Non-Surgical Hair Growth Treatments
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
There are many benefits of using non-surgical PRP treatments to promote healing for hair growth by generating new hair growth, thickening thinned out hair, and making hair transplants grow thicker and healthier. Hair follicles survive on the nutrition they get from their blood supply. If we introduce platelets (PRP) in the area of damaged hair follicles, it amplifies the body’s naturally occurring wound healing mechanism.
Although blood is mainly a liquid (called plasma), it also contains small solid components (red cells, white cells, and platelets.) The platelets are best known for their importance in clotting blood. However, platelets also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors which are very important for tissue regeneration to help the healing process and increase blood circulation.
PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. The concentration of platelets — and, thereby, the concentration of growth factors — can be 5 to 10 times greater (or richer) than usual. PRP has been used in medicine for the last two decades. The use of PRP to treat hair loss has the potential to change the way hair loss is treated around the world as it’s a revolutionary, new treatment for hair loss. Dr. Hochman is on the cutting edge with its use for the growth of thinning hair and transplanted hair.
In the surgery center a small amount of the patient’s venous blood is drawn and using a centrifuge isolates the other blood cells from a platelet concentrate, embedded in its own plasma. The entire process takes less then 10 minutes. Since it is processed from the patient’s own blood, there is no risk of allergy or rejection with this treatment.
The rich concentration of platelets now has to be applied to the scalp where hair loss has begun in one of two ways. Therefore, preparing the scalp to receive the PRP is necessary. For this, the scalp is stimulated to activate the wound healing process. Topical anesthesia is applied on the portion of the scalp where PRP will be introduced.
Micro-Needling
The first method to prepare the scalp for PRP application, utilizes a special micro-needling device–the PRPen. This device provides a sophisticated delivery system which causes micro-trauma to the lower layer of the scalp that induces other healing and growth repair cells into action. The PRPen features a needle tip with “12 microneedles” that penetrate the skin with a series of vertical “stamps”. Since it uses less pressure, the pain is minimal. Immediately, the highly concentrated PRP is injected in many different areas of the scalp.
The new micro-needling device product is a medical breakthrough for physicians to utilize because it causes the patient much less pain then similar products used in the past. This device also saves a doctor much needed time when performing this form of treatment, so it saves you money. Virtually no discomfort is experienced. You can return to your normal activity almost immediately, but your scalp needs protection from the sun and excessive irritation.
Although this technique is effective for both men and women, it is especially successful for those with more mildly thinning hair. Barely 5 percent of women are said to be good candidates for hair transplant surgery because women lose hair everywhere, meaning that, unlike with men, there is rarely a luxuriant spot on the back of the head from which to harvest hairs unobtrusively.
Injections
The second method is the use of spaced needle injections into the balding, thinning areas for more severe hair loss cases.
Patient are not advised not to take any anti-inflammatory medication since it may interfere in the natural healing process of PRP. Patients occasionally have to receive this treatment multiple times before they can see significant results. Some patients may only have to receive this therapy once a year
Follicle Saturation
The third method using Protein Rich Plasma in hair regrowth is to extract the plasma from the patient and as the follicles are removed from the donor site with the NeoGraft FUE extraction, they are saturated in the PRP until being implanted. In this way the follicles absorb the growth factors, are strengthened and rapid growth is encouraged.
Advantages of PRP Therapy are:
- Simple, non surgical procedure
- Multiple Injections: procedure lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes
- Safe and reliable results
- Very quick recovery period.
- Beautiful and above all extremely natural looking end results
However, not everyone is an ideal candidate to undergo this procedure. Patients who have an active infection in the scalp, history of a viral infection like shingles, diabetes, any clotting disorder, or patients who are on blood-thinning medications like aspirin and immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporine are not candidates for this procedure.
Also, if hair follicles are completely lost, this procedure is less likely to help patients. Patients may need to opt for hair transplant surgery.
NeoLTS Light Therapy
by NeoGraft® the newest and most sophisticated Professional Grade LED light therapy system. This LED light has a dramatic effect on hair and skin on a cellular level by stimulating the cells and speeding up the growth/healing process, particularly when used in conjunction with PRP Treatments.
A series of NeoLTS Therapy sessions offers an alternative and is also an excellent way to increase growth in thinning hair where hair replacement is not necessary or desired. (This therapy will not regrow hair in bald areas.) Findings are that approximately 70% of hair follicles go from resting phase to growing phase after the completed series of sessions.
Usually before and after the completion of the PRP applications through micro-needling, injections or surgery, you will be treated with the congruent NeoLTS Light Therapy, developed by NeoGraft. NeoLTS is a premier non-invasive treatment “CLINICALLY PROVEN TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF HAIR AND SKIN”. This 20 minute session under the red, blue and near infrared wavelengths is paired with the procedure because the lights help accelerate the healing process and aid in strengthening and improving the appearance of your hair. We encourage our patients to return for a series of treatments for the best and fastest results. Visit NeoLTS.com to learn more!
The NeoLTS Light Therapy System is also cleared by the FDA to treat a variety of skin care conditions:
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- Vanishes periorbital wrinkles
- Increases the skin’s collagen and elastin
- Reduces inflammatory acne
- Lightens age spots, sun spots and dark circles
- Improves skin tone and clarity
- Stimulates tissue production
- Reduces redness and inflammation
- Scientifically proven to reduce the signs of aging
- Improves the appearance of fuller, thicker, stronger hair
NeoLTS results