Hair loss is one of the most common signs of aging. Around 80% of men and almost 50% of women start losing their hair at some point. In recent decades, innovative and minimally invasive treatment methods have been developed, so you can get your thick head of hair back without having to undergo surgery. At Revive MD Center in Glen Allen, VA, we offer PRP hair restoration, a simple yet effective treatment that uses your own body’s healing powers.
How Long Does PRP Hair Restoration Take?
One PRP injection isn’t usually enough to regrow a patient’s hair. Most people need three to six sessions, each one month apart, to fully benefit from treatment. This is because the injections are cumulative, and each new one builds on the results of the previous treatment. Because not all hair follicles are in the growth stage at the same time, treatment always takes at least three months.
When you come for your initial consultation, we’ll examine your hair and let you know how many appointments are necessary. Usually, patients start to see results at the three-month mark. However, some people’s bodies take longer to adjust, and they might not see great results until six to twelve months after their first session.
Will I Need Maintenance Sessions?
Most patients who suffer from hair loss related to aging need to get maintenance sessions once their first round of treatment is complete. This is because the aging process is continuous, so the patient’s condition might deteriorate again. Those who have androgenetic alopecia might also have to come back because this genetic issue doesn’t go away on its own, and there is no long-term cure.
We’ll let you know how often you need to come in. Generally, one or two sessions a year are enough to maintain your excellent results. This is easily manageable for almost everyone because each appointment only takes a few minutes, and you won’t have to spend time off work to recover.
What Happens During the Appointment?
When you arrive, we’ll take some of your blood and spin it in a centrifuge to create the PRP. This will take around ten minutes. Then, we’ll mark the injection sites and apply numbing cream to your treatment area. As soon as the PRP substance is ready, it is injected into your scalp. You can then get cleaned up and leave the clinic.
How To Prepare
We’ll give you a list of substances that could thin your blood and therefore make the healing process harder. It’s important to avoid these for a few days before your session unless there is a medical reason why you need them. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also contraindicated because they inhibit the mechanism by which PRP works, so the treatment won’t be effective if you keep taking them.
Avoid excessive exposure to heat or sunlight in the week leading up to treatment. If you get sunburned, you won’t be able to take part, and you’ll need to postpone your session. Drink 8-10 oz of water the day before treatment, and eat a normal breakfast the morning of your appointment. Wash your hair thoroughly, but don’t apply gel, spray, or other haircare products.
How To Recover
You don’t need to stay for observation after your session. Instead, you’ll go home or back to work right away. Don’t touch the treatment area for at least eight hours, and use the pH-neutral hair care products we recommend for three days. Avoid vigorous exercise, exposing your skin to direct sunlight, and saunas or other places that heat up your skin in the two days after your session.
Drink plenty of water to keep your tissues hydrated and support the recovery process. You’ll also need to avoid certain substances, like blood-thinning medication, alcohol, and drugs.
Getting the Best Results Possible
There are several things you can do to make sure your results are excellent. Most importantly, follow all our guidelines, and use only the hair products that we suggest. Some shampoos and conditioners contain chemicals that aren’t appropriate for you while treatment is ongoing. Avoid all hairstyles that pull on your hair follicles, since they could encourage your hair to fall out.
High-heat hair styling tools are also best avoided because they could dehydrate your hair and therefore make it more difficult for it to grow. We will speak to you about the kind of brush to use. Soft, natural fibers are usually best, as they promote healthy levels of oils in your hair. Make sure to eat berries, spinach, nuts, seeds, avocados, and sweet potatoes. These foods contain vitamins and minerals that support healthy hair growth.
Am I a Good Candidate?
PRP hair restoration is appropriate for a wide range of people who are worried about the density of their hair or experiencing hair loss. You can take part in treatment even if you have a medical condition, or you take prescription medication, as long as PRP won’t interfere with your treatment. Before starting PRP therapy, it’s important to think about whether you’re dedicated to the process and willing to come back once or twice a year for maintenance sessions.
You Are Suffering from a Certain Kind of Hair Loss
Both men and women can have PRP treatment if they are experiencing hair loss due to the natural aging process or if they have alopecia. Treatment works best when it is started early, before the patient has lost the majority of their hair. It doesn’t work on those who are completely bald or have bald spots, where the hair follicles are no longer functional.
You’ll also be a good candidate for PRP therapy if your hair loss was caused by stress. As long as you address the underlying cause of your stress, this condition is reversible and temporary, so you might not need to have any maintenance sessions after your initial course of treatment.
You Are in Good Health
PRP is a natural substance derived from your own body, so it doesn’t cause any allergies or other side effects. Despite this, we need to have a look at your medical records before approving you for treatment. Bring information about your medical history, the drugs you take, and allergies you suffer from. The more we know about your background, the better we can tailor the therapy to your unique needs.
If you’re currently getting treated for a serious medical condition, you’ll need to speak to your primary physician about taking part in PRP therapy. The doctor will let you know whether this is safe for you or whether it might interfere with your treatment. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not good candidates, and they will need to wait until their child is older.
You Are Dedicated to Treatment
Unless your hair loss is caused by a temporary issue like stress, you’ll have to come back to the clinic regularly. Otherwise, your results will start to fade after a year or two. We’ll discuss this with you and ask you whether you are ready to commit to being treated for many years.
We’ll also tell you what you have to do before and after each session, so you can determine whether this is doable for you. Since the preparation and aftercare routines are minimal, most patients don’t have any trouble following our guidelines.
What Else Is PRP Used For?
PRP is a very versatile substance that can be used to treat a wide variety of cosmetic and medical concerns. Aside from hair restoration, it can treat other symptoms of aging like wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin in the face. At the clinic, we offer PRP facials, PRP in combination with dermal fillers, and a PRP facelift with exosomes.
Because this treatment is so gentle, it can be used on multiple body parts at the same time. If you’d like to enhance your facial features and achieve a youthful glow, don’t hesitate to let us know. You might be able to combine hair loss therapy with a facial or facelift. When you get two or more treatments at once, you save both time and money.
Get Back Your Thick Head of Hair Now
If you’ve started losing your hair, don’t hesitate to come to the clinic. The earlier you start PRP hair restoration, the better this minimally invasive treatment method works. Get in touch with us at Revive MD Center in Glen Allen, VA to book your initial consultation. We look forward to welcoming you to the clinic and designing a customized rejuvenation plan for you.
