Aesthetic medicine professionals of Doral, Florida share the 411 on treating hair loss.
One benign physical condition that has caused both men and women to be self-conscious for centuries is alopecia or hair loss.
Both sexes can be impacted by it, affecting a person’s self-esteem. In the past, the only way to treat it was to cover it up somehow, but science has come a long way, and many people can regain lost locks through various treatment methods.
A combination of treatments is often recommended for the best results. This article will discuss the reasons for hair loss and some of the most effective treatments, including PRP injections.
Causes of Significant Hair Loss
Many factors can contribute to hair loss. The most common reason is hormonal hair loss or what is known as androgenetic hair loss. This is the typical loss starting either at the front of the head or the crown and moving outward. Some other reasons for hair loss include:
- Stress
- Auto-immune conditions
- Scarring
Most types of hair loss can be treated in some way, although some types are less likely than others to see any results. Because androgenetic alopecia is the most common type, it is the one that is most targeted and most responsive to treatment.
Effective Treatments for Hair Loss
Not all types of hair loss have effective treatments. Scarring, for example, often destroys the hair follicles and cannot be recovered. It also may take more than one type of treatment to regain hair growth to a point that the client finds satisfactory.
Let’s look at some of the hair loss treatments available in today’s market:
- Topical Treatments: Rogaine is the most well-known topical treatment for hair loss. It is often well-received for androgenetic alopecia.
- Oral Medication: The pill Propecia is another form of hair regrowth drug. Again, it mainly treats androgenetic alopecia.
- IMPORTANT: Please consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication, topical or oral.
- Hair Transplants: These can be used to treat almost any form of hair loss, although as with any surgery, there can be complications.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Injections: These use the body’s own healing resources to help stimulate hair growth. They are safe in most cases and can be paired with other treatments.
All of these treatments have benefits and risks, but PRP has been found to be very effective both alone and in combination with other treatments.
What is PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma, and How Does it Work?
Plasma is the liquid part of blood and carries the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets where they need to go. Platelets are often thought of as the part of the blood that causes clotting. While this is true, recent discoveries have shown that platelets do more than stop bleeding. They stimulate healing and cell regrowth and have been used successfully to treat thrombocytopenia.
To create PRP, plasma has to be put through a centrifuge to isolate the platelets, and then more platelets can be added, creating a much higher concentration of these amazing components. The plasma and platelets in each treatment are harvested directly from the patient via a blood draw. After the centrifuge process, the PRP will be superficially injected into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.
The Benefits of PRP
Any aesthetic treatment has risks and benefits, but let’s look at the positive side of things first:
- PRP uses the client’s blood for the procedure, which limits immune reaction.
- The appointments are brief and must only happen a few times a year.
- Almost every study on PRP for hair loss showed a significant increase in hair density for the patients who were given PRP compared to the placebo.
- There is minimal discomfort and recovery is quick.
The Risks of PRP
As with any medical procedure, there are always risks involved in platelet-rich plasma injection. Side effects are always a possibility, but are rare and temporary.
- It can cause headaches, redness, and irritation as a side effect, though these are temporary.
- It can be unsafe for people with auto-immune conditions.
Platelet-rich plasma injections are not a viable option for everyone, but they are proving to be an effective treatment for hair loss, and more research is being done on their remarkable properties.
When you come in for a consultation, our nurse practitioner will assess your hair loss and create a treatment plan to help address your concerns.
About FaceBeauty Med Spa in Doral
In Doral, FL near the Miami International Airport, FaceBeauty Med Spa offers bilingual service in English and Spanish and a clean and safe facility. This medical spa is rated 5 stars and highly trusted by its clients for aesthetic treatments. Call today to set up a free consultation.
