Platelets are one of four primary components of blood (the other three are red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma). Platelets promote cell growth and regeneration. As the term “platelet-rich plasma” suggests, platelets aregenerally about five times more concentrated in PRP than in regular blood. This concentration of platelets is useful, because platelets secrete growth factors which assists in wound healing and tissue regrowth.
When it comes to hair loss, the theory is that platelets, injected deep into the scalp to reach the bottom of the hair follicle, may stimulate a specialized population of cells named dermal papilla cells, which play a critical role in hair growth.
Though often associated with aging and genetics, hair loss can happen any time throughout adulthood. Balding occurs when the hair follicles, the small sacs that anchor individual hairs to the scalp, begin to shrink, allowing the hair to fall out.
In the world of sports medicine, doctors have used PRP to help heal muscle and tendon injuries. With hair loss, research suggests injecting the platelets found in a patient’s blood and activating growth factors can improve the blood supply to their hair follicles and increase the thickness of their hair shafts.
PRP+ | Basic PRP |
---|---|
High platelet count | Low platelet count |
Contamination free | Generally gets contaminated with RBC |
PRP + releases more platelets and growth factors more quickly | Basic PRP releases platelets and growth factors more slowly after injection |
Re-structures the grafts and helps in thickening of hair shafts and re-growth of deep rooted hairs | Basic PRP releases platelets and growth factors more slowly after injection |
Visible results within 4 sessions | Requires 10 to 12 sessions to see 25% results |
Works well on high DHT levels | Sometimes it doesn’t work on high DHT levels |
Packed with 7 growth factors | Contains mostly only 3 growth factors |
Platelets are activated before centrifugation | No assurance of platelet activation |
No pain | More pain and inflammation |