high speeds to separate the platelets from the remaining portion of the blood components. Next, a local anesthetic is administered to your scalp and the concentrated platelet-rich plasma is reintroduced into regions of your scalp that are thinning. Finally, microneedling is performed on the scalp to create micro-trauma and micro-channels into the skin, which activates the PRP and permits it to penetrate deep into the skin. Our protocol for nonsurgical management of hair loss involves an initial treatment followed by touch-ups for maintenance roughly every nine months to one year.
What to Expect
There's no downtime following this procedure because it has almost no limitations or restrictions. If anything, patients may develop some redness, minimal swelling, and mild tenderness to the treated areas. These symptoms can last up to 48 hours. While results differ for each patient, cosmetic results are commonly seen around 4 – 6 months after the first treatment and can continue to improve up to a full year following treatment. As PRP is not a permanent alternative for hair loss, repeat treatments are suggested every 12 – 18 months. It is essential to be aware that PRP does not grow new hair follicles in locations where you are already bald; rather, it's used to reverse the miniaturization of hair follicles so they will produce healthier, thicker, longer hair fibers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does PRP therapy for hair cost?
PRP therapy costs will depend on many factors, like how many treatments you are receiving. During your one-on-one, Dr. Ginger Urbaniak will create a PRP treatment plan suited to your needs to maximize your results. From there, she will be able to accurately estimate the costs of your PRP hair treatment. She will also tell you about any current specials being offered and which payment methods Urbaniak Plastic Surgery accepts. Our office is proud to offers patients access to our Diamond Membership program, which entitles members to discounts on some of our post popular select services.
Can PRP be combined with other hair treatments?
Many patients combine their PRP therapy with other treatments, like topical medication applied at home, microneedling, and more. Dr. Ginger Urbaniak will assess your scalp and your unique level of hair loss before creating your customized PRP hair therapy treatment plan. She will then discuss her recommendations for which in-office treatments could best address your hair loss. She can also suggest any home products that might provide additional improvements between appointments.
How often should I get PRP treatments?
Many patients require at least three PRP treatments performed at least one month apart to see results. Your specific PRP hair therapy program will depend on your degree of hair loss and ultimate goals. Based on these, Dr. Ginger Urbaniak will be able to suggest how many PRP treatments you will need and how often you should schedule them to properly stimulate the growth of your hair. If your condition is more advanced, however, she may recommend more treatments initially. Once you begin to see results, these can be performed less frequently.
How effective is PRP therapy at treating hair loss?
The outcomes of your PRP therapy will depend on the severity of your hair loss, how many treatments you receive, and other factors. You should be patient with your results because it takes time for new hair growth to become visible after the PRP stimulates the process. During your consultation, Dr. Ginger Urbaniak will let you know if you are a good candidate for this treatment and what kind of outcomes you can realistically expect. You may need to continue to receive PRP hair therapy to maintain your results and limit future hair loss.
Are the PRP injections painful?
While your unique serum is being prepared, a numbing cream will be applied to your scalp to keep you comfortable during the your treatment. This should significantly minimize any tenderness during the procedure. You should talk to Dr. Ginger Urbaniak if you have any additional concerns about pain so we can accommodate you accordingly. Your scalp may ne numb or tingly for a period of time after your PRP injections. However, this is temporary, and your normal sensations typically will return shortly.
Related Procedures
Stimulate New Growth
PRP therapy is a scientifically backed alternative for individuals struggling to choose between various hair loss solutions. At Urbaniak Plastic Surgery, we are honored to provide effective services that efficiently treat progressively thinning hair. To find out more about PRP hair therapy sessions, we welcome you to call our office in Largo or Clearwater, FL today, where board-certified physician Dr. Ginger Urbaniak will be more than happy to assess the condition of your scalp and develop a unique treatment plan that suits your needs and goals.