PRP Treatments

Infographic Thinning hair and baldness are topics that no man wants to think or talk about. Don’t worry, you are not alone! Male pattern baldness is something that many, many men will encounter in their lifetimes.

Male pattern baldness is a real thing and at some point, it has to be faced. Unfortunately, it happens to some of us sooner than we hope or expect. More than half of men will notice male pattern baldness before they turn 35. No one aged 35 is old — so there is no reason to start looking older than you are.

In the last few years, there have been several new treatments for hair loss and hair regrowth that work very well. The most important thing is to take the first step by taking action against thinning hair.

The biggest problem I encounter with male pattern baldness is that men tend to stress and not discuss their hair loss with a dermatologist, leaving them with no ability to change their outcome. Many times I’ve found that it isn’t because they don’t care or are lazy — they just don’t know that there are things they can do to slow down the process and even help some of the hair grow back.

If you are noticing male pattern baldness, here are your options:

  • You can be in denial (first stage of grief)
  • You can hope that the hair magically grows back
  • You can obsess about it but not actually act on it
  • Or, you can come see a dermatologist and learn more about your options — (in case you were wondering, this is my recommendation)

One of the options that is getting a lot of buzz recently is platelet rich plasma, also known as PRP. In this article, we’ll look at the science behind PRP to help you understand how it works, why it is effective, and if it is worth considering.

The Science Behind PRP & Hair Growth

PRP has been used for many years in oral, orthopedic, and sports medicine. Over the last few years, PRP has been shown to prevent hair loss and helps regrow “lost” hairs in male pattern baldness.

Hair follicles need nutrients to survive, just like the rest of our body. If you inject your own blood (i.e. PRP) into the “dying” hair follicles, you can bring them back to “life.” PRP gives nutrients to your hair follicles and increases blood circulation in the scalp using your own body’s natural healing abilities.

On the Day of Treatment

PRP involves drawing small amounts of your blood from your arm. This process is the same as if you have ever donated blood, except with a far less charitable donation. The extracted blood is run through a centrifuge which spins your blood around and produces a liquid rich in platelets and essential growth proteins, which are then injected into thinning areas of your scalp.

We will typically apply a numbing cream before the treatment to try to make it as painless as possible.

After the treatment is done, you have no restrictions after the treatment and you can definitely resume your normal activities immediately after the treatment.

How Safe is PRP?

It has been proven to be safe and effective with no side effects in numerous studies. Since it is your own blood used in PRP therapy, there is no chance that your body can reject it or react negatively to it. If you want to avoid chemicals, medications, or anything that seems not natural, PRP would be a good option for you.

Furthermore, if you are already using other hair treatments (e.g. Rogaine), PRP can help boost those treatments for better results.

There is no need to ignore, accept, or stress about your male pattern baldness when PRP treatments are so simple!

At NorCal Dermatology Group in Berkeley, we believe in the importance of simplicity in any skincare treatment or regimen. Our experience in skincare allowed us to custom tailor solutions for patients to help them maintain healthier, simpler skin.

At NorCal Dermatology Group, we provide:

  • Cutting-edge skincare treatments
  • Weekend appointments
  • Short wait times
  • Personalized care and attention
  • Convenient parking
  • A wide range of accepted health plans

To book an appointment with our team to learn more about NorCal Dermatology Group, call 510-646-8065 today!

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