How PRP Works for Hair Loss

Thinning hair or balding is a distressing part of aging that can wreak havoc with your self-confidence. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) offers a natural solution for hair loss that works at the cellular level to stimulate new hair growth.

Gordon Sasaki, MD, FACS of Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center in Pasadena, California, is one of the world’s leading cosmetic surgeons and an expert on surgical and nonsurgical treatments that erase the effects of aging. Dr. Sasaki and his team are known for providing the highest quality aesthetic services in a premier spa-like setting centered around your comfort and satisfaction.

Read why PRP therapy meets Dr. Sasaki’s high standards as a highly effective hair restoration treatment that can also help rebuild your self-confidence.

What is PRP therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an injection-based treatment that contains highly concentrated levels of platelets. When injected, the platelets secrete growth factors stimulating your body's natural cell regrowth process.

PRP has been used for decades to help speed healing after surgery and for musculoskeletal injuries such as ligament tears or joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. It’s also an effective anti-aging therapy for the skin, improving skin texture and appearance. 

For hair loss, your Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center provider injects PRP into the scalp via a microneedling procedure. This triggers new hair growth from specialized cells in the follicles. Depending on the cause of your hair loss, Dr. Sasaki may also recommend injecting processed fat cells enriched with PRP into your scalp or combining PRP with mesenchymal stem cells.

What happens during PRP treatments?

PRP comes from a sample of your blood obtained during an in-office visit. The sample is placed in a centrifuge machine that rapidly spins the blood to separate the platelets and plasma from other blood components. The PRP is then collected and applied to your scalp.

For optimal results, Dr. Sasaki recommends a series of four PRP treatment sessions spaced one month apart and then one treatment every four months for a year. Most patients notice improved hair growth about three months after the first treatment. 

Is PRP for hair loss effective?

Dr. Sasaki is a consultant and clinical investigator in using PRP in aesthetic procedures and has actively researched the safety and effectiveness of stimulating hair growth with PRP.

He is also president-elect of the Aesthetic Stem Cell Society and a recognized leader in stem cell research. In addition, he has published more than 15 manuscripts regarding the safety and effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma and other groundbreaking hair restoration therapies. 

Dr. Sasaki notes that results can vary, but most people experience significant new hair growth with PRP treatments within three months of starting treatment.

Schedule an evaluation today for more information about hair restoration treatments at Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center.