Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD PRP, or platelet rich plasma shots have been a celebrity hair growth secret for a few years now. But with growing scientific evidence, PRP shots for hair loss are now being offered by more and more dermatologists, and this former celebrity hair growth secret is becoming increasingly available to the rest of us!
Is PRP a Celebrity Hair Growth Secret?
There are a number of studies that show that PRP can be helpful for hair loss. In past studies about PRP shots, the main focus was on PRP shots being used successfully in famous athletes to help with sports injuries, and to help treat arthritis. More recently, PRP shots have also been used to treat aging skin, melasma, and even acne scars! In a study about PRP shots, the authors found that in 40 patients with androgenetic alopecia treated with PRP scalp injections, a statistically significant number of them had increases in their hair growth!
Are PRP Shots a Miracle Treatment?
The majority of the studies on PRP treatment for hair loss have focused on using it to treat a specific (but very common) type of hair loss—genetic hair loss, or male and female pattern hair loss. There are many other types of hair loss out there, including CCCA (central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia) which is common in African American women. The evidence that PRP works for other types of hair loss is lacking.
Why are PRP Shots Popular?
PRP is NOT a drug. It’s your own blood, spun down and re-injected into your scalp. It’s considered a biologic product. PRP is chock full of potent growth factors with names like platelet derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor. These growth factors act like a ‘healing cocktail’ for injured or aged tissue. They stimulate new tissue growth and repair. They also seem to stimulate new and thicker hair growth.
Even better, since PRP is an injection of your own blood, it seems to be quite safe, with very few reported side effects. How exactly is PRP performed? Check out this post which goes into more detail on how PRP shots are done in the office.
PRP Results
Dermatologists get hair loss too! Prominent Minnesota dermatologist, Dr. Charles Crutchfield, III, posted his own amazing results using PRP to help treat his alopecia. His PRP results were published in the journal, Practical Dermatology, and show stunning increases in his hair thickness and growth after only 2 PRP injections, spaced one month apart!
Is PRP Right for Me?
If you’re dealing with hair loss, remember to always start with an evaluation with your dermatologist. Before finding a physician to perform PRP for you, it’s important to find out what type of hair loss you’re dealing with. Remember, your hair loss may be female pattern; but hair loss can also be caused by other issues like low biotin, CCCA, and even underlying medical conditions. Also, remember that there are other types of (significantly cheaper) treatments for female and male pattern hair loss, like FDA approved minoxidil, which can be helpful in treating hair loss too.
Credit: Photo Courtesy Practical Dermatology and Charles E. Crutchfield, III, MD
