In the world of aesthetics, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be best known as an in-office treatment for skin aging, helping turn back time on issues like wrinkles and skin laxity. But PRP is also widely used to treat hair loss, including hair thinning that tends to happen as you age.
Aging affects hair loss in different ways. As you age, your cells don’t repair themselves as well or as efficiently, which means your hair follicles won’t produce hair the same way they did when you were younger. Hormonal shifts, changes in the hair growth cycle, and even circulation issues can also play a role.
At South Lake Medical Spa, Nicole Casavant, PA-C, and our team use PRP to treat hair loss in women and men from Clermont, Florida, using a customized, patient-centered approach for optimal results. If you’re concerned about hair loss or hair thinning, here’s what you should know about state-of-the-art PRP treatment.
The basics of hair loss
Nearly everyone will experience some degree of hair loss as they get older. While acute stress and chronic illness can cause hair loss, hair loss related to aging typically involves different factors.
Hormonal changes
You produce fewer hormones as you age. Declining hormone levels can directly affect hair growth, resulting in slower hair growth and changes in follicle activity. Hormonal shifts can also cause your hair strands to feel and look finer than they used to.
Follicle changes
Age also affects follicle production. When you’re young, your hair follicles are more active and can support robust hair growth. But with age, your follicles slow down, and some stop producing hair entirely.
Changes in the hair growth cycle
Hair grows in a cycle that begins when your follicle produces a new strand and ends when that strand falls out — typically years later. Research shows aging shortens this cycle, which means your hair sheds or falls out more quickly.
Decreased circulation
Hair follicles depend on a steady supply of nutrients to retain their normal function. As you age, circulation issues cause a decline in blood flow, affecting your follicles’ function and activity.
How PRP works
PRP is a product derived from your blood. Plasma refers to the liquid part of your blood, and platelets are cell fragments that contain proteins called growth factors. These proteins play a vital role in healing.
PRP treatment begins with a small sample of your blood that we process in a centrifuge to separate the plasma and platelets from the rest of your blood. The resulting solution contains highly concentrated amounts of platelets and growth factors.
The concentrated solution triggers regenerative processes that help repair damaged follicles and stimulate cell development. Since we derive PRP from your own blood, you don’t need to worry about allergic reactions, and treatments can be performed on an outpatient basis in our office without anesthesia or sutures.
PRP treatment for hair loss
PRP is an excellent option for people with age-related hair loss and hair thinning. The high concentration of growth factors can help improve hair growth by supporting your follicles — specifically, by reversing some of the effects of aging. We inject PRP directly into your scalp, delivering those special proteins right where they’re needed.
PRP also helps stabilize the hair growth cycle, which can cause premature hair shedding and loss. Healthier follicles also produce stronger, thicker hair, so your hair doesn’t break as easily.
PRP injections also promote circulation in the tiny blood vessels that supply your follicles with nutrients. Over time, improved circulation triggers healthier follicle activity, giving follicles the help they need to thwart the damaging effects of aging and maintain normal activity.
Find out if PRP is right for you
Hair loss affects your physical appearance but can also take an emotional toll. If you’re dealing with thinning hair, PRP could be the solution you’re looking for. To learn more about PRP treatment for hair loss, call 352-656-6680 or book an appointment online with our team at South Lake Medical Spa today.
